먹어
meogeo
The English phrase 'eat it' is translated into Korean as 먹어 (meogeo).
These phrases are used as commands telling someone to consume food. In Korean, the object 'it' is often omitted when it is clear from the context what is being eaten.
Which one should you use?
While 먹어 is the casual imperative form, 드세요 is a polite version and 드십시오 is a more polite and formal version of 드세요.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form 먹어 is used in informal settings with friends or people younger than you. For polite situations, use 드세요. For even higher levels of politeness and formality, use 드십시오.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form 먹어라 is a strong, authoritative command often used in writing or when a superior is speaking to a subordinate.
How do you pronounce it?
meogeo
Did you know?
- A common slang expression 나이 먹다 literally means 'to eat age' but is the standard way to say someone is getting older.
- In many Korean contexts, the verb 먹다, which means 'to eat', is also used idiomically to mean 'to drink' certain types of liquids like medicine or even alcohol. You might hear someone use a variation of 'eat' when they actually mean 'drink'.
- The polite versions of 'eat', such as 드세요, use a completely different root than the casual 먹어. This is because Korean uses 'honorific' verbs that change entirely based on the status of the person being addressed.
Examples in context
- 이것 좀 먹어.igeot jom meogeo.Eat this.
- 빨리 먹어.ppalli meogeo.Eat it quickly.
- 남기지 말고 다 먹어.namgiji malgo da meogeo.Eat it all without leaving any.
Example conversation
Jihoon and Subin are having a snack together at home.
- 지훈 Ji-hun수빈아, 이거 진짜 맛있어. 얼른 먹어.Subin-a, igeo jinjja masisseo. eolleun meogeo.Subin, this is really delicious. Eat it quickly.
- 수빈 Su-bin정말? 그럼 내가 먹어 볼게.Jeongmal? geureom naega meogeo bolge.Really? Then I will try eating it.
- 지훈 Ji-hun응, 맛있게 먹어!Eung, masitge meogeo!Yeah, enjoy your meal!
- 수빈 Su-bin고마워, 지훈아.Gomawo, Jihoon-a.Thanks, Jihoon.
