What does it mean word for word?
밥 means "cooked rice" or "meal," and 먹어 is the casual imperative form of the verb meaning "to eat."
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
밥 먹어 is an informal expression used only with people of equal or lower social status, such as close friends or younger siblings. For a more polite approach when speaking to someone older or of higher social status, you should use 잘 드세요 (please eat well). To express a friendly "eat well" among friends, family or those in the same age group, you can use 잘 먹어.
How does it change in a sentence?
You can create a stronger, more authoritative command by adding the suffix –라 to the verb stem, resulting in 먹어라. This form is often used by elders when speaking to children.
How do you pronounce it?
bap meogeo
When do people say it?
In Korean culture, the concept of rice is central to many social interactions. For example, asking if someone has "eaten rice" (밥 먹었어?) is a common way to show care or ask how someone is doing.
Did you know?
Examples in context
- 잘 드세요! 식사하세요.Eat well! Please have your meal.
- 고객 여러분께서는 식사를 잊지 마시고 드십시오.Dear customers, please don't forget to eat your meal.
- 잘 먹어! 식사해.Eat well! Have your meal.
- 밥 먹어! 너 지금 배고프지?Eat your food! Are you hungry right now?
- 밥 먹어.bap meogeo.Eat your food.
- 식기 전에 밥 먹어.sikgi jeone bap meogeo.Eat your food before it gets cold.
- 빨리 밥 먹어.ppalli bap meogeo.Eat your food quickly.
Example conversation
Hyunwoo and Minji are sitting at the dining table together.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo민지야, 밥 먹어.Minji-ya, bap meogeo.Minji, eat your food.
- 민지 Min-ji응, 지금 먹을게.Eung, jigeum meogeulge.Okay, I will eat now.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo천천히 밥 먹어.cheoncheonhi bap meogeo.Eat your food slowly.
- 민지 Min-ji고마워, 현우야.Gomawo, Hyunwoo-ya.Thanks, Hyunwoo.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 밥, CC BY-SA 4.0.
