먹기
meokgi[mʌ̹k̚k͈i]
In Korean, "eating" is 먹기 (meokgi).
The noun 먹기 refers to the act of consuming food.
Meaning: the act of consuming food (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 먹기 is a noun meaning 'the act of eating', it is often used in titles or lists, whereas the verb form 먹다 is used in full sentences. Additionally, 먹음 is a more formal or literary way to express the noun 'eating' compared to 먹기.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun 먹기 is formed by adding the nominalizing suffix –기 to the verb stem 먹-.
How do you pronounce it?
meokgi
Did you know?
- While 먹기 describes the act of eating, the word 먹다 is also used to say you are 'taking' an age. A person does not 'be' 20 years old, they 먹다 20 years.
- When expressing the act of eating with respect to an elder, one must use the honorific verb 드시다 instead of 먹다 to avoid being extremely rude.
- In Korean culture, 'eating' is often used as a proxy for 'asking someone out' or 'hanging out', where a phrase like 'Do you want to eat rice?' is a subtle social invitation.
Examples in context
- 식사하셨습니까?Have you eaten (polite)?
- 할머니는 많이 드셔요.Grandma eats a lot (polite).
- 밥 먹었어?Did you eat? (casual)
Example conversation
Minjun and Subin are talking about their hobbies.
- 민준 Min-jun수빈 씨는 먹기 좋아하는 편인가요?Subin ssineun meokgi joahaneun pyeoningayo?Subin, are you the type who likes eating?
- 수빈 Su-bin네, 저는 맛있는 음식 먹기가 취미예요.ne, jeoneun masinneun eumsik meokgiga chwimiye-yo.Yes, eating delicious food is my hobby.
- 민준 Min-jun저도요. 같이 맛집에 갈까요?jeodoyo. gachi matjibe galggayo?Me too. Shall we go to a famous restaurant together?
- 수빈 Su-bin좋아요. 지금 바로 가요!joayo. jigeum baro gayo!Sounds good. Let's go right now!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “eating” translations and entries 먹기, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
