맛있게 드세요
masitge deuseyo[ma̠ɕʰit̚k͈e̞ tɯsʰe̞jo]
To say "enjoy the meal" in Korean, you use 맛있게 드세요 (masitge deuseyo).
This is a polite expression used to wish someone a pleasant dining experience before they start eating. It is commonly used by servers in restaurants or by a host to guests to signal the start of a meal. While English speakers often say "Enjoy your meal" to a group, 맛있게 드세요 is used whether you are addressing one person or a group of people.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 맛있게 (deliciously) and 드세요 (please eat/honorific form of eat).
Which one should you use?
For highly formal situations, you may use 식사 맛있게 하십시오.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
맛있게 드세요 is a polite and standard way to tell someone to enjoy their meal, suitable for use with elders, customers or acquaintances. In contrast, the informal version 맛있게 먹어 is used only with close friends or people younger than you.
How do you pronounce it?
masitge deuseyo
Did you know?
- If you are eating a meal prepared by someone much older or higher in status, you should avoid saying 맛있게 드세요 to them. Instead, you should simply wait for them to begin eating first.
- When someone says 맛있게 드세요 to you, it is polite to respond by saying 잘 먹겠습니다, which literally means 'I will eat well'.
- The word 맛 in 맛있게 refers to 'taste', and in Korean, this same root is used in terms describing the 'flavor' or 'feel' of a non-food experience, like the 'taste' of a game.
Examples in context
- 친구들, 맛있게 드세요.Friends, enjoy your meal.
- 준비되었습니다. 맛있게 드세요!junbi-doe-eot-seumnida. masitge deuseyo!It is ready. Enjoy your meal!
Example conversation
A waiter serves a delicious dish to a customer at a restaurant.
- 도현 Do-hyeon주문하신 음식 나왔습니다.jumun-hasin eumsik nawasseumnida.Here is your ordered food.
- 수빈 Su-bin감사합니다. 정말 맛있어 보이네요.gamsahamnida. jeongmal masisseo boineyo.Thank you. It looks delicious.
- 도현 Do-hyeon맛있게 드세요.masitge deuseyo.Enjoy the meal.
- 수빈 Su-bin네, 잘 먹겠습니다.ne, jal meokgessumnida.Yes, I will eat well.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 맛있게 드세요, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
