맛있게 드세요
masitge deuseyo[ma̠ɕʰit̚k͈e̞ tɯsʰe̞jo]
The English phrase "enjoy your dinner" is translated into Korean as 맛있게 드세요 (masitge deuseyo).
맛있게 드세요 is often used by restaurant staff when serving customers or by a host to their guests. You can also use the casual phrase 저녁식사 잘 해 to say "enjoy your dinner" in intimate settings like among friends or family.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 맛있게 드세요 literally means "Eat deliciously", composed of 맛있게 (deliciously) and 드세요 (please eat/consume).
Which one should you use?
While 맛있게 드세요 is polite, you may encounter 맛있게 먹어, which is the casual/informal version used with younger people or close friends. Similarly, 저녁식사 잘 해 is an informal way to say "enjoy your dinner". The word for "dinner" itself is 저녁식사.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
맛있게 드세요 is a polite and respectful expression suitable for use with elders, acquaintances or customers. In contrast, 저녁식사 잘 해 and 맛있게 먹어 are informal options.
Did you know?
- Korean culture often uses the word 식사 ('meal') to ask if someone has eaten as a way of saying 'hello' or showing care.
- The verb 드시다 used in 드세요 is a 'suppletive' honorific, meaning it replaces the standard verb 먹다 entirely rather than just adding a suffix.
- If you are eating a meal provided by someone much older or of higher status, it is often considered more polite to wait for them to take the first bite before you begin your own 'delicious' meal.
Examples in context
- 맛있게 드세요.masitge deuseyo.Enjoy your dinner.
- 정성껏 준비했으니 맛있게 드세요.jeongseongkkeot junbihaesseuni masitge deuseyo.I prepared this with care, so please enjoy your dinner.
- 자, 다들 맛있게 드세요!ja, dadeul masitge deuseyo!Now, everyone, enjoy your dinner!
Example conversation
Jihoon serves a homemade meal to Minji.
- 지훈 Ji-hun민지 씨, 맛있게 드세요.Minji-ssi, masitge deuseyo.Minji, please enjoy your dinner.
- 민지 Min-ji고마워요, 지훈 씨. 정말 맛있겠어요!gomawoyo, Jihoon-ssi. jeongmal masitgesseoyo!Thank you, Jihoon. It looks delicious!
- 지훈 Ji-hun입맛에 맞았으면 좋겠어요.immat-e majasseumyeon joket-seoyo.I hope it suits your taste.
- 민지 Min-ji네, 잘 먹을게요.ne, jal meogeulgeyo.Yes, I will enjoy it.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 맛있게 드세요, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
