How to Say "Enjoy Your Food" in Korean

맛있게 드세요

masitge deuseyo[ma̠ɕʰit̚k͈e̞ tɯsʰe̞jo]

In Korean, "enjoy your food" is expressed as 맛있게 드세요 (masitge deuseyo).

The phrase is used to wish someone a pleasant meal before they begin eating. It literally translates to "Please eat deliciously."

What does it mean word for word?

맛있게 means "deliciously" and 드세요 is the honorific form of "to eat".

맛있게 드세요 is the polite way to say "Enjoy your food", whereas 맛있게 먹어 is used for "Eat deliciously" in a casual context.

The verb 드세요 is the honorific form of 먹다 (to eat), which is used to show respect to the person eating.

masitge deuseyo

When someone says 맛있게 드세요 to you, a natural response is 잘 먹겠습니다 (I will eat well) to express gratitude before you start eating.

The honorific verb 드시다 used in 드세요 is so respectful that using it for yourself would be considered a humorous or arrogant mistake.
While 맛있게 드세요 is used by servers or hosts, it is uncommon for dining companions of equal social status to say it to each other before a meal.
If you are eating alone, you do not need to say 맛있게 드세요 to anyone, but many Koreans still say 잘 먹겠습니다 to themselves or the food out of habit or respect.

맛있게 드세요.
masitge deuseyo.
Enjoy your food.
준비 다 됐어요. 맛있게 드세요!
junbi da dwaesseoyo. masitge deuseyo!
Everything is ready. Enjoy your meal!
식사 맛있게 드세요.
siksa masitge deuseyo.
Please enjoy your meal.

Minji serves dinner to Dohyun at home.

민지 Min-ji

도현 씨, 저녁 다 됐어요. 맛있게 드세요.
Do-hyeon ssi, jeo-nyeok da dwaet-eo-yo. mas-it-ge deu-se-yo.
Dohyun, dinner is ready. Enjoy your meal.
도현 Do-hyeon

고마워요, 민지 씨. 정말 맛있어 보여요.
go-ma-wo-yo, Min-ji ssi. jeong-mal mas-it-eo bo-yeo-yo.
Thank you, Minji. It looks delicious.
민지 Min-ji

천천히 많이 드세요.
cheon-cheon-hi ma-ni deu-se-yo.
Please take your time and eat a lot.
도현 Do-hyeon

네, 잘 먹겠습니다!
ne, jal meok-get-seum-ni-da!
Yes, I will eat well!

Sources

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