밥 줘
bap jwo
The English phrase "give me food" is translated into Korean as 밥 줘 (bap jwo).
The phrase is used to make an informal request for a meal or something to eat. You can also request specific items by adding 주세요 to the end of a food name, such as 라면 주세요 (Please give me ramen).
What does it mean word for word?
밥 줘 is composed of 밥 (bap), meaning rice or a meal and 줘 (jwo), which is the informal form of the verb "to give".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a polite request suitable for use with strangers or people older than you, use 밥 주세요. A more formal way to say "Please give me a meal" is 식사를 주세요.
How do you pronounce it?
bap jwo
When do people say it?
In Korean, the word for "rice" (밥) is commonly used as a metonym for "food" or "a meal" in general requests.
Did you know?
- The word 밥 can be used to describe a person's easy target status, as in the phrase 밥이다 ('It is rice'), meaning someone is an easy opponent.
- Because 밥 is so central to Korean identity, asking someone 밥 먹었어? (Have you eaten rice?) is a common way to say 'How are you?' or 'Hello'.
- While 밥 줘 is a request for food, the phrase 밥 한번 먹자 ('Let's eat together sometime') is often used as a polite way to say goodbye without making a concrete plan.
Examples in context
- 배고파, 밥 줘.baegopa, bap jwo.I'm hungry, give me food.
- 엄마, 나 밥 줘.eomma, na bap jwo.Mom, give me food.
- 빨리 밥 줘.ppalli bap jwo.Give me food quickly.
Example conversation
A hungry brother is bothering his older sister at home.
- 지훈 Ji-hun누나, 나 배고파. 밥 줘.nuna, na baegopa. bap jwo.Sis, I'm hungry. Give me food.
- 민지 Min-ji기다려, 지금 만들고 있어.gidaryeo, jigeum mandeulgo isseo.Wait, I'm making it now.
- 지훈 Ji-hun지훈이 너무 배고파!ji-huni neomu baegopa!Ji-hun is so hungry!
- 민지 Min-ji조금만 더 기다려.jogeumman deo gidaryeo.Just wait a little longer.
