What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 맛있게 (deliciously) and 드세요 (please eat/consume in a polite form).
Which one should you use?
While 맛있게 드세요 is said to others to wish them a good meal, 잘 먹겠습니다 is said by the person eating to express gratitude before starting the meal.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
There are several ways to express this depending on the social context. The default form 맛있게 드세요 is a polite way to say 'have a good meal' to someone older or of higher status. For a common formal way, you can use 잘 드세요 when speaking to your boss, coworkers or anyone older or in a higher position than you. In professional or formal settings like a business lunch, 식사 맛있게 하세요 is also a formal and polite way to say 'Enjoy your meal'. If you are among peers or people you know well, such as friends or family members, you can use the informal 잘 먹어. Similarly, 맛있게 먹어 is an informal version used with close friends or people younger than you.
How do you pronounce it?
masitge deuseyo
Did you know?
- In Korea, it is customary for the eldest person at the table to pick up their utensils first before anyone else starts eating, regardless of who said 맛있게 드세요.
- In a very casual setting with close friends, you might hear someone say 많이 먹어, which means 'eat a lot'. It is a warm, informal way to encourage someone to enjoy their food.
- The word 맛 in 맛있게 드세요 refers to 'taste', but it is also used in expressions to describe the 'flavor' or 'charm' of a non-food experience.
Examples in context
- 맛있게 드세요!Have a good meal!This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase 맛있게 드세요.Tatoeba #3213663 by cueyayotl, translation #3954047 by KoreanBeaver
- 준비했으니 맛있게 드세요.junbihaesseuni masitge deuseyo.I prepared it, so please have a good meal.
Example conversation
A woman serves a meal to a man at a restaurant.
- 서연 Seo-yeon주문하신 음식 나왔습니다.jumunhasin eumsik nawatseumnida.Here is the food you ordered.
- 민준 Min-jun감사합니다.gamsahamnida.Thank you.
- 서연 Seo-yeon맛있게 드세요.masitge deuseyo.Have a good meal.
- 민준 Min-jun네, 잘 먹겠습니다.ne, jal meokgesseumnida.Yes, I will eat well.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 맛있게 드세요, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
