What does it mean word for word?
The phrase contains 아침, which means both "morning" and "breakfast".
Which one should you use?
For more formal situations, such as when speaking to someone in a higher position or an elder, use the honorific form 아침 드셨어요? For casual conversations with friends, family or peers of a similar age, use the informal version 아침 먹었어?
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
아침 드셨어요? is the polite/honorific version used to show respect to elders or superiors. 아침 먹었어? is the casual/informal version used with friends or people younger than you.
How do you pronounce it?
achim meogeosseoyo?
When do people say it?
In Korea, asking if someone has eaten is often used as a friendly way to say "hello" or to show care for their well-being. If someone asks you this, a standard positive response is 네, 먹었어요 (Yes, I ate) and a standard negative response is 아니요, 아직 안 먹었어요 (No, I haven't eaten yet).
Did you know?
- In historical Korean texts from 1447, the word for breakfast was written as 아ᄎᆞᆷ, utilizing a Middle Korean vowel that has since disappeared from the modern language.
- In some regional dialects, you may encounter the word 아적 (ajeok) instead of 아침 to refer to the 'morning'.
Examples in context
- 안녕하세요! 아침 드셨어요?Hello! Have you eaten breakfast?
- 안녕! 아침 먹었어?Hey! Have you eaten breakfast?
- 아침 먹었어요?achim meogeosseoyo?Have you eaten breakfast?
- 혹시 아침 먹었어요?hoksi achim meogeosseoyo?By any chance, have you eaten breakfast?
- 지훈 씨, 아침 먹었어요?Jihoon ssi, achim meogeosseoyo?Jihoon, have you eaten breakfast?
Example conversation
Jihoon and Seoyeon meet in the hallway at work in the morning.
- 지훈 Ji-hun서연 씨, 아침 먹었어요?Seoyeon ssi, achim meogeosseoyo?Seoyeon, have you eaten breakfast?
- 서연 Seo-yeon아니요, 아직 안 먹었어요.aniyo, ajik an meogeosseoyo.No, I haven't eaten yet.
- 지훈 Ji-hun그럼 같이 먹으러 갈까요?geureom gachi meogeureo galkkayo?Then, shall we go eat together?
- 서연 Seo-yeon네, 좋아요!ne, joayo!Yes, that sounds good!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 아침, CC BY-SA 4.0.
