What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 밥 (bap), meaning rice or a meal and 먹었어요? (meogeosseoyo), the past tense of the verb to eat.
Which one should you use?
밥 먹었어요? is a slightly more polite version of 밥 먹었어? used with acquaintances in casual settings. For a more casual tone among close friends or people younger than you, use 밥 먹었어? If you need to be formal or respectful, such as when speaking to elders or superiors, use 식사 하셨어요? or the more formal 식사 하셨습니까? and 식사했습니까?
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The informal 밥 먹었어? is used with close friends or people younger than you. The polite 밥 먹었어요? is used with acquaintances in casual settings. The more formal and respectful way to ask the same question, suitable for elders or superiors, is 식사 하셨어요? The highly formal 식사 하셨습니까? and 식사했습니까? are formal ways to ask if someone has eaten.
How do you pronounce it?
bap meogeosseoyo?
When do people say it?
In Korean culture, asking if someone has eaten is a common way to express care and affection rather than a literal inquiry into their hunger. A standard positive response to this question 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 Korea, the phrase 밥 먹었어? can be used to subtly reconcile with someone after a fight without ever actually saying 'I am sorry'.
- The word 밥 is likely a mimetic term originating from baby-talk, similar to how children in other cultures use 'mama' or 'papa' for food.
- Even if you have actually eaten a sandwich or noodles, you might still answer 네, 밥 먹었어요 because 밥 serves as a generic term for any meal.
Examples in context
- 식사 하셨습니까?Have you eaten yet?
- 아니오, 아직 식사를 하지 않았어요.No, I haven't eaten yet.
- 밥 먹었어?Have you eaten?
- 아직 안 먹었어. 같이 먹을까?I haven't eaten yet. Shall we eat together?
- 수빈 씨, 밥 먹었어요?Subin-ssi, bap meogeosseoyo?Subin, have you eaten yet?
- 아직요, 밥 먹었어요?ajik-yo, bap meogeosseoyo?Not yet, have you eaten yet?
Example conversation
Subin and Jihun meet in the office hallway during lunch break.
- 수빈 Su-bin지훈 씨, 밥 먹었어요?Jihun-ssi, bap meogeosseoyo?Jihun, have you eaten yet?
- 지훈 Ji-hun아니요, 아직 안 먹었어요.aniyo, ajik an meogeosseoyo.No, I haven't eaten yet.
- 수빈 Su-bin그럼 같이 먹으러 갈까요?geureom gatchi meogeureo galkkayo?Then shall we go eat together?
- 지훈 Ji-hun네, 좋아요!ne, joayo!Yes, sounds good!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 밥, CC BY-SA 4.0.
