먹는 것을 좋아해요
meongneun geoseul joahaeyo
In Korean, "I like to eat" is expressed as 먹는 것을 좋아해요 (meongneun geoseul joahaeyo).
This phrase is used to express that you enjoy the activity of eating. You can add the word 정말 (really or truly) before the phrase to emphasize fondness.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is built from the verb 먹다 (to eat), which is turned into the noun phrase 먹는 것 (the act of eating), followed by 을 좋아해요 (to like [object]).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase can be adjusted to fit different social situations. For highly formal settings like business or presentations, use 먹는 것을 좋아합니다. In informal settings, such as when speaking to friends or people younger than you, you can use 먹는 걸 좋아해 or 먹는 것을 좋아해, which involves dropping the -요 at the end.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the noun-modifying suffix -는 to turn the verb 먹다 into a gerund-like form that functions as the object of the sentence.
How do you pronounce it?
meongneun geoseul joahaeyo
Did you know?
- In Korean culture, asking someone if they have eaten (밥 먹었어?) is often used as a general greeting like 'How are you?' rather than a literal question about their meal.
- In highly formal settings, rather than using the standard 먹다 (meokda), you should use the honorific verb 드시다 (deusida) to show respect to the person you are talking to or about.
- The word 밥 (bab) literally means 'cooked rice', but in the context of eating, it is used as a generic term for any 'meal', regardless of what is actually served.
Examples in context
- 먹는 걸 좋아해.I like to eat.
Example conversation
Jihoon and Subin are talking about their favorite hobbies.
- 지훈 Ji-hun수빈 씨는 취미가 뭐예요?subin ssineun chwimiga mwo-ye-yo?Subin, what is your hobby?
- 수빈 Su-bin저는 맛있는 것을 먹는 것을 좋아해요.jeoneun masineun geoseul meongneun geoseul joahae-yo.I like to eat delicious things.
- 지훈 Ji-hun저도요! 같이 맛집에 갈까요?jeodo-yo! gachi matjibe gal-kka-yo?Me too! Shall we go to a famous restaurant together?
- 수빈 Su-bin네, 좋아요. 가요!ne, joa-yo. gayo!Yes, I'd love to. Let's go!
