먹고 싶어
meokgo sipeo
In Korean, "I want to eat" is expressed as 먹고 싶어 (meokgo sipeo).
This phrase is used to express a desire to consume food.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb stem 먹- (to eat) combined with the connective -고 싶다 (to want to).
Which one should you use?
For specific contexts, you might use 밥 먹고 싶어 or 밥 먹고 싶다 as a casual form among close friends or family.
How does it change in a sentence?
When expressing that a third person (he, she or they) wants to eat, you must use the form 먹고 싶어 해요 instead of 먹고 싶어.
How do you pronounce it?
meokgo sipeo
Did you know?
- In Korea, asking someone 밥 먹었어? ('Did you eat?') is often used as a general greeting similar to 'How are you?' rather than a literal question about their hunger.
- While 먹고 싶어 is for food, the verb 먹다 ('to eat') is also used for things you cannot chew, such as 마음을 먹다, which literally means 'to eat one's heart' but actually means 'to make a decision'.
- If you want to express a craving for a specific food, Koreans sometimes use the word 당기다 ('to pull'), saying the food 'pulls' them, which is a more visceral way of saying 먹고 싶어.
Examples in context
- 나는 김밥을 먹고 싶어요.I want to eat kimbap.This sentence is useful for expressing a desire to eat kimbap using the form 먹고 싶어.Tatoeba #447683 by davisFUCKINGmiller, translation #491443 by pjh203
- 한국 음식을 먹고 싶어요.I want to eat Korean food.This sentence is useful for expressing a desire to eat Korean food using the form 먹고 싶어.Tatoeba #961888 by Eevee, translation #961889 by Eevee
- 매운 음식이 먹고 싶어.maeun eumsigi meokgo sipeo.I want to eat spicy food.
Example conversation
Minjun and Seoyeon are deciding what to do for lunch.
- 민준 Min-jun서연아, 배고프지 않아?Seoyeon-a, baegopeuji ana?Seoyeon, aren't you hungry?
- 서연 Seo-yeon응, 나 피자 먹고 싶어.eung, na pija meokgo sipeo.Yes, I want to eat pizza.
- 민준 Min-jun좋아, 근처에 맛집이 있어.joa, geuncheoe matjibi isseo.Great, there is a good place nearby.
- 서연 Seo-yeon그럼 빨리 가자!geureom ppalli gaja!Then let's go quickly!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
