라면 먹고 싶어요
ramyeon meokgo sipeoyo
In Korean, "I want to eat ramen" is expressed as 라면 먹고 싶어요 (ramyeon meokgo sipeoyo).
This phrase is a statement used to express a desire to eat ramen.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 라면 (ramen), 먹고 (eating and) and 싶어요 (want to).
Which one should you use?
While the default form is common, adding the object marker 을 to create 라면을 먹고 싶어요 is more grammatically precise. In casual speech, however, the marker is often omitted.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The polite form 라면 먹고 싶어요 is commonly used in Seoul and other central regions of South Korea.
How does it change in a sentence?
You can adjust the level of formality by changing the verb ending. Replacing 싶어요 with 싶습니다 makes the sentence formal. Conversely, removing the polite ending 요 to create 라면 먹고 싶어 makes the phrase informal.
How do you pronounce it?
ramyeon meokgo sipeoyo
Did you know?
- In modern Korean dating culture, asking 라면 먹고 갈래요? ('Do you want to eat ramen before you go?') is often a suggestive invitation to stay over for the night.
- The word 라면 is a loanword from Japanese ラーメン, which itself originated from the Mandarin Chinese term 拉麵 meaning 'pulled noodles'.
- In Korea, the word 라면 specifically refers to instant noodles, whereas the term 국수 is often used for traditional, non-instant noodles.
Examples in context
- 저녁에 라면 먹고 싶어.I want to eat ramen in the evening.
- 저번 주말엔 라면을 먹고 싶었어.I wanted to eat ramen last weekend.
- 라면 먹고싶은데 너무 배고파.I really want to eat ramen, I'm so hungry.
- 아무래도 오늘은 라면을 먹으러 가야겠어.It seems like I have to go eat ramen today.
- 라면 먹고 싶어요.ramyeon meokgo sipeoyo.I want to eat ramen.
- 지금 라면 먹고 싶어요.jigeum ramyeon meokgo sipeoyo.I want to eat ramen now.
- 매운 라면 먹고 싶어요.maeun ramyeon meokgo sipeoyo.I want to eat spicy ramen.
Example conversation
Hyunwoo and Seoyeon are deciding what to have for a late-night snack.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo서연 씨, 배고프지 않아요?Seoyeon ssi, baegopeuji anayo?Seoyeon, aren't you hungry?
- 서연 Seo-yeon네, 저 라면 먹고 싶어요.ne, jeo ramyeon meokgo sipeoyo.Yes, I want to eat ramen.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo좋아요. 같이 끓여 먹을까요?johayo. gati kkuryeo meokeulkkayo?Great. Shall we cook and eat some together?
- 서연 Seo-yeon네, 그게 좋겠어요!ne, geuge jokgetseoyo!Yes, that sounds good!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 라면, CC BY-SA 4.0.
