잘 먹겠습니다
jal meokgetseumnida
The English phrase "I will eat well" is translated into Korean as 잘 먹겠습니다 (jal meokgetseumnida).
The phrase 잘 먹겠습니다 is used specifically at the beginning of a meal to express gratitude to the person who prepared or provided the food. Another way to express a similar sentiment is 제대로 먹을게요, which translates to "I will eat properly", using the adverb 제대로 to mean "properly" or "well".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 잘 (well), 먹 (the verb stem for eat) and the future/intention suffix -겠습니다 (will/shall).
Which one should you use?
잘 먹겠습니다 is the standard polite version, whereas 잘 먹을게 is a casual version used with close friends or people younger than you.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
잘 먹겠습니다 uses the -습니다 ending, making it a polite and formal way to say the phrase that is suitable for speaking to elders, teachers or in formal dining settings. In contrast, 잘 먹을게 is an informal expression used among friends.
How do you pronounce it?
jal meokgetseumnida
When do people say it?
Saying this phrase is a key part of Korean dining etiquette to acknowledge the effort and resources used to provide the meal.
Did you know?
- In a formal setting, it is customary to wait until the eldest person at the table has picked up their utensils before saying 잘 먹겠습니다 and starting to eat.
- While the phrase literally means 'I will eat well', it functions more like a verbal salute to the chef or host than a description of your appetite.
- While 잘 먹겠습니다 is said before a meal, Koreans use a different phrase, 잘 먹었습니다, after finishing to thank the provider for the meal they just consumed.
Examples in context
- 오늘 밥 잘 먹을게.I will eat well today.
- 이번 주말에는 제대로 먹을게요.I will eat properly this weekend.
- 잘 먹겠습니다.jal meokgetseumnida.I will eat well.
- 음식이 맛있어 보여요. 잘 먹겠습니다.eumsigi masisseo boyeoyo. jal meokgetseumnida.The food looks delicious. I will eat well.
Example conversation
Jihoon and Subin are having lunch together at a restaurant.
- 지훈 Ji-hun수빈 씨, 많이 드세요.Subin-ssi, mani deuseyo.Subin, please eat a lot.
- 수빈 Su-bin감사합니다. 잘 먹겠습니다.gamsahamnida. jal meokgetseumnida.Thank you. I will eat well.
- 지훈 Ji-hun이 집 정말 맛있어요.i jip jeongmal masisseoyo.This place is really delicious.
- 수빈 Su-bin맞아요, 정말 맛있네요.majayo, jeongmal masinneyeo.You're right, it is really delicious.
