잘 먹겠습니다
The English phrase "I will enjoy this meal" is expressed in Korean as 잘 먹겠습니다.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 잘 (well), 먹 (the stem of the verb "to eat") and 겠습니다 (a future tense/intention marker), literally meaning "I will eat well".
Which one should you use?
The polite form is 잘 먹겠습니다, while the informal version is 잘 먹을게.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form 잘 먹겠습니다 is polite and suitable for use with elders, teachers or in formal dining settings. The informal form 잘 먹을게 is used with close friends or people younger than you.
When do people say it?
In Korea, 잘 먹겠습니다 is a standard polite expression used to show gratitude to the person who prepared or provided the meal before you begin eating.
Did you know?
- In highly formal settings, such as a military mess hall, the phrase 잘 먹겠습니다 is often shouted in unison by the group before starting.
- When eating alone, some Koreans still say 잘 먹겠습니다 as a way of showing gratitude for the ingredients and the nature of the food.
- The term 잘 can be seen as an abbreviation of the noun 자루, though in modern usage, it is treated as a standard adverb for 'well'.
Examples in context
- 잘 먹겠습니다.jal meokgetseumnida.I will enjoy this meal.
- 정말 잘 먹겠습니다!jeongmal jal meokgetseumnida!I will really enjoy this meal!
- 맛있게 잘 먹겠습니다.masitge jal meokgetseumnida.I will enjoy this delicious meal.
Example conversation
Seoyeon and Dohyun are sitting down to dinner at home.
- 서연 Seo-yeon도현 씨, 이제 같이 식사해요.Dohyun ssi, ije gati siksahaeyo.Dohyun, let's eat now.
- 도현 Do-hyeon네, 잘 먹겠습니다!ne, jal meokgetseumnida!Yes, I will enjoy this meal!
- 서연 Seo-yeon맛있게 많이 드세요.masitge mani deuseyo.Please eat a lot and enjoy.
- 도현 Do-hyeon고마워요, 서연 씨.gomawoyo, Seoyeon ssi.Thank you, Seoyeon.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 잘, CC BY-SA 4.0.
