What does it mean word for word?
The expression is a combination of 맛, which means "taste" and 있어요, which means "to exist" or "to have". Literally, it translates to "does taste exist?"
Which one should you use?
You may also encounter 맛있어?, which is a casual way to ask if something is delicious with friends or peers or 맛있습니까?, which is a formal version used in professional settings or when speaking to someone of much higher status.
How does it change in a sentence?
The informal version 맛있어? is created by dropping the polite ending -요, used with close friends or people younger than you. The formal version 맛있습니까? uses the -습니까 ending, used in professional settings or when speaking to someone of much higher status.
How do you pronounce it?
masisseoyo?
When do people say it?
A standard positive response to the question is 네, 맛있어요 (Yes, it is delicious). A standard negative response is 아니요, 맛없어요 (No, it is tasteless/not delicious).
Did you know?
- In Korea, instead of asking 'is it delicious?', people often ask 'is the rice delicious?' by saying 밥 맛있어요? This refers to the general meal rather than a specific dish.
- While 맛없어요 means 'not delicious', saying it directly to a host can be seen as very blunt or rude, so Koreans often use indirect phrases or describe a specific missing flavor instead.
- In Korean culture, the act of asking 맛있어요? is often linked to the concept of 정 (jeong), an emotional bond of affection and attachment shared between people.
Examples in context
- 이 피자 맛있어요?i pija masisseoyo?Is this pizza delicious?
- 음식이 맛있어요?eumsigi masisseoyo?Is the food delicious?
Example conversation
Dohyun and Seoyeon are at a new restaurant.
- 도현 Do-hyeon서연 씨, 음식 맛있어요?Seoyeon-ssi, eumsik masisseoyo?Seoyeon, is the food delicious?
- 서연 Seo-yeon네, 정말 맛있어요!ne, jeongmal masisseoyo!Yes, it's really delicious!
- 도현 Do-hyeon다행이네요.dahaeng-ineyo.I'm glad to hear that.
- 서연 Seo-yeon도현 씨도 드셔 보세요.Dohyun-ssido deusyeo boseyo.Dohyun, you should try some too.
