맛있어요
mas-isseoyo
In Korean, "it is delicious" is expressed as 맛있어요 (mas-isseoyo).
This phrase is used specifically for the taste of food or drink, not for describing something that is 'delicious' in a metaphorical sense (like a 'delicious' idea).
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a combination of 맛 (mat), meaning 'taste' and 있어요 (isseoyo), meaning 'to exist' or 'to have'.
Which one should you use?
While 맛있어요 is the standard form, you can use 아주 맛있어요 to say it is very delicious, 정말 맛있어요 to say it is really delicious, 엄청 맛있어 to mean really or very delicious and 진짜 맛있어 to mean seriously or really delicious.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form 맛있어 is the casual, non-polite version used with close friends or people younger than you. The form 맛있습니다 is the highly formal version used in professional settings or when speaking to a large audience.
How do you pronounce it?
mas-isseoyo
Did you know?
- In Korea, people often use the word 시원하다, which means 'cool' or 'refreshing', to describe a steaming hot soup that tastes delicious.
- The intense slang term 존맛 is used among close friends to convey that food is exceptionally delicious.
- To describe something as extremely delicious, Koreans use the slang 꿀맛, which literally means 'honey taste'.
Examples in context
- 이 음식은 매콤해서 맛있습니다This dish is delicious because it is spicy.
- 비빔밥은 정말 맛있어요Bibimbap is really delicious.
- 이 김치 정말 맛있어요.i gimchi jeongmal masisseoyo.This kimchi is really delicious.
- 엄마가 만든 음식이 맛있어요.eommaga mandeun eumsigi masisseoyo.The food mom made is delicious.
- 커피가 아주 맛있어요.keopiga aju masisseoyo.The coffee is very delicious.
Example conversation
Seoyeon and Hyeonwoo are eating at a small restaurant.
- 서연 Seo-yeon이 비빔밥 맛있어요?i bibimbap masisseoyo?Is this bibimbap delicious?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo네, 정말 맛있어요.ne, jeongmal masisseoyo.Yes, it is really delicious.
- 서연 Seo-yeon다행이네요.dahaengineyo.I'm glad to hear that.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo서연 씨도 한 입 드셔 보세요.Seoyeon ssi-do han ip deusyeo boseyo.Seoyeon, you should try a bite too.
