When it comes to expressing how delicious something looks in Korean, there are various ways to convey that mouthwatering feeling. Korean culture is known for its love of food, and the language offers several formal and informal expressions to describe the tastiness of a dish. In this guide, we’ll explore different phrases, tips, and examples to help you express the phrase “it looks yummy” in Korean.
Table of Contents
Formal Expressions:
Formal expressions are generally used in polite situations, such as when speaking to elders, strangers, or in professional settings.
1. “맛있어 보입니다” (masisseo boimnida)
Tip: This phrase literally translates to “it looks delicious” in English. It is the most common way of expressing that something appears tasty in formal settings.”
Usage Example:
Person A: 저녁 식사 준비가 어떻게 되고 있어요? (jeonyeok siksa junbiga eotteoke doego isseoyo?) – “How is the dinner preparation going?”
Person B: 예, 맛있어 보입니다. 곧 다 될 거예요. (ye, masisseo boimnida. got da doel geoyeyo.) – “Yes, it looks delicious. It will be ready soon.”
2. “음식이 아주 맛있어 보여요” (eumsigi aju masisseo boyeoyo)
Tip: This phrase translates to “the food looks very delicious” and can be used in more formal or elaborate situations to add emphasis. It is a slightly longer but equally polite alternative to express tastiness visually.
Usage Example:
Person A: 이 요리를 시식해보고 싶어요. (i yorireul sishikhae bogo sipeoyo) – “I would like to taste this dish.”
Person B: 네, 음식이 아주 맛있어 보여요. 한 번 드셔보세요. (ne, eumsigi aju masisseo boyeoyo. han beon deushyeoboseyo.) – “Yes, the food looks very delicious. Please try it.”
Informal Expressions:
Informal expressions are commonly used among friends, family, or in casual conversations.
1. “맛있겠다” (masitgetda)
Tip: This phrase is a simplified and informal way to convey that something must be delicious. It is widely used in day-to-day conversations with peers.
Usage Example:
Person A: 빵 꾸억. (ppang kkueok) – “Look at this bread.”
Person B: 맛있겠다. 한 입 먹어볼래? (masitgetda. han ip meogeobollae?) – “That must be delicious. Do you want to try a bite?”
2. “완전 맛있어 보여!” (wanjeon masisseo boyeo!)
Tip: This informal phrase adds enthusiasm to the expression and means “it looks totally delicious!” It is used among close friends or when expressing excitement visually.
Usage Example:
Person A: 이거 짜장면이야. (igeo jjajangmyeon iya) – “This is jjajangmyeon (black bean noodles).”
Person B: 완전 맛있어 보여! 나도 한 번 먹어볼까? (wanjeon masisseo boyeo! nado han beon meogeobolkka?) – “It looks absolutely delicious! Should I also give it a try?”
Tips on Expressing Deliciousness in Korean:
1. Verb Endings:
- -아/어 보이다 (a/e boida): Attaching this ending to an adjective stems from the verb “보이다” (boida), meaning “to see.” By using this ending, you can convey that something visually looks a certain way. For example, 맛있어 보이다 (masisseo boida) – “it looks delicious.”
- -아/어 보여요 (a/e boyeoyo): Similar to the previous ending, this ending is also derived from the verb “보여요” (boyeoyo), which means “to show.” When added to an adjective, it emphasizes the appearance or visual perception of something. For instance, 맛있어 보여요 (masisseo boyeoyo) – “it looks delicious.”
- -겠다 (getda): This ending is used to express conjecture or probability. When combined with an adjective, it implies that something must be a certain way, making it suitable for expressing deliciousness. For instance, 맛있겠다 (masitgetda) – “that must be delicious.”
2. Non-Verbal Expressions:
If you want to go beyond words and express the deliciousness using non-verbal cues, you can use interjections, gestures, or facial expressions. A simple “mmmm” sound or rubbing your belly gently can indicate your appetite and admiration for the dish.
Conclusion
In Korean, expressing how delicious something looks is an integral part of the language’s food culture. Whether you prefer formal expressions for polite occasions or informal phrases for casual conversations, this guide has provided you with various ways to convey “it looks yummy” in Korean. Remember to adjust your tone and language depending on the situation, and don’t forget to embrace the joy of appreciating Korean cuisine!
