맛있어 보여요
masisseo boyeoyo
In Korean, "it looks yummy" is expressed as 맛있어 보여요 (masisseo boyeoyo).
This phrase is used to comment on the appearance of food to suggest that it appears to taste good. It relies on the grammatical structure -아/어 보이다, which is attached to an adjective stem to convey that something visually looks a certain way.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 맛있어 (tasty) and 보여요 (looks/appears).
Which one should you use?
While 맛있어 보여요 (it looks yummy) focuses on the visual appearance of the food, the phrase 맛있어요 (it is yummy) is used when you are actually eating the food and confirming its taste.
How does it change in a sentence?
The suffix -겠다 is used to express conjecture or probability, which is why 맛있겠다 can be used to mean "That must be delicious."
How do you pronounce it?
masisseo boyeoyo
Did you know?
- The structure -아/어 보이다 can be used for people too, but saying a person 맛있어 보인다 is highly suggestive and implies physical attraction.
- While 맛있어 보여요 describes appearance, Koreans often use the phrase 눈으로 먹는다 meaning 'eating with the eyes' to describe high-end cuisine where visual presentation is paramount.
- In modern slang, the phrase 맛있어 is sometimes used to describe something that is 'satisfying' or 'perfectly executed' in non-food contexts, such as a great movie scene.
Examples in context
- 예, 맛있어 보입니다. 곧 다 될 거예요.Yes, it looks delicious. It will be ready soon.
- 네, 음식이 아주 맛있어 보여요. 한 번 드셔보세요.Yes, the food looks very delicious. Please try it.
- 맛있겠다. 한 입 먹어볼래?That must be delicious. Do you want to try a bite?
- 완전 맛있어 보여! 나도 한 번 먹어볼까?It looks absolutely delicious! Should I also give it a try?
- 음식이 정말 맛있어 보여요.eumsigi jeongmal masisseo boyeoyo.The food looks really yummy.
- 그 케이크 맛있어 보여요!geu keikeu masisseo boyeoyo!That cake looks yummy!
- 와, 진짜 맛있어 보여요.wa, jinjja masisseo boyeoyo.Wow, it looks really yummy.
Example conversation
Jihoon and Minji are looking at a menu in a restaurant.
- 지훈 Ji-hun이 파스타 맛있어 보여요.i paseuta masisseo boyeoyo.This pasta looks yummy.
- 민지 Min-ji맞아요, 저도 그거 먹고 싶어요.majayo, jodo geugeo meokgo sipeoyo.Right, I want to eat that too.
- 지훈 Ji-hun민지 씨도 같이 주문할까요?minji ssido gachi jumun-halkkayo?Minji, shall we order it together?
- 민지 Min-ji네, 좋아요!ne, joayo!Yes, sounds good!
