Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 점심 | jeomsim | [ˈt͡ɕɘ(ː)mɕʰim] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | |
| 점심(點心)밥 | jeomsimbap | ||
| 점심(點心) 식사 | jeomsim siksa | ||
| 중식 | jungsik | [t͡ɕuŋɕʰik̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | dated, formal, literary |
| 오반 | oban | ||
| 런치 | reonchi | informal |
The most common way to refer to the midday meal is 점심. You can also use 점심밥 to emphasize the actual meal or the food being eaten, or the more formal phrase 점심 식사 to refer to a lunch meal.
What does it mean word for word?
In the term 점심밥, the component 밥 literally means 'rice' but is used informally to refer to a meal in general.
Which one should you use?
While 점심 is the standard term for lunch, 점심밥 specifically highlights the food or the rice itself. For a more formal tone, use 점심 식사. The term 중식 is a dated, formal and literary way to say lunch, while 런치 is an informal loanword used in modern, trendy contexts such as cafe culture or describing a 'lunch menu'. 오반 is also a form for lunch.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
점심 식사 is a more formal way to refer to a lunch meal compared to the simple 점심. In modern and trendy settings, such as cafes, the informal loanword 런치 is often used. 중식 is dated, formal and literary.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When expressing the action of eating lunch, it is common to use the object marker 을 with the word to form the phrase 점심을 먹다. Other ways to say 'to eat lunch' include 점심밥을 먹다 and 점심 식사를 하다.
How do you pronounce it?
jeomsim
Did you know?
- The word 점심 shares its roots with the Cantonese term 'dim sum'. In both cases, the characters mean 'touching the heart', referring to a small snack that stimulates the appetite.
- In Korea, asking 'Have you eaten lunch?' is often used as a warm greeting or a way to show care, rather than an actual inquiry about your hunger.
- While 중식 can mean 'midday meal', it is also the standard word for 'Chinese food' in Korea. This can cause confusion if you use it to describe the type of cuisine you are eating.
Examples in context
- 나하고 점심 같이 먹을 시간 있어?Will you have time to have lunch with me?This sentence is useful for asking if someone has time to have 점심 with you.Tatoeba #11115075 by intertime, translation #64166 by CK
- 난 톰이 나랑 점심 먹었으면 좋겠어.I want Tom to eat lunch with me.This sentence is useful for expressing a desire for someone to eat 점심 with you.Tatoeba #8363169 by Eunhee, translation #8361694 by CK
- 우리, 점심 먹으러 나갈 건데 같이 갈래?We're going out for lunch. Why don't you come along?This sentence is useful for inviting someone to go out for 점심.Tatoeba #13139945 by SN_H, translation #249070 by CK
- 저는 지금 점심을 먹으러 갈 예정입니다.I am planning to go eat lunch now.
- 오늘의 점심 메뉴는 무엇인가요?What is today's lunch menu?
- 점심 먹으러 갈래?Do you want to go have lunch?
- 오늘 점심에 뭐 먹을까?What should we eat for lunch today?
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two colleagues are talking at the office before the break.
- 지은 Ji-eun지훈 씨, 점심 먹었어요?Jihoon-ssi, jeomsim meogeosseoyo?Jihoon, did you eat lunch?
- 지훈 Ji-hun아니요, 아직 안 먹었어요.Aniyo, ajik an meogeosseoyo.No, I haven't eaten yet.
- 지은 Ji-eun그럼 저랑 점심 같이 먹을래요?Geureom jeorang jeomsim gatchi meogeullaeyo?Then, do you want to have lunch with me?
- 지훈 Ji-hun네, 좋아요. 같이 가요.Ne, joayo. Gatchi gayo.Yes, that sounds good. Let's go together.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lunch” translations and entries 점심, 중식, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 식사, 점심, 중식, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
