How to Say "Not Delicious" in Korean

맛없다

madeopda[ma̠dʌ̹p̚t͈a̠]

The phrase "not delicious" in Korean is translated as 맛없다 (madeopda).

This phrase is used to describe food or drink that tastes bad. It serves as the direct antonym to the word for "delicious".

What does it mean word for word?

The word is a compound of 맛 (taste) and 없다 (to not exist/to not have).

The polite form of the dictionary form 맛없다 is 맛없어요. The informal/casual form of the dictionary form 맛없다 is 맛없어.

madeopda

The word 맛 (taste) is used in idioms to describe a feeling or a 'flavor' of a situation, such as 맛이 갔다 which literally means 'the taste is gone' but is used to describe someone who has lost their mind.
A common way to say food is not tasty without being rude is to use the phrase 입에 안 맞다, which literally translates to 'it does not fit in my mouth'.
In a restaurant, telling a chef that their food is 맛없다 can be seen as a much harsher social insult than simply saying 'it is not tasty' in English. It implies a lack of effort or care in the cooking itself.

맛이 없습니다만 어떻게 해드릴까요?
It doesn't taste good, but how can I help you?
이 음식은 정말 맛없다.
i eum-sig-eun jeong-mal mas-eop-da.
This food is really not delicious.

Subin and Minjun are trying a new snack.

수빈 Su-bin

민준 씨, 이 과자 먹어 봐요.
Minjun ssi, i gwaja meogeo bwayo.
Minjun, try this snack.
민준 Min-jun

음, 생각보다 너무 맛없다.
eum, saenggakboda neomu madeopda.
Hmm, this is more tasteless than I thought.
수빈 Su-bin

정말요? 저는 괜찮은 것 같아요.
jeongmallyo? jeoneun gwaenchaneun geot gatayo.
Really? I think it's okay.
민준 Min-jun

제 입맛에는 너무 맛없어요.
je immaseneun neomu madeopseoyo.
To my taste, it is not delicious.

Sources

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