드세요
deuseyo
The English phrase "please eat" is expressed in Korean as 드세요 (deuseyo).
드세요 is a polite invitation or request for someone to start eating. It is commonly used by hosts to guests or by younger people to older people at a dining table.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a combination of the honorific verb 들다 (to eat/consume) and the polite ending -세요 (please do).
Which one should you use?
While 드세요 is honorific and used for others, 먹어요 is a standard polite form that is less respectful and should not be used when addressing elders or superiors.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
드세요 is a polite and respectful way to invite someone to eat, suitable for elders or people you are not close with. The formal polite way to say 'please eat' is 식사하세요.
How do you pronounce it?
deuseyo
Did you know?
- While 드세요 is used for food, it is also the standard way to tell someone to 'please drink' a beverage, as the same verb covers both eating and drinking.
- While 드세요 is a polite request, if you are hosting a very formal banquet, you might use the even more elevated form 잡수세요 to show extreme respect to the guest.
- If you are dining with someone much older, you might wait for them to say 드세요 or take the first bite before you begin your own meal, regardless of how hungry you are.
Examples in context
- 준비되었으니 맛있게 드세요.jun-bi-doe-eot-eu-ni ma-sit-ge deu-se-yo.It is ready, so please enjoy your meal.
- 식기 전에 얼른 드세요.sik-gi jeon-e eol-leun deu-se-yo.Please eat quickly before it gets cold.
- 여기 있어요, 많이 드세요.yeo-gi it-seo-yo, ma-ni deu-se-yo.Here it is, please eat a lot.
Example conversation
Ji-eun serves a meal to Hyeon-u at home.
- 지은 Ji-eun현우 씨, 여기 따뜻한 국이에요.Hyeon-u ssi, yeo-gi tta-tteut-han guk-i-e-yo.Hyeon-u, here is some warm soup.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo와, 정말 맛있어 보이네요!wa, jeong-mal ma-sit-eo bo-i-ne-yo!Wow, it looks really delicious!
- 지은 Ji-eun어서 맛있게 드세요.eo-seo ma-sit-ge deu-se-yo.Please, go ahead and eat.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo잘 먹겠습니다.jal meok-get-seum-ni-da.I will enjoy the meal.
