맛있게 드세요
masitge deuseyo[ma̠ɕʰit̚k͈e̞ tɯsʰe̞jo]
In Korean, "please eat well" can be translated as 맛있게 드세요 (masitge deuseyo).
This phrase is used by a host or a person who is not currently eating to wish others an enjoyable meal. You can also use the word 정말 (truly or really) before 잘 드세요 to add emphasis.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 맛있게 드세요 literally means "eat deliciously". It is composed of 맛있게 (deliciously) and 드세요 (the honorific form of "to eat").
Which one should you use?
맛있게 드세요 is a polite way to say "please enjoy your meal" or "please eat well", whereas 맛있게 먹어 is the informal version used to mean the same thing.
How do you pronounce it?
masitge deuseyo
When do people say it?
When someone says 맛있게 드세요 to you, a common polite response is 잘 먹겠습니다 (I will eat well).
Did you know?
- The word 맛있게 comes from 맛 meaning 'taste' and 있다 meaning 'to exist', so the phrase literally wishes that 'taste exists' in the food.
- In traditional Korean etiquette, you should wait for the oldest person at the table to pick up their utensils before you begin eating, regardless of who said 맛있게 드세요.
- The honorific root 드시다 in 드세요 is used not only for eating but also for drinking, making the phrase applicable even if the 'meal' is just a beverage.
Examples in context
- 준비했으니 맛있게 드세요.junbihaesseuni masitge deuseyo.I prepared it, so please eat well.
- 선물입니다. 맛있게 드세요.seonmulimnida. masitge deuseyo.It is a gift. Please enjoy your meal.
Example conversation
Jihoon serves a meal to Jieun at a restaurant.
- 지훈 Ji-hun지은 씨, 여기 음식이 나왔어요.Jieun-ssi, yeogi eumsiga nawasseoyo.Jieun, the food is here.
- 지은 Ji-eun와, 정말 맛있어 보여요!wa, jeongmal masisseo boyeoyo!Wow, it looks delicious!
- 지훈 Ji-hun맛있게 드세요.masitge deuseyo.Please eat well.
- 지은 Ji-eun감사합니다, 잘 먹겠습니다.gamsahamnida, jal meokgesseumnida.Thank you, I will eat well.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 맛있게 드세요, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
