리필
ripil[ɾipʰiɭ]
The Korean word for refill is 리필 (ripil).
The word 리필 is a loanword from English and is commonly used in restaurants and cafes to refer to free or paid refills of side dishes, drinks or food items.
Meaning: to fill up again (verb)
How does it change in a sentence?
To use 'refill' as a verb, you add the verb-forming suffix –하다 to the noun 리필. The phrase 리필해 주세요 is the standard polite way to request a refill from staff. Adding 되나요? to the noun 리필 is a common way to ask if a refill service is provided.
How do you pronounce it?
ripil
Did you know?
- In South Korea, you will often see the sign 무한리필 (muhan-ripil) on restaurant windows. This literally translates to 'infinite refill' and is the standard way to advertise an all-you-can-eat establishment.
- If a restaurant does not offer free 리필, they use the word 추가 (chuga). While both result in more food, 추가 explicitly indicates that you are paying full price for the extra portion.
- In traditional markets, you might encounter the concept of 덤 (deom). Unlike 리필, which is a request for more of the same, 덤 is an unexpected extra amount given by the seller as a gesture of kindness.
Examples in context
- 저기요! 고기 좀 리필해 주세요.Excuse me! Please refill the meat.This sentence is useful for practicing how to request a refill of meat using 리필.
- 커피 리필 되나요?Is a coffee refill available?This sentence is useful for asking if a refill is available for coffee using 리필.
- 물 더 주세요Please give me more water.
- 물 좀 더 줄래?Can you give me some more water?
- 네, 곧 가져다 드리겠습니다.Yes, I'll bring it shortly.
Example conversation
Minjun and Seoyeon are at a buffet restaurant.
- 민준 Min-jun여기 샐러드 리필 어디서 해요?yeogi seolleodeu ripil eodiseo haeyo?Where do I refill the salad here?
- 서연 Seo-yeon저쪽 샐러드 바에서 하세요.jeojjok seolleodeu bageseo haseyo.Do it over there at the salad bar.
- 민준 Min-jun아, 감사합니다. 바로 갈게요.a, gamsahamnida. baro galgeyo.Oh, thank you. I'll go right now.
- 서연 Seo-yeon네, 맛있게 드세요, 민준 씨.ne, masissge deuseyo, Minjun ssi.Yes, enjoy your meal, Minjun.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 리필, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
