너무 맛있어요
The English phrase "so delicious" can be translated into Korean as 너무 맛있어요.
While 너무 originally meant "too much" (implying a negative excess), in modern spoken Korean it is commonly used as a synonym for "very" or "so" in positive contexts like this.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 너무 (so/too much) and 맛있어요 (is delicious).
How does it change in a sentence?
Dropping the -요 ending from 너무 맛있어요 makes the phrase informal, used with friends or people younger than you. Changing the ending to -습니다 makes the phrase highly formal, suitable for business settings or formal presentations.
Did you know?
- If a dish is 'so delicious' it might be described as 기가 막히다, which literally means 'to be breathless' or 'to stop one's energy'.
- Korean has a specific word 감칠맛 for a 'delicious' savory taste, which is the conceptual equivalent of the Japanese word 'umami'.
- The word 너무 comes from the verb 넘다, which means 'to surpass' or 'to cross over' a boundary.
Examples in context
- 이 음식은 정말 맛있습니다. 감사합니다.This food is really delicious. Thank you.
- 이 디저트 정말 맛있어요!This dessert is really delicious!
- 오늘 점심은 완전 맛있어!Today's lunch is absolutely delicious!
- 이 케이크 너무 맛있어요.i ke-i-keu neo-mu ma-si-sseo-yo.This cake is so delicious.
- 엄마가 만든 요리는 너무 맛있어요.eom-ma-ga man-deun yo-ri-neun neo-mu ma-si-sseo-yo.The food my mom makes is so delicious.
- 이 식당 음식은 너무 맛있어요.i sik-dang eum-sik-eun neo-mu ma-si-sseo-yo.The food at this restaurant is so delicious.
Example conversation
Seoyeon and Hyunwoo are eating dinner together.
- 서연 Seo-yeon현우 씨, 이거 드셔 보세요.hyeonu ssi, igeo deusyeo boseyo.Hyunwoo, please try this.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo와, 너무 맛있어요!wa, neomu masisseoyo!Wow, it's so delicious!
- 서연 Seo-yeon그쵸? 정말 맛있죠?geuchyo? jeongmal masitjyo?Right? It's really delicious, isn't it?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo네, 최고예요.ne, choigoyeyo.Yes, it's the best.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 너무, CC BY-SA 4.0.
