맛있어요
masisseoyo
In Korean, the phrase to say something is delicious is 맛있어요 (masisseoyo).
This phrase is used to say that food or drink tastes good.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 맛있어요 is a combination of 맛 (taste) and 있어요 (exists/is), literally meaning 'taste exists'.
How does it change in a sentence?
Dropping the '요' (yo) at the end makes the phrase informal, used with close friends or people younger than you. The form 맛있습니다 is the highly formal version used in professional settings or when speaking to someone of much higher status.
How do you pronounce it?
masisseoyo
Did you know?
- Koreans sometimes use 맛있다 to describe things that are not food, such as a 'delicious' sleep 꿀맛 같은 잠 or a 'delicious' victory, to express intense satisfaction.
- When eating in a group, you might hear 맛있게 드세요, which is a polite way to tell others 'please eat deliciously' before a meal starts.
- In modern slang, young people often use the word 존맛 to describe something extremely delicious, though it is considered very vulgar and should never be used with elders.
Examples in context
- 이 사과 정말 맛있어요.i sagwa jeongmal masisseoyo.This apple is really delicious.
- 엄마가 만든 음식이 맛있어요.eommaga mandeun eumsigi masisseoyo.The food my mother made is delicious.
- 여기 커피가 아주 맛있어요.yeogi keopiga aju masisseoyo.The coffee here is very delicious.
Example conversation
Seoyeon and Hyunwoo are eating at a new restaurant.
- 서연 Seo-yeon현우 씨, 이 파스타 맛있어요?Hyunwoo ssi, i pasuta masisseoyo?Hyunwoo, is this pasta delicious?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo네, 정말 맛있어요!Ne, jeongmal masisseoyo!Yes, it's really delicious!
- 서연 Seo-yeon다행이네요. 저도 더 먹을게요.Dahaenineyo. Jeodo deo meogeulgeyo.I'm glad. I'll eat more too.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo서연 씨도 많이 드세요.Seoyeon ssi-do mani deuseyo.You eat a lot too, Seoyeon.
