맛있어
masisseo
In Korean, the phrase for "taste good" is 맛있어 (masisseo).
This phrase is used to describe food or drink that has a pleasant flavor. To emphasize how delicious something is with a sense of wonder or surprise, you can use the form 맛있네요 or add the suffix –네요 to an expression, such as 맛이 좋네요 to mean "It tastes so good!" Note that while 맛있어 describes the flavor, the phrase 맛있게 드세요 is the standard way to tell someone to "enjoy your meal" or "eat deliciously".
Which one should you use?
The word 맛없어 is the opposite of the phrase.
How does it change in a sentence?
The dictionary form of the phrase is 맛있다. You can adjust the politeness by adding suffixes: adding –요 to the phrase makes it polite (맛있어요), while the form 맛있습니다 is the highly formal version. To express surprise or wonder at the taste, you can use the suffix –네요, as seen in 맛있네요.
How do you pronounce it?
masisseo
Did you know?
- While 맛있어 describes taste, Koreans often use the word 시원하다, meaning 'cool' or 'refreshing', to describe a hot soup that tastes satisfying.
- The word 맛 for 'taste' is used in phrases like 맛이 갔다, which literally means 'the taste has gone' but is used as slang for someone losing their mind.
- In Korea, making a sound like 'mmm' or a light slurping noise while eating is often seen as a signal that the food 맛있어.
Examples in context
- 이 케이크 정말 맛있어.i ke-i-keu jeong-mal ma-si-sseo.This cake is really delicious.
- 비빔밥이 진짜 맛있어!bi-bim-bap-i jin-jja ma-si-sseo!The bibimbap is truly tasty!
Example conversation
Subin and Minjun are eating lunch together at a restaurant.
- 수빈 Su-bin민준아, 이 국수 맛있어?min-jun-a, i guk-su ma-si-sseo?Minjun, is this noodle soup good?
- 민준 Min-jun응, 진짜 맛있어.eung, jin-jja ma-si-sseo.Yes, it tastes really good.
- 수빈 Su-bin다행이다. 나도 한 입 먹어볼게.da-haeng-i-da. na-do han ip meog-eo-bol-ge.That's a relief. I'll try a bite too.
- 민준 Min-jun수빈아, 너도 한번 먹어봐.su-bin-a, neo-do han-beon meog-eo-bwa.Subin, you should try some too.
