잘 먹겠습니다
Jal meokgetseumnida
The English phrase 'thank you for food' is expressed in Korean as 잘 먹겠습니다 (Jal meokgetseumnida).
The phrase 잘 먹겠습니다 is used specifically at the beginning of a meal to show respect to the person who prepared or provided the food. If you need to get the attention of a person serving food, you can use 저기요 (Jeogiyo), which means 'excuse me'.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, the phrase translates to 'I will eat well'.
Which one should you use?
While 잘 먹겠습니다 is said before a meal, 잘 먹었습니다 (I ate well) is the equivalent phrase used after finishing a meal.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the future tense marker –겠 (-get-) to express intention or determination.
How do you pronounce it?
Jal meokgetseumnida
When do people say it?
Saying 잘 먹겠습니다 is a key part of Korean dining etiquette to acknowledge the effort involved in preparing the meal. Another way to express gratitude for meals is 항상 맛있는 식사 고맙습니다! (Hangsang masitneun siksa gomapseumnida!), which means 'Thank you for the always delicious meals!'
Did you know?
- In Korean culture, saying 잘 먹겠습니다 is not just a polite gesture toward the cook, but a way to show respect to the ingredients and the life provided for the meal.
- The phrase is closely tied to the concept of 정 (jeong), a uniquely Korean feeling of social attachment and collective care that makes the act of sharing food a bonding ritual.
- In a group setting, it is common for the youngest person to wait until the eldest person has picked up their utensils before saying 잘 먹겠습니다 and starting to eat.
Examples in context
- 정말 잘 먹겠습니다.jeongmal jal meokgetseumnida.I will really enjoy this meal.
- 엄마, 잘 먹겠습니다.eomma, jal meokgetseumnida.Mom, thank you for the food.
Example conversation
Minjun and Seoyeon are sitting down at a restaurant to eat lunch.
- 민준 Min-jun서연 씨, 여기 음식 정말 맛있어 보여요.Seoyeon-ssi, yeogi eumsik jeongmal masisseo boyeoyo.Seoyeon, this food looks really delicious.
- 서연 Seo-yeon맞아요. 우리 빨리 먹어요!ma-jayo. uri ppalli meogeoyo!You're right. Let's eat quickly!
- 민준 Min-jun잘 먹겠습니다!jal meokgetseumnida!Thank you for the food!
- 서연 Seo-yeon네, 맛있게 드세요.ne, masitge deuseyo.Yes, enjoy your meal.
