맛있어 보여요
masisseo boyeoyo
The English phrase "that looks delicious" is translated into Korean as 맛있어 보여요 (masisseo boyeoyo).
This phrase is used specifically when reacting to the visual appearance of food, rather than the actual taste.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 맛있어 (delicious) and 보여요 (looks/appears).
Which one should you use?
While 맛있어 보여요 means it *looks* delicious, 맛있어요 means it *is* delicious (after you have tasted it).
How do you pronounce it?
masisseo boyeoyo
Did you know?
- Korean has a specific word, 손맛, which literally means 'hand taste' and refers to the unique, intuitive skill a person has for making food taste delicious.
- Instead of just saying it looks delicious, many Koreans will use the expression 비주얼이 대박 to say the 'visuals are amazing' when food looks particularly striking.
- The word 맛 (taste) is often used in Korean compound words to describe things that are not food, such as 'the taste of life'.
Examples in context
- 정말 맛있어 보여요.jeongmal masisseo boyeoyo.That looks really delicious.
- 그 케이크 맛있어 보여요!geu keikeu masisseo boyeoyo!That cake looks delicious!
- 와, 진짜 맛있어 보여요.wa, jinja masisseo boyeoyo.Wow, it looks truly delicious.
Example conversation
At a restaurant, looking at a menu.
- 도현 Do-hyeon이 파스타 맛있어 보여요?i pasutea masisseo boyeoyo?Does this pasta look delicious?
- 수빈 Su-bin네, 정말 맛있어 보여요.ne, jeongmal masisseo boyeoyo.Yes, it looks really delicious.
- 도현 Do-hyeon그럼 이걸로 주문할까요?geureom igeollo jumun-halkkayo?Then shall we order this?
- 수빈 Su-bin좋아요, 도현 씨.joayo, Dohyeon-ssi.Sounds good, Dohyeon.
