What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 음식 (food) + 이 (subject marker), 맛있다 (to be delicious) and 보여요 (to look/appear).
Which one should you use?
While 음식이 맛있어 보여요 means the food *looks* good based on visual evidence before tasting, 음식이 맛있어요 is used to state that the food *is* delicious after you have tasted it.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form 음식이 맛있어 보여요 uses the polite ending -요, which is suitable for use with acquaintances, colleagues or in restaurants. To speak to close friends or people younger than you, you can use the informal form 음식이 맛있어 보여. In very formal settings, such as a news report or a formal presentation, use the formal form 음식이 맛있어 보입니다.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb 보이다 (to look/appear) is used in its polite form 보여요 to express an observation based on visual evidence.
How do you pronounce it?
eumsigi masisseo boyeoyo
Did you know?
- When tasting food, Koreans often use the word 맛 in the phrase 손맛 to describe the 'hand-taste' of a cook, implying that the person's skill and care make the food taste good.
- The adjective 맛있다 is technically a combination of 맛 (taste) and 있다 (to exist), literally meaning 'taste exists'.
- While 맛있어 보여요 refers to visual appeal, Koreans often use the phrase 맛있겠다 to express an emotional anticipation of taste, which translates more closely to 'this looks like it will be delicious'.
Examples in context
- 음식이 맛있어 보여요.eumsigi masisseo boyeoyo.The food looks delicious.
- 사진 속 음식이 맛있어 보여요.sajin sok eumsigi masisseo boyeoyo.The food in the photo looks delicious.
Example conversation
Seoyeon and Hyeonwoo are looking at a table full of dishes at a restaurant.
- 서연 Seo-yeon현우 씨, 음식이 맛있어 보여요.Hyeonwoo ssi, eumsigi masisseo boyeoyo.Hyeonwoo, the food looks good.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo네, 정말 맛있을 것 같아요.Ne, jeongmal masisseul geot gatayo.Yes, I think it will be really delicious.
- 서연 Seo-yeon어서 먹어 봐요.Eoseo meogeo bwayo.Let's eat quickly.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo좋아요, 같이 먹어요.Joayo, gati meogeoyo.Sounds good, let's eat together.
