밥 먹을 시간
bap meogeul sigan
The English phrase "time to eat" is translated into Korean as 밥 먹을 시간 (bap meogeul sigan).
밥 먹을 시간 is used to announce that it is the scheduled time for a meal. While 밥 먹을 시간 is a statement of the time, Koreans more commonly use the phrase 밥 먹자 (Let's eat) to actually initiate the meal.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 밥 (rice/meal), 먹을 (to eat, in a future/attributive form) and 시간 (time).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Adding the particle 이야 makes the phrase a complete, informal sentence used with friends or younger people: 밥 먹을 시간이야. Adding the particle 이에요 makes the phrase a complete, polite sentence used in standard social situations: 밥 먹을 시간이에요. For a formal expression meaning "It's mealtime", you can use 식사시간입니다.
How do you pronounce it?
bap meogeul sigan
Did you know?
- In Korea, asking 밥 먹었어? ('Did you eat?') is often a social greeting used to show care and affection rather than a literal question about hunger.
- In Korean culture, offering to buy someone 밥 is one of the most common ways to apologize or express gratitude.
- The word 밥 is used in many idiomatic expressions, such as saying someone 'is' 밥 to mean they are an easy target or a pushover.
Examples in context
- 식사시간입니다It's mealtime
- 이제 밥 먹을 시간이에요.ije bap meogeul sigan-ieyo.It is time to eat now.
- 벌써 밥 먹을 시간인가요?beolsseo bap meogeul sigan-ingayo?Is it already time to eat?
- 곧 밥 먹을 시간이야.got bap meogeul sigan-iya.It is almost time to eat.
Example conversation
A father calling his daughter to the table.
- 민준 Min-jun민지야, 밥 먹을 시간이야.Minji-ya, bap meogeul sigan-iya.Minji, it's time to eat.
- 민지 Min-ji네, 지금 가요!ne, jigeum gayo!Yes, I'm coming now!
- 민준 Min-jun빨리 와서 앉으렴.ppalli waseo anjeuryeom.Come quickly and sit down.
- 민지 Min-ji배가 너무 고파요.baega neomu gopayo.I am so hungry.
