What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of '뭐' (what) and '먹을까' (the interrogative form of 'to eat' expressing a suggestion or wondering).
Which one should you use?
While several forms exist, 뭐 먹을까 specifically implies a shared decision-making process between the speaker and the listener, such as asking "what shall we eat?" In contrast, 뭐 먹을래 is used to ask someone what they personally want to eat.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase 뭐 먹을까 is casual and informal. For different social contexts, you can use these variations: 뭐 먹을래 is a common informal way to ask a friend or someone younger what they want to eat. To be polite to people you are not close to or those older than you, use the polite form 뭐 먹을까요. In strictly formal or respectful situations, you should replace the verb 먹다 with the honorific verb 드시다, as seen in 뭐 드시겠어요? (What would you like to eat?) or 뭐 먹고 싶으세요? (What do you want to eat?).
How does it change in a sentence?
You can make the phrase polite by adding the suffix '-요' to the end, resulting in 뭐 먹을까요.
How do you pronounce it?
mwo meogeulkka
Did you know?
- While 먹다 means 'to eat', it is also used in expressions like 겁을 먹다 to mean 'to be scared'. Literally, this translates to 'eating fear', suggesting the person has swallowed their courage.
- In Korea, asking 뭐 먹을까 is often a social ritual where the speaker expects the other person to say 아무거나, meaning 'anything'. This is a polite way of avoiding being demanding, even if the person actually has a preference.
- The honorific verb 드시다 is derived from 들다, which means 'to lift'. This reflects a cultural perspective that the act of eating is fundamentally about 'lifting' food to the mouth.
Examples in context
- 점심에 뭐 먹을래?What do you want to eat for lunch?
- 피자 먹자!Let's eat pizza!
- 저녁에 뭐 드시고 싶으세요?What would you like to eat for dinner?
- 제일 좋아하는 치킨 먹고 싶어요.I want to eat my favorite chicken.
- 우리 뭐 먹을까?What shall we eat?
- 점심에 뭐 먹을까?jeomsime mwo meogeulkka?What should we eat for lunch?
- 우리 저녁에 뭐 먹을까?uri jeonyeoge mwo meogeulkka?What should we eat for dinner?
- 오늘 야식으로 뭐 먹을까?oneul yasigeuro mwo meogeulkka?What should we eat for a late-night snack today?
Example conversation
Two friends are deciding on a menu together.
- 지은 Ji-eun지훈아, 우리 뭐 먹을까?Jihun-a, uri mwo meogeulkka?Jihun, what should we eat?
- 지훈 Ji-hun나는 다 좋아. 너는?naneun da joa. neoneun?I'm fine with anything. How about you?
- 지은 Ji-eun매콤한 떡볶이 어때?maekomhan tteokbokki eottae?How about some spicy tteokbokki?
- 지훈 Ji-hun좋아! 그거 먹자.joa! geugeo meokja.Great! Let's eat that.
