What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 뭐 먹고 싶어요? breaks down into 뭐 (what), 먹고 (eating/to eat) and 싶어요 (want to).
Which one should you use?
While 뭐 먹고 싶어요? is a standard way to ask the question, 무엇을 드시겠습니까? specifically translates to "What would you like to eat?" and 드시고 싶은 음식이 있으십니까? translates to "Do you have any food you'd like to eat?" In an informal context, you can use 먹고 싶은 거 있어? to mean "Is there something you want to eat?" or 뭐 먹고 싶어? to mean "What do you want to eat?"
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
뭐 드시고 싶으세요? is a more polite and respectful way to ask someone of higher status or an elder. To speak informally to close friends or younger people, you can use 뭐 먹고 싶어? by dropping the '요' at the end.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb 싶다 (to want) is used in its -고 싶다 form to express a desire to perform an action.
How do you pronounce it?
mwo meokgo sipeoyo?
Did you know?
- The word for 'rice', 밥, is often used as a metaphor for 'meal' in general. Because of this, asking if someone wants to eat 'rice' is synonymous with asking if they want to eat any food at all.
- In Korean culture, offering to buy food is a major way to show affection or care. Asking someone 뭐 먹고 싶어? is often a subtle way of saying 'I want to treat you to a meal'.
- In many social situations, if someone asks you 뭐 먹고 싶어요?, a common polite response is to say 'Anything is fine' ( 아무거나 괜찮아요 ). This avoids the appearance of being picky or demanding.
Examples in context
- 선생님, 저녁으로 무엇을 드시겠습니까?Teacher, what would you like to have for dinner?
- 언니, 뭐 먹고 싶어?What do you want to have, sis?
- 뭐 먹고 싶어요?mwo meokgo sipeoyo?What would you like to eat?
- 저녁으로 뭐 먹고 싶어요?jeonyeogeuro mwo meokgo sipeoyo?What would you like to eat for dinner?
- 지금 뭐 먹고 싶어요?jigeum mwo meokgo sipeoyo?What would you like to eat right now?
Example conversation
Jieun and Hyunwoo are deciding on a lunch menu.
- 지은 Ji-eun현우 씨, 뭐 먹고 싶어요?Hyunwoo ssi, mwo meokgo sipeoyo?Hyunwoo, what would you like to eat?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo저는 비빔밥이 먹고 싶어요.Jeoneun bibimbap-i meokgo sipeoyo.I would like to eat bibimbap.
- 지은 Ji-eun좋아요, 같이 가요.Joayo, gachi gayo.Great, let's go together.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo네, 지은 씨.Ne, Jieun ssi.Okay, Jieun.
