Korean for English speakers House · Lesson 4

Help yourself & Bon Appétit

Korean table manners — 많이 먹어요 (Help yourself / eat a lot) — and 잘 먹겠습니다 (Bon appétit).

Conversation

  1. Bolin Bolin

    자, 매지캣, 많이 먹어요.

    Ja, maejikaet, mani meogeoyo.

    So, Magicat, help yourself.

    Tip: <자> = interjection used to change the topic of conversation and to get someone's attention <많이 먹어요> = formal way "Help yourself" (Literally, "Eat a lot")

  2. Magicat Magicat

    감사합니다. 잘 먹겠습니다!

    Gamsahamnida. Jal meokgetseumnida!

    Thank you. Bon appetite!

    Tip: <잘 먹겠습니다> = fomal way to say "Bon appetite" or "Thank you for the treat" (Literally, "I'll eat well")

  3. PX296 PX296

    잘 먹겠습니다~

    Jal meokgetseumnida~

    Bon appetite!

  4. Magicat Magicat

    너무 맛있어요! 저 밥 한 그릇 더 주세요.

    Neomu masisseoyo! Jeo bap han geureut deo juseyo.

    It's so delicious! Can I have one more bowl of rice, please?

    Tip: <너무> = so <맛있어요> = adjective "to be delicious/good(taste)" <밥> = steamed rice <한> = "one" in adjective form (native korean number counting) <그릇> = counting unit for dishes, plates <더> = more <주세요> = verb "to give" (in request conjugation)

Common questions

Quick answers about this lesson's grammar and vocabulary.

What does 많이 먹어요 mean?

Literally 'eat a lot' — Korean for 'help yourself / enjoy!'. Hosts often say this.

What is 잘 먹겠습니다?

'I will eat well' — said before eating, like 'bon appétit'. Polite humble form.

After eating?

잘 먹었습니다 = 'I ate well' (thank you for the meal). Said after finishing.

Test yourself

Pick the English translation for each line from this lesson. Wrong answers are pulled from other Korean lessons.

4 quick questions on what you just heard.

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