먹다(meok-da, meokda)
General verb for eating food
When to use
Eating with friends, Having lunch with family, Talking about oneself
The nuance
Used casually with friends, family, or close people; not appropriate in honorific situations.
먹다 vs 드시다: Casual vs Honorific Eating Verbs
먹다 (meok-da, meokda) · 드시다 (deu-si-da, deusida)
Both 먹다 and 드시다 mean 'to eat,' but 먹다 is casual and 드시다 is honorific, used for others or superiors.
Word-by-word breakdown
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
드시다(deu-si-da, deusida)
Honorific verb used to describe others or superiors eating food
When to use
Eating with superiors, Offering food to guests, Lunch with a boss
The nuance
Used when superiors, guests, or respected people eat; never used for oneself.
Real-world examples
나는 밥을 먹었다.
na-neun bap-eul meok-eoss-da., na neun bap eul meok eoss da.
먹다 is used when talking about oneself.
할머니께서 밥을 드셨다.
hal-meo-ni-kke-seo bap-eul deu-syeoss-da., hal meo ni kke seo bap eul deu syeoss da.
Honorific form 드시다 correctly used for an elder.
친구가 밥을 드셨다.
chin-gu-ga bap-eul deu-syeoss-da., chin gu ga bap eul deu syeoss da.
Do not use honorific 드시다 for friends; use 먹다 instead.
회장님이 점심을 먹었다.
hoe-jang-nim-i jeom-sim-eul meok-eoss-da., hoe jang nim i jeom sim eul meok eoss da.
Use honorific 드시다 for superiors, not 먹다.
엄마가 사과를 먹었다.
eom-ma-ga sa-gwa-reul meok-eoss-da., eom ma ga sa gwa reul meok eoss da.
Use honorific 드시다 for parents or elders.
할아버지가 빵을 드셨다.
hal-a-beo-ji-ga ppang-eul deu-syeoss-da., hal a beo ji ga ppang eul deu syeoss da.
Appropriate honorific use for an elder eating.
나는 어제 친구와 같이 밥을 드셨다.
na-neun eo-je chin-gu-wa gat-i bap-eul deu-syeoss-da., na neun eo je chin gu wa gat i bap eul deu syeoss da.
Never use honorific 드시다 referring to oneself.
손님께서 음식을 드시고 계십니다.
son-nim-kke-seo eum-sik-eul deu-si-go gye-sip-ni-da., son nim kke seo eum sik eul deu si go gye sip ni da.
Correct honorific form when referring to guests.
Quick quiz
Which word should you use when a superior is eating?
윗사람이 음식을 먹을 때 어떤 단어를 써야 할까요?(wis-sa-ram-ieum-sik-eulmeok-eulttaeeo-tteondan-eo-reulsseo-yahal-kka-yo?, wissaramieumsikeulmeokeulttaeeotteondaneoreulsseoyahalkkayo?)What is the correct expression for 'friend ate rice'?
친구가 밥을 먹었다고 할 때 올바른 표현은?(chin-gu-gabap-eulmeok-eoss-da-gohalttaeol-ba-reunpyo-hyeon-eun?, chingugabapeulmeokeossdagohalttaeolbareunpyohyeoneun?)Which word is appropriate when talking about oneself eating?
자기 자신이 음식을 먹을 때 적절한 표현은?(ja-gija-sin-ieum-sik-eulmeok-eulttaejeok-jeol-hanpyo-hyeon-eun?, jagijasinieumsikeulmeokeulttaejeokjeolhanpyohyeoneun?)
What does it mean?
More comparisons to explore
- 먹다 vs 먹어치우다: Basic vs Strong Eating Expressions
- 위해서 vs 위한: Differences in Expressing Purpose
- 관해서 vs 관해: Choosing Natural Expressions
- '대해서' vs '대해' Perfect Comparison
- 비해서 vs 비해: Subtle Differences in Comparison Expressions
- 자다 vs 주무시다: Differences in Sleep Expressions
- 있다 vs 계시다: Existence vs Honorific Existence
- 말하다 vs 말씀하다: The Difference in Honorific Speech