What does 잘 먹겠습니다 mean?

잘 먹겠습니다 (jalmeok-gess-seup-ni-da, jalmeokgessseupnida)

Learn the meaning and usage of '잘 먹겠습니다,' a polite phrase said before eating in Korean.

Korean phrase 잘 먹겠습니다 meaning polite expression before eating

Definition & nuance

Core meaning and shades learners miss.

잘 먹겠습니다(jalmeok-gess-seup-ni-da, jalmeokgessseupnida)

'잘 먹겠습니다' is a polite phrase said before eating to express gratitude and respect, similar to 'I will eat well' or 'Thank you for the meal.'

Nuances

  • Conveys gratitude before eating
  • Shows respect politely to others
  • Appropriate in formal and informal settings

When to use

Family meal, Office lunch, Visiting friend's house

In context

'잘 먹겠습니다' is used mainly before starting a meal and fits both formal and casual contexts. The subject is usually omitted, and the verb '먹다' (to eat) is combined with the polite future ending '-겠습니다' to express intention respectfully.

Real-world examples

  • 잘 먹겠습니다! 오늘 음식 정말 맛있어 보여요.

    jal meok-gess-seup-ni-da! o-neul eum-sik jeong-mal mas-iss-eo bo-yeo-yo., jal meok gess seup ni da! o neul eum sik jeong mal mas iss eo bo yeo yo.

    This sentence politely expresses gratitude and anticipation before eating.

  • 잘 먹겠습니다 하고 바로 식사를 시작했다.

    jal meok-gess-seup-ni-da ha-go ba-ro sik-sa-reul si-jak-haess-da., jal meok gess seup ni da ha go ba ro sik sa reul si jak haess da.

    It is natural to say 잘 먹겠습니다 before starting to eat.

  • 잘 먹겠습니다는 식사 후에 하는 인사다.

    jal meok-gess-seup-ni-da-neun sik-sa hu-e ha-neun in-sa-da., jal meok gess seup ni da neun sik sa hu e ha neun in sa da.

    잘 먹겠습니다 is said before eating; after eating, use 잘 먹었습니다.

  • 잘 먹겠습니다는 친구에게 무례한 표현이다.

    jal meok-gess-seup-ni-da-neun chin-gu-e-ge mu-rye-han pyo-hyeon-i-da., jal meok gess seup ni da neun chin gu e ge mu rye han pyo hyeon i da.

    잘 먹겠습니다 is polite and not rude among friends.

Quick quiz

  1. When do you use '잘 먹겠습니다'?

    '잘 먹겠습니다'는 언제 사용하는 표현인가요?('jalmeok-gess-seup-ni-da'neuneon-jesa-yong-ha-neunpyo-hyeon-in-ga-yo?, 'jalmeokgessseupnida'neuneonjesayonghaneunpyohyeoningayo?)
  2. Which English phrase is closest to '잘 먹겠습니다'?

    '잘 먹겠습니다'와 가장 가까운 영어 표현은?('jalmeok-gess-seup-ni-da'waga-jangga-kka-unyeong-eopyo-hyeon-eun?, 'jalmeokgessseupnida'wagajanggakkaunyeongeopyohyeoneun?)
  3. Which situation is inappropriate for using '잘 먹겠습니다'?

    다음 중 '잘 먹겠습니다' 사용에 적절하지 않은 상황은?(da-eumjung'jalmeok-gess-seup-ni-da'sa-yong-ejeok-jeol-ha-jian-eunsang-hwang-eun?, daeumjung'jalmeokgessseupnida'sayongejeokjeolhajianeunsanghwangeun?)

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