المعنى
A hospitable phrase encouraging someone to eat generously.
خلفية ثقافية
In Korea, it is considered polite to wait for the eldest person at the table to pick up their chopsticks before you start eating, even after they say '많이 드세요'. If a host says '많이 드세요' and puts a piece of meat on your bowl, it is a sign of great affection. You should accept it and eat it with thanks. In trendy Seoul cafes, you might hear '맛있게 드세요' more often than '많이 드세요' because modern diners are often health-conscious or on diets. During a business lunch, the host (usually the one paying) will use this phrase to signal the start of the meal and to put the clients at ease.
The 'Empty Plate' Rule
If you eat everything on your plate, the host will likely say '많이 드세요' again and give you more. If you are full, leave a tiny bit of food to signal you are finished.
Pairing with Humility
Koreans often say '차린 건 없지만...' (I haven't prepared much...) before '많이 드세요' to show humility, even if it's a feast.
المعنى
A hospitable phrase encouraging someone to eat generously.
The 'Empty Plate' Rule
If you eat everything on your plate, the host will likely say '많이 드세요' again and give you more. If you are full, leave a tiny bit of food to signal you are finished.
Pairing with Humility
Koreans often say '차린 건 없지만...' (I haven't prepared much...) before '많이 드세요' to show humility, even if it's a feast.
Don't say it to your Boss
To a boss, '맛있게 드세요' is safer. '많이 드세요' can sound like you are their parent.
اختبر نفسك
You are hosting a dinner for your Korean language teacher. What should you say when you serve the food?
선생님, ________.
Since you are the host and the teacher is a superior, the polite honorific '많이 드세요' is the correct choice.
Complete the dialogue between a restaurant server and a customer.
Server: 주문하신 김치찌개 나왔습니다. ( ). Customer: 네, 감사합니다.
Servers in Korea almost always wish customers a good meal using this phrase.
Match the phrase to the correct person.
Who says '많이 드세요'?
'많이 드세요' is a phrase of hospitality used by the provider of the meal.
Fill in the blank with the correct adverb to mean 'Eat A LOT'.
( ) 드세요.
'많이' means 'a lot', which completes the standard expression.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
وسائل تعلم بصرية
When to say '많이 드세요'
At Home
- • Hosting guests
- • Serving family
- • Giving snacks
At Work
- • Team lunch
- • Sharing treats
- • Client dinner
Restaurant
- • Serving customers
- • Treating friends
- • Owner greeting
بنك التمارين
4 تمارين선생님, ________.
Since you are the host and the teacher is a superior, the polite honorific '많이 드세요' is the correct choice.
Server: 주문하신 김치찌개 나왔습니다. ( ). Customer: 네, 감사합니다.
Servers in Korea almost always wish customers a good meal using this phrase.
Who says '많이 드세요'?
'많이 드세요' is a phrase of hospitality used by the provider of the meal.
( ) 드세요.
'많이' means 'a lot', which completes the standard expression.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةYes, it is very common and polite to say this to your parents when you serve them food or when you start a meal together.
Only if said to someone older or higher in status. To friends or children, it is warm and natural.
'많이' means 'a lot' (quantity/generosity), while '맛있게' means 'deliciously' (enjoyment/taste). Both are polite.
The best response is '네, 잘 먹겠습니다' (Yes, I will eat well).
Yes! '드세요' is the honorific for both eating and drinking, so it works for tea, coffee, or juice.
In Korean phonology, when 'ㅎ' is in the final position and followed by a vowel, it often disappears or weakens.
Yes, '많이 드십시오' is used in very formal settings like weddings or official banquets.
Yes, if you are the one who invited the person or if you are paying for the meal.
Stick with '많이 드세요'. It is the 'Goldilocks' of politeness—not too stiff, not too casual.
No, it's a wish for your enjoyment, not a legal requirement to finish every bite!
عبارات ذات صلة
맛있게 드세요
similarEnjoy your meal (lit. Eat deliciously)
잘 먹겠습니다
contrastI will eat well
천천히 드세요
similarPlease eat slowly
배불러요
builds onI am full
많이 드십시오
specialized formPlease eat a lot (very formal)
