Bedeutung
A polite phrase said after a meal, expressing satisfaction and gratitude.
Kultureller Hintergrund
It is common to say this phrase even if the food wasn't perfect. It is a gesture of respect for the effort of the cook, not just a review of the taste. The person who is highest in rank usually pays. The juniors must say '잘 먹었습니다' clearly to the senior to acknowledge the treat. With the rise of people eating alone, some young Koreans say this phrase to the restaurant staff more quietly or even via a review on a delivery app. You should wait for the eldest person to finish and put their spoon down before you say the phrase and leave the table.
The Bow
A small nod or bow while saying this makes you look much more fluent and respectful.
Don't be silent
Leaving a table without saying this can make you seem unhappy with the food or the host.
Bedeutung
A polite phrase said after a meal, expressing satisfaction and gratitude.
The Bow
A small nod or bow while saying this makes you look much more fluent and respectful.
Don't be silent
Leaving a table without saying this can make you seem unhappy with the food or the host.
Add '정말'
Adding '정말' (really) before the phrase makes it sound much more sincere.
Restaurant Exit
You can say it loudly toward the kitchen so the chef hears you!
Teste dich selbst
You just finished a delicious dinner at your Korean friend's house. What do you say to their mother?
Which phrase is most appropriate?
잘 먹었습니다 is the correct phrase to use *after* a meal.
Complete the sentence with the correct past tense marker.
잘 먹___습니다.
The past tense infix '-었-' is used because the verb root '먹-' ends in a consonant and has a dark vowel.
Match the phrase to the correct social situation.
1. 잘 먹었어 2. 잘 먹었습니다
The '-어' ending is informal, while '-습니다' is formal.
Fill in the missing part of the dialogue at a restaurant.
Customer: (Paying at the counter) ________! Owner: 네, 감사합니다. 또 오세요!
When leaving a restaurant, it is polite to tell the owner you ate well.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Formality Levels
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenWhich phrase is most appropriate?
잘 먹었습니다 is the correct phrase to use *after* a meal.
잘 먹___습니다.
The past tense infix '-었-' is used because the verb root '먹-' ends in a consonant and has a dark vowel.
1. 잘 먹었어 2. 잘 먹었습니다
The '-어' ending is informal, while '-습니다' is formal.
Customer: (Paying at the counter) ________! Owner: 네, 감사합니다. 또 오세요!
When leaving a restaurant, it is polite to tell the owner you ate well.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
14 FragenYes, it is very polite to say this to the waiter as they take your plates or as you leave.
You should still say it. It's a social ritual of thanks for the service, not necessarily a 5-star review.
In very casual settings, friends might just say '잘 먹었어'.
Usually no. The person who *didn't* pay says it to the person who *did* pay.
'Gamsahamnida' is a general 'thank you'. '잘 먹었습니다' is specific to food and is more culturally expected after a meal.
Yes, even for a small coffee or a cookie given by a friend.
'잘 먹었어' or '잘 먹었어요' depending on your usual speech level.
No, wait until you have swallowed your last bite for maximum politeness.
No, '잘 먹었습니다' is entirely native Korean (Pure Korean).
You don't need to say it, but some people say it to themselves to feel 'complete'.
It ends with a 'da' sound, but it's very soft, almost between a 'd' and 't'.
It's less common because it's so crowded, but saying it to the staff as you leave is a nice touch.
The host usually says '네, 맛있게 드셨어요?' (Yes, did you eat deliciously?) or '아니에요' (It's nothing).
Yes, the phrase is common across the entire peninsula.
Verwandte Redewendungen
잘 먹겠습니다
contrastI will eat well (said before the meal).
맛있게 드세요
similarPlease eat deliciously.
배불러요
builds onI am full.
수고하셨습니다
specialized formThank you for your hard work.
