배가 고프다
배가 고프다 en 30 segundos
- Literally means 'stomach is hungry'.
- Conjugates as an irregular 'ㅡ' verb (고파요).
- Used universally to express physical hunger.
- Cannot be used with object particles (를/을).
- Literal Meaning
- The literal translation is 'stomach is hungry', highlighting the physical sensation directly.
Sentence 배가 고프다.
- Usage Context
- Used universally across all ages and social standings to express the need for food.
Sentence 너무 배가 고파서 쓰러질 것 같아요.
- Cultural Significance
- Food is a central pillar of Korean culture, making this phrase one of the most frequently spoken sentences daily.
Sentence 아침을 안 먹어서 배가 고픕니다.
Sentence 우리 배가 고픈데 밥 먹으러 갈까요?.
Sentence 배가 고프면 언제든지 말하세요.
- Formal Register
- In formal situations, use '배가 고픕니다'. The 'ㅂ니다' ending attaches directly to the stem '고프'.
Sentence 사장님, 저는 배가 고픕니다.
- Informal Register
- With close friends or family, drop the '요' to make it '배가 고파' or simply '배고파'.
Sentence 야, 나 진짜 배고파.
- Past Tense
- To say you were hungry, use '배가 고팠어요'. The past tense marker '았' attaches to the conjugated stem.
Sentence 어제 밤에 너무 배가 고팠어요.
Sentence 배가 고파서 잠을 잘 수 없었어요.
Sentence 배가 고플 때 예민해져요.
- Korean Dramas
- Characters frequently complain about being hungry to show vulnerability, closeness, or to initiate a romantic meal scene.
Sentence 나 배고파. 라면 먹고 갈래?.
- Restaurants and Cafes
- While you don't say this to the waiter, you will hear patrons saying it to their friends as they aggressively look at the menu.
Sentence 너무 배가 고파서 다 먹을 수 있을 것 같아.
- Variety Shows
- Shows that involve fasting or playing games for food will feature celebrities shouting this phrase constantly.
Sentence 감독님, 저희 진짜 배가 고파요!.
Sentence 배가 고파서 현기증이 나요.
Sentence 언제 밥 먹어요? 배가 고픕니다.
- Wrong Particle Usage
- Using the object particle '를' instead of the subject particle '가'.
Sentence 배를 고파요 (Incorrect) -> 배가 고파요 (Correct).
- Incorrect Conjugation
- Failing to apply the 'ㅡ' irregular rule and saying '고퍼요' instead of '고파요'.
Sentence 배가 고퍼요 (Incorrect) -> 배가 고파요 (Correct).
- Confusing with 'Full'
- Mixing up '배가 고프다' (hungry) with '배가 부르다' (full).
Sentence 많이 먹어서 배가 고파요 (Incorrect context) -> 많이 먹어서 배가 불러요 (Correct).
Sentence 저는 고파요 (Incorrect) -> 저는 배가 고파요 (Correct).
Sentence 배가 고프는 사람 (Incorrect) -> 배가 고픈 사람 (Correct).
- 출출하다 (To be peckish)
- Used when you are slightly hungry and want a snack, not a heavy meal.
Sentence 밤이 되니까 좀 출출하네요.
- 허기지다 (To be starving/famished)
- Conveys a deeper, more exhausting level of hunger, often accompanied by a loss of energy.
Sentence 하루 종일 일했더니 너무 허기져요.
- 굶주리다 (To starve/be famished)
- A more intense, sometimes literal or literary term for starvation or severe deprivation.
Sentence 그들은 며칠 동안 굶주렸습니다.
Sentence 사랑에 굶주린 사람.
Sentence 조금 출출한데 빵 먹을래요?.
How Formal Is It?
"사장님, 혹시 시장하십니까?"
"저는 배가 고파요."
"나 배고파. 밥 먹자."
"우리 아기 배고파요? 맘마 먹을까?"
"아 배고파 뒤지겠네."
Dato curioso
Because '배' can mean stomach, pear, or boat, a common pun among children is to say '배가 고파서 배를 타고 배를 먹으러 간다' (Because my stomach is hungry, I am riding a boat to go eat a pear).
Guía de pronunciación
- Pronouncing '배' as '바이' (bye). It should be 'bae' like the 'a' in 'bad'.
- Pronouncing '고' as '코' (ko). It is a soft 'g', not an aspirated 'k'.
- Pronouncing '프' as an 'f' sound. Korean does not have an 'f' sound; it is an aspirated 'p'.
- Failing to drop the 'ㅡ' when conjugating to '고파요', resulting in the incorrect '고퍼요'.
- Placing heavy English-style stress on the first syllable.
Nivel de dificultad
Very easy to read. Basic Hangul characters.
Requires knowing the 'ㅡ' irregular conjugation rule to write '고파요'.
Easy to pronounce, though the aspirated 'ㅍ' needs slight attention.
Highly recognizable due to its frequency in daily life.
Qué aprender después
Requisitos previos
Aprende después
Avanzado
Gramática que debes saber
'ㅡ' Irregular Verbs/Adjectives: When a stem ending in 'ㅡ' meets an ending starting with '아/어', the 'ㅡ' is dropped. If the preceding vowel is 'ㅏ' or 'ㅗ', add '아'. Otherwise, add '어'.
고프다 -> 고프 + 아요 -> 고파요.
Body Part Subject Construction: In Korean, physical states are often described by making the body part the subject using 이/가, followed by an adjective.
배가 고프다 (stomach is hungry), 머리가 아프다 (head hurts).
Adjective Noun Modifiers: To use an adjective to describe a noun, attach '은/ㄴ' to the stem. If it ends in a vowel, attach 'ㄴ'.
고프다 -> 고픈 (hungry) -> 고픈 사람 (hungry person).
Hyperbolic Expression '-아/어 죽겠다': Attached to adjectives to express extreme states, literally 'to death'.
배가 고파 죽겠다 (starving to death), 피곤해 죽겠다 (tired to death).
Conjunction '-아서/어서' (Reason): Used to link two clauses where the first is the reason for the second.
배가 고파서 밥을 먹었어요 (Because I was hungry, I ate).
Ejemplos por nivel
저는 배가 고파요.
I am hungry.
Standard polite present tense.
배가 고파요?
Are you hungry?
Question form using rising intonation.
아주 배가 고파요.
I am very hungry.
Using the adverb '아주' (very).
지금 배가 고파요.
I am hungry now.
Using the time word '지금' (now).
배가 안 고파요.
I am not hungry.
Using the negative particle '안'.
우리 배가 고파요.
We are hungry.
Using the plural pronoun '우리' (we).
배고파!
I'm hungry! (Casual)
Casual form, dropping the particle and '요'.
배가 고파요. 밥 주세요.
I am hungry. Please give me food.
Combining two simple sentences.
아침을 안 먹어서 배가 고파요.
I am hungry because I didn't eat breakfast.
Using '어서/아서' for reason.
어제 밤에 배가 고팠어요.
I was hungry last night.
Past tense conjugation '고팠어요'.
배가 고프면 식당에 가요.
If you are hungry, let's go to a restaurant.
Using '으면/면' for conditional 'if'.
배가 고프지만 참을 거예요.
I am hungry, but I will endure it.
Using '지만' for 'but'.
너무 배가 고파서 죽겠어요.
I am so hungry I could die.
Common hyperbolic expression.
배가 고픈 고양이가 우유를 마셔요.
The hungry cat drinks milk.
Using the adjective modifier form '고픈'.
수업 시간에 배가 고팠습니다.
I was hungry during class.
Formal past tense '고팠습니다'.
배가 고프니까 빨리 먹읍시다.
Since we are hungry, let's eat quickly.
Using '니까/으니까' for reason and '읍시다' for suggestion.
다이어트 중이라서 항상 배가 고파요.
Because I am on a diet, I am always hungry.
Using '중이라서' (because I am in the middle of).
배가 고플 때마다 물을 마셔요.
Whenever I am hungry, I drink water.
Using 'ㄹ 때마다' (whenever).
아무리 많이 먹어도 금방 배가 고파져요.
No matter how much I eat, I get hungry again soon.
Using '아무리 ~아/어도' (no matter how much) and '아/어지다' (to become).
배가 고파서 집중이 전혀 안 돼요.
I can't concentrate at all because I'm hungry.
Using '전혀 안 되다' (not at all).
할머니, 혹시 시장하세요?
Grandma, are you hungry by any chance?
Using the honorific vocabulary '시장하다'.
배가 고픈지 아이가 계속 울어요.
The child keeps crying, perhaps because they are hungry.
Using '은/는지' to express a guess or uncertainty.
조금 출출한데 간식 먹을래요?
I'm a little peckish, do you want to eat a snack?
Using the synonym '출출하다'.
배가 고프기도 하고 피곤하기도 해요.
I am both hungry and tired.
Using '기도 하고 ~기도 하다' (both A and B).
스트레스를 받으면 배가 고프지 않아도 자꾸 무언가를 먹게 돼요.
When I get stressed, I end up eating something even if I'm not hungry.
Using '지 않아도' (even if not) and '게 되다' (end up doing).
그는 성공에 배가 고픈 사람처럼 미친 듯이 일했다.
He worked like crazy, like a person hungry for success.
Metaphorical use of '배가 고프다' for ambition.
장시간의 비행으로 인해 승객들 모두 몹시 허기진 상태였습니다.
Due to the long flight, all the passengers were in a state of extreme hunger.
Using formal vocabulary '허기지다' and '상태'.
배가 고파서 예민해진 탓에 친구에게 짜증을 내고 말았어요.
Because I became sensitive from being hungry, I ended up getting annoyed at my friend.
Using '은/ㄴ 탓에' (due to/because of a negative reason) and '고 말다' (ended up).
끼니를 거르면 배가 고픈 것을 넘어서 속이 쓰리기 시작합니다.
If you skip meals, it goes beyond just being hungry and your stomach starts to burn.
Using '은/ㄴ 것을 넘어서' (beyond doing/being).
가난했던 시절, 굶주린 배를 움켜쥐고 잠자리에 들곤 했습니다.
In the days of poverty, I used to go to bed clutching my starving stomach.
Using '굶주리다' (to starve) and '곤 하다' (used to).
사장님께서 시장하실 텐데 서둘러 식당을 예약합시다.
The boss must be hungry, so let's hurry and reserve a restaurant.
Using '을/ㄹ 텐데' (I assume/suppose).
배고픔을 참는 것은 엄청난 인내심을 요구하는 일입니다.
Enduring hunger is something that requires a tremendous amount of patience.
Using the noun form '배고픔' (hunger).
현대 사회에서는 육체적인 배고픔보다 정신적인 허기를 느끼는 사람들이 더 많다.
In modern society, there are more people who feel mental hunger rather than physical hunger.
Contrasting '배고픔' with '허기' in a metaphorical context.
그 예술가는 대중의 관심에 늘 목말라하고 배고파했다.
That artist was always thirsty and hungry for the public's attention.
Using '배고파하다' (to show signs of being hungry) metaphorically.
단순히 배가 고파서가 아니라, 공허함을 채우기 위해 폭식을 하는 경우가 잦습니다.
It's not simply because they are hungry, but there are frequent cases of binge eating to fill a sense of emptiness.
Using '아니라' (not A but B) and advanced vocabulary '공허함' (emptiness).
전쟁 직후, 굶주림에 허덕이던 백성들의 참상은 이루 말할 수 없었다.
Right after the war, the tragic state of the people struggling with starvation was beyond words.
Using '굶주림에 허덕이다' (to struggle with starvation).
그는 지식에 대한 끝없는 배고픔을 원동력 삼아 세계적인 학자가 되었다.
Using his endless hunger for knowledge as a driving force, he became a world-renowned scholar.
Using '원동력 삼아' (using as a driving force).
어르신들께서 시장기를 느끼시기 전에 다과를 내어오는 것이 예의입니다.
It is polite to bring out refreshments before the elders feel the pangs of hunger.
Using '시장기' (feeling of hunger) and formal honorifics.
아무리 배가 고파도 남의 것을 탐내는 것은 도리에 어긋나는 행동이다.
No matter how hungry you are, coveting what belongs to others goes against moral principles.
Using '도리에 어긋나다' (to go against morals).
식량 안보 문제는 단순히 배고픔을 해결하는 차원을 넘어 국가의 존립과 직결된다.
The issue of food security goes beyond simply solving hunger and is directly linked to the survival of the nation.
Using '차원을 넘어' (beyond the level of) and '직결되다' (directly linked).
문학 작품 속에서 묘사된 민중의 배고픔은 당대 사회의 구조적 모순을 고발하는 강력한 메타포로 작용한다.
The hunger of the masses depicted in literary works acts as a powerful metaphor indicting the structural contradictions of the society of that time.
Highly academic sentence structure analyzing literature.
절대 빈곤층이 겪는 만성적인 기아와 배고픔은 인류가 시급히 해결해야 할 보편적 인권 문제이다.
The chronic starvation and hunger experienced by the absolute poverty class is a universal human rights issue that humanity must urgently resolve.
Using formal terminology '절대 빈곤층' (absolute poverty class) and '기아' (famine).
그의 소설은 물질적 풍요 속에서도 영적 배고픔에 시달리는 현대인의 군상을 예리하게 포착해냈다.
His novel sharply captured the image of modern people suffering from spiritual hunger even amidst material abundance.
Using '군상' (group of people/image) and '예리하게 포착하다' (sharply capture).
권력에 굶주린 자들의 암투는 결국 파국을 맞이할 수밖에 없다는 것이 역사의 교훈이다.
It is a lesson of history that the secret feuds of those hungry for power are bound to eventually meet a catastrophic end.
Using '권력에 굶주린' (hungry for power) and '암투' (secret feud).
시장기가 도는 늦은 오후, 골목 어귀에서 풍겨오는 구수한 된장찌개 냄새는 잊고 있던 고향의 향수를 자극했다.
In the late afternoon when hunger was setting in, the savory smell of soybean paste stew wafting from the corner of the alley stimulated a forgotten nostalgia for my hometown.
Highly descriptive, literary phrasing using '시장기가 돌다' (hunger sets in).
인간의 근원적인 배고픔은 단순히 위장을 채우는 것으로는 해갈되지 않는, 존재론적인 결핍에서 기인한다.
Humanity's fundamental hunger stems from an ontological deficiency that cannot be quenched simply by filling the stomach.
Philosophical discourse using '존재론적인 결핍' (ontological deficiency).
기근으로 인한 참혹한 배고픔 앞에서는 어떠한 숭고한 이념도 그 빛을 잃고 만다는 뼈아픈 진실을 마주했다.
We faced the painful truth that in the face of the horrific hunger caused by famine, any noble ideology loses its light.
Using '뼈아픈 진실' (painful truth) and '숭고한 이념' (noble ideology).
자본주의 사회에서 소비에 대한 끝없는 배고픔은 대중 매체에 의해 끊임없이 재생산되고 조장된다.
In a capitalist society, the endless hunger for consumption is constantly reproduced and encouraged by mass media.
Sociological analysis using '재생산되다' (reproduced) and '조장되다' (encouraged).
Colocaciones comunes
Frases Comunes
배고파 죽겠다
배가 고파서 현기증 난다
배고픈 소크라테스
배가 고파야 밥맛이 좋다
배고플 틈이 없다
배가 고파서 잠이 안 온다
배가 고프지도 않다
배가 고파 미치겠다
배고픈 시절
배고픔을 달래다
Se confunde a menudo con
Means 'to be full'. Beginners sometimes mix up '고프다' (hungry) and '부르다' (full) because they both start with '배가'.
Means 'stomach hurts'. Make sure to distinguish between '아프다' (hurt) and '고프다' (hungry).
Means 'to be thirsty'. Literally 'throat is dry'. Used in similar contexts but for liquids.
Modismos y expresiones
"배가 아프다"
Literally 'stomach hurts', but idiomatically means to be jealous of someone else's success.
친구가 복권에 당첨되니 배가 아프다.
Informal"금강산도 식후경"
Even viewing Mt. Geumgang comes after eating. Meaning eating is the most important thing.
금강산도 식후경이라는데 일단 밥부터 먹자.
Neutral"다 먹고 살자고 하는 짓이다"
Everything we do is to eat and live. Used to justify taking a break to eat.
다 먹고 살자고 하는 짓인데 밥은 먹고 일합시다.
Informal"그림의 떡"
A picture of a rice cake. Something you desire but cannot have.
저 비싼 차는 나에게 그림의 떡이다.
Neutral"식은 죽 먹기"
Eating cold porridge. A piece of cake; very easy.
이 문제는 나에게 식은 죽 먹기다.
Neutral"누워서 떡 먹기"
Eating rice cake while lying down. Another way to say something is very easy.
그 시험은 누워서 떡 먹기였어.
Neutral"배보다 배꼽이 더 크다"
The belly button is bigger than the belly. When incidental costs exceed the main cost.
배송비가 물건값보다 비싸네. 배보다 배꼽이 더 크다.
Neutral"찬물 먹고 속 차려라"
Drink cold water and wake up. Stop dreaming or talking nonsense.
말도 안 되는 소리 하지 말고 찬물 먹고 속 차려라.
Informal"남의 떡이 더 커 보인다"
Other people's rice cakes look bigger. The grass is always greener on the other side.
항상 남의 떡이 더 커 보이는 법이지.
Neutral"미운 놈 떡 하나 더 준다"
Give one more rice cake to the person you hate. Treat your enemies with kindness.
미운 놈 떡 하나 더 준다고, 그 사람에게 더 잘해줘라.
NeutralFácil de confundir
Learners try to use it alone like the English word 'hungry'.
In Korean, '고프다' must be paired with '배' (stomach) to make sense in standard speech. You cannot say '저는 고파요'.
저는 배가 고파요. (Correct) / 저는 고파요. (Incorrect)
Learners try to use the object particle '를' because they think 'stomach' is the object of hunger.
'고프다' is an adjective, not an action verb. Adjectives describe subjects, so you must use the subject particle '가'.
배가 고파요. (Correct) / 배를 고파요. (Incorrect)
Learners fail to apply the 'ㅡ' irregular rule correctly.
Because the vowel before 'ㅡ' is 'ㅗ', it must take '아요', resulting in '고파요', not '고퍼요'.
배가 고파요. (Correct) / 배가 고퍼요. (Incorrect)
Learners use the verb modifier '는' instead of the adjective modifier '은/ㄴ'.
Since '고프다' is an adjective, it takes 'ㄴ' to modify a noun, becoming '고픈'.
배가 고픈 사람 (Correct) / 배가 고프는 사람 (Incorrect)
Learners don't know the difference in intensity.
'배가 고프다' is standard hunger. '출출하다' is mild hunger, like wanting a snack.
배가 고파서 밥을 먹었다. (Ate a meal) / 출출해서 과자를 먹었다. (Ate a snack)
Patrones de oraciones
저는 배가 고파요.
저는 배가 고파요. 밥 주세요. (I am hungry. Please give me food.)
[Reason] + 아/어서 배가 고파요.
아침을 안 먹어서 배가 고파요. (I am hungry because I didn't eat breakfast.)
배가 고플 때 [Action]
배가 고플 때 예민해져요. (I get sensitive when I am hungry.)
배가 고파서 [Action]
배가 고파서 집중이 안 돼요. (I can't concentrate because I'm hungry.)
아무리 먹어도 배가 고프다.
아무리 많이 먹어도 금방 배가 고파요. (No matter how much I eat, I get hungry soon.)
배가 고픈 상태로 [Action]
배가 고픈 상태로 쇼핑하지 마세요. (Don't shop while in a hungry state.)
[Noun]에 배가 고프다 (Metaphorical)
그는 항상 성공에 배가 고파 있다. (He is always hungry for success.)
배고픔을 참다/달래다
물 한 잔으로 배고픔을 달랬습니다. (I soothed my hunger with a glass of water.)
Familia de palabras
Sustantivos
Verbos
Adjetivos
Relacionado
Cómo usarlo
Extremely High. One of the top 100 most used phrases in spoken Korean.
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배를 고파요.
→
배가 고파요.
Learners often use the object particle '를' because they translate 'hungry' as a verb acting on the stomach. In Korean, '고프다' is an adjective describing the state of the stomach, so the subject particle '가' must be used.
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저는 고파요.
→
저는 배가 고파요.
Directly translating 'I am hungry' leads learners to omit the word '배' (stomach). In Korean, the specific body part must be mentioned to make the sentence natural and grammatically complete.
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배가 고퍼요.
→
배가 고파요.
Failing to apply the vowel harmony rule correctly. Because the vowel in '고' is 'ㅗ', the 'ㅡ' irregular verb must take '아', resulting in '고파', not '고퍼'.
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배가 고프는 사람.
→
배가 고픈 사람.
Using the action verb modifier '는' instead of the descriptive verb (adjective) modifier '은/ㄴ'. Adjectives ending in a vowel take 'ㄴ'.
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할아버지, 배가 고파요?
→
할아버지, 시장하세요?
Using standard polite form with an elder instead of the required honorific vocabulary. '시장하다' is the correct honorific substitute for '배가 고프다'.
Consejos
The 'ㅡ' Irregular
Always remember that '고프다' drops the 'ㅡ' when conjugated. It becomes '고파요', never '고퍼요' or '고프어요'.
Drop the Particle
In casual conversations with friends, you don't need to say '배가 고파'. Just saying '배고파' is the most natural way to speak.
Food as Affection
If you tell a Korean person you are hungry, be prepared to eat! Feeding someone is a primary way Koreans show they care about you.
Aspirated 'P'
Make sure the 'ㅍ' in '고프다' has a strong puff of air. It is not an 'f' sound and not a soft 'b' sound.
Hyperbole is Common
Don't be afraid to use '배고파 죽겠다' (starving to death) even if you are only moderately hungry. Koreans love using this exaggeration.
Respecting Elders
Memorize '시장하세요?' for elders. Asking a grandparent '배가 고파요?' can sound a bit too direct or lacking in proper respect.
Snack Time
Learn '출출하다' (peckish). Using this word instead of '배가 고프다' when you just want a cookie will make you sound very fluent.
Modifiers
When describing a noun, use '고픈' (e.g., 배가 고픈 강아지 - a hungry puppy). Do not use '고프는'.
Time Phrases
Pair this phrase with time words. '항상 배가 고파요' (always hungry) or '금방 배가 고파요' (hungry soon) are very useful patterns.
No Object Particles
Never say '배를 고파요'. The stomach is the subject of the sentence, not the object. Always use '배가'.
Memorízalo
Mnemotecnia
Imagine a BEAR (배) with a GO-PRO (고프) camera on its stomach, looking for food because it is HUNGRY.
Asociación visual
Visualize a large, empty cartoon stomach (배) holding a sign that says 'GO PRO' (고프) to film a cooking show because it wants food.
Word Web
Desafío
Next time you feel hungry, before you eat anything, say '저는 배가 고파요' out loud to yourself three times.
Origen de la palabra
The word '배' comes from Middle Korean '배' (bae), meaning stomach or abdomen. The adjective '고프다' comes from Middle Korean '곺다' (gopda), which originally meant to be empty or hollow. Over time, the combination evolved to specifically mean the stomach is empty, hence, hungry.
Significado original: Literally 'the stomach is empty/hollow'.
KoreanicContexto cultural
notes: Do not joke about starvation (굶주림) in historical contexts, as the older generation experienced severe famine during the Korean War.
In English, we say 'I am hungry'. In Korean, you say 'Stomach is hungry'. This highlights a difference in how the languages frame physical states.
Practica en la vida real
Contextos reales
At home before a meal
- 엄마, 배고파요 (Mom, I'm hungry)
- 밥 언제 먹어요? (When do we eat?)
- 오늘 반찬 뭐예요? (What are the side dishes today?)
- 배고파 죽겠어요 (I'm starving to death)
With friends deciding what to do
- 우리 배고픈데 밥 먹으러 갈까? (We're hungry, shall we go eat?)
- 뭐 먹고 싶어? (What do you want to eat?)
- 나 배고파 (I'm hungry)
- 식당 예약했어? (Did you reserve a restaurant?)
At work/school around lunchtime
- 배 안 고프세요? (Aren't you hungry?)
- 점심 드시러 가실까요? (Shall we go eat lunch?)
- 벌써 배가 고프네요 (I'm already hungry)
- 구내식당 메뉴가 뭐죠? (What's the cafeteria menu?)
Late at night
- 조금 출출한데 야식 먹을까? (I'm a bit peckish, shall we have a late-night snack?)
- 배고파서 잠이 안 와 (I can't sleep because I'm hungry)
- 라면 끓여 먹자 (Let's cook ramen)
- 배달 시킬까? (Shall we order delivery?)
Expressing extreme hunger
- 너무 허기져요 (I'm so famished)
- 배가 고파서 쓰러질 것 같아 (I feel like I'll collapse from hunger)
- 아무것도 안 먹었어 (I haven't eaten anything)
- 당 떨어졌어 (My blood sugar dropped/I need sugar)
Inicios de conversación
"지금 배가 고프신가요? 같이 점심 식사 하러 가실래요?"
"아침을 안 먹고 왔더니 벌써 배가 고프네요. 간식 좀 드실래요?"
"어제 밤에 배가 너무 고파서 라면을 끓여 먹고 잤어요. 야식 좋아하세요?"
"저는 스트레스를 받으면 배가 고프지 않아도 자꾸 먹게 되는데, 당신은 어때요?"
"배가 고플 때 가장 먼저 생각나는 음식이 뭐예요?"
Temas para diario
오늘 하루 중 가장 배가 고팠던 순간은 언제였나요? 그때 어떤 기분이었나요?
배가 고플 때 당신의 성격이나 기분은 어떻게 변하나요? 자세히 적어보세요.
다이어트를 하면서 배고픔을 참아야 했던 경험에 대해 써보세요.
당신이 가장 좋아하는 '배가 고플 때 먹는 음식'은 무엇이며, 그 이유는 무엇인가요?
어린 시절, 배가 고파서 부모님께 투정을 부렸던 기억이 있나요?
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasTechnically, native speakers might understand you from context, but it sounds very unnatural and grammatically incomplete. Always include '배' (stomach). In casual speech, you can drop the particle and say '배고파', which is perfectly natural.
This is due to the 'ㅡ' (eu) irregular conjugation rule in Korean. When a verb or adjective stem ends in 'ㅡ' and is followed by a vowel ending (like 아요/어요), the 'ㅡ' drops. Because the preceding vowel in '고' is 'ㅗ' (a bright vowel), you add '아요', making it '고파요'.
The most common and natural way to express extreme hunger colloquially is '배고파 죽겠어요' (literally: I am hungry to death). For a more formal or literary expression of starvation, you would use the verb '굶주리다'.
You use '이/가' (specifically '가' since '배' ends in a vowel). The phrase is '배가 고프다'. While you could theoretically say '배는 고프다' to contrast your stomach with another body part (e.g., my stomach is hungry, but my head hurts), '배가' is the standard, neutral way to state the fact.
If you are speaking to someone much older or in a superior position (like a grandparent or a boss), you should use the honorific vocabulary '시장하다'. You would ask, '시장하십니까?' or '시장하세요?'.
Yes, especially at advanced levels. Just like in English, you can be 'hungry for success' (성공에 배가 고프다) or 'hungry for love' (사랑에 고프다). However, its primary and most common use is literal physical hunger.
'배가 고프다' is the general term for being hungry and usually implies you want a full meal. '출출하다' means to be 'peckish' or slightly hungry, usually implying you just want a light snack or a late-night bite (야식).
You conjugate the adjective into the past tense. The stem is '고파', and you add the past tense marker 'ㅆ어요', resulting in '배가 고팠어요' (bae-ga go-pat-sseo-yo).
Yes, '배고픔' is the noun form of the adjective, meaning 'hunger'. You create it by attaching the noun-making suffix 'ㅁ' to the stem '고프', but following the irregular rule, it becomes '고픔'. Example: 배고픔을 참다 (to endure hunger).
No, absolutely not. '고프다' is an adjective (descriptive verb), and adjectives cannot act on objects in Korean. You must use the subject particle '가'.
Ponte a prueba 200 preguntas
Write a polite sentence saying 'I am hungry because I didn't eat breakfast.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
아침을 안 먹어서 배가 고파요.
Use '아침을 안 먹다' (didn't eat breakfast) + '어서' (because) + '배가 고파요' (hungry).
Use '아침을 안 먹다' (didn't eat breakfast) + '어서' (because) + '배가 고파요' (hungry).
Write a casual sentence to a friend saying 'I'm starving to death.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
나 배고파 죽겠어.
Use casual pronoun '나', drop the particle, and use the hyperbolic '죽겠어'.
Use casual pronoun '나', drop the particle, and use the hyperbolic '죽겠어'.
Write a formal sentence asking a boss 'Are you hungry?'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
사장님, 혹시 시장하십니까?
Must use the honorific '시장하다' and formal ending '십니까'.
Must use the honorific '시장하다' and formal ending '십니까'.
Write a sentence saying 'If you are hungry, let's go to a restaurant.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
배가 고프면 식당에 갑시다.
Use conditional '면' and suggestive ending 'ㅂ시다'.
Use conditional '면' and suggestive ending 'ㅂ시다'.
Write a sentence saying 'I was very hungry last night.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
어제 밤에 너무 배가 고팠어요.
Use past tense '고팠어요' and adverb '너무' (very).
Use past tense '고팠어요' and adverb '너무' (very).
Write a sentence saying 'I am hungry, but I will endure it.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
배가 고프지만 참을 거예요.
Use '지만' (but) and '참다' (to endure) in future tense.
Use '지만' (but) and '참다' (to endure) in future tense.
Write a sentence saying 'I am a little peckish.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
조금 출출하네요.
Use the synonym '출출하다' for being peckish.
Use the synonym '출출하다' for being peckish.
Write a sentence saying 'When I am hungry, I get angry.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
저는 배가 고플 때 화가 나요.
Use 'ㄹ 때' (when) and '화가 나다' (to get angry).
Use 'ㄹ 때' (when) and '화가 나다' (to get angry).
Write a sentence saying 'The hungry cat is drinking milk.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
배가 고픈 고양이가 우유를 마셔요.
Use the modifier form '고픈' before '고양이'.
Use the modifier form '고픈' before '고양이'.
Write a sentence saying 'I can't sleep because I'm hungry.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
배가 고파서 잠이 안 와요.
Use '아서' (because) and '잠이 안 오다' (sleep doesn't come).
Use '아서' (because) and '잠이 안 오다' (sleep doesn't come).
Write a sentence saying 'Even if I eat a lot, I get hungry soon.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
많이 먹어도 금방 배가 고파요.
Use '아/어도' (even if) and '금방' (soon).
Use '아/어도' (even if) and '금방' (soon).
Write a sentence saying 'Are you already hungry?'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
벌써 배가 고파요?
Use '벌써' (already) and a question mark.
Use '벌써' (already) and a question mark.
Write a sentence saying 'I am always hungry because I am on a diet.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
다이어트 중이라서 항상 배가 고파요.
Use '중이라서' (because I am in the middle of) and '항상' (always).
Use '중이라서' (because I am in the middle of) and '항상' (always).
Write a sentence saying 'Let's eat a late-night snack.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
야식 먹자.
'야식' means late-night snack, '자' is casual suggestion.
'야식' means late-night snack, '자' is casual suggestion.
Write a sentence saying 'My stomach is completely empty.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
배가 텅 비었어요.
Use '텅 비다' (completely empty) in past tense.
Use '텅 비다' (completely empty) in past tense.
Write a sentence saying 'He is a person hungry for success.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
그는 성공에 배가 고픈 사람입니다.
Metaphorical use of '고픈' modifying '사람'.
Metaphorical use of '고픈' modifying '사람'.
Write a sentence saying 'I soothed my hunger with water.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
물로 배고픔을 달랬어요.
Use noun '배고픔' and verb '달래다'.
Use noun '배고픔' and verb '달래다'.
Write a sentence saying 'Because of the war, people starved.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
전쟁 때문에 사람들이 굶주렸습니다.
Use formal word '굶주리다'.
Use formal word '굶주리다'.
Write a sentence saying 'I am full.' (Antonym)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
배가 불러요.
Use '부르다' (to be full).
Use '부르다' (to be full).
Write a sentence saying 'I feel dizzy because I am famished.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
허기져서 현기증이 나요.
Use '허기지다' and '현기증이 나다'.
Use '허기지다' and '현기증이 나다'.
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Why does Jimin look unwell?
Jimin says '아무것도 못 먹어서 배가 고파 죽겠어' (I haven't eaten anything so I'm starving to death).
How does the grandmother feel?
She says '마침 출출하던 참이다' (I was just feeling peckish).
Will person B eat lunch?
B says '난 별로 배가 안 고파' (I'm not really hungry).
What does person B want to eat?
B asks '라면 끓여 먹으면 안 돼요?' because they are very famished (허기져요).
Why can't person B concentrate?
B says '배가 고파서 집중이 전혀 안 됩니다' (I can't concentrate at all because I'm hungry).
Is person B actually hungry?
B says '배가 고프지도 않은데' (Even though I'm not even hungry).
Why couldn't person B sleep well?
B says '배가 고파서 새벽 2시까지 뒤척였어' (I tossed and turned until 2 AM because I was hungry).
What does person B carry in their bag?
They carry it because there are many '배가 고픈 고양이들' (hungry cats).
Why is person A ordering 3 portions for 2 people?
A says '지금 너무 배가 고파서 다 먹을 수 있어요' (I am so hungry right now I can eat it all).
What was the problem during the hike?
B says '내려올 때 너무 굶주렸어' (I was starving on the way down).
Is person A physically sick?
'배 아프다' is used idiomatically here to mean jealous about Minsu's stock success.
How does person B feel?
B says '배가 부르니까' (Because I am full).
What are they going to do first?
They use the idiom '금강산도 식후경' to justify eating before working.
How did person A know person B was hungry?
A says '배에서 꼬르륵 소리 나' (Your stomach is growling).
Is the boss ready to eat?
The boss says '아직 괜찮네' (I'm still fine) when asked '시장하십니까?'.
/ 200 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
'배가 고프다' is the essential Korean phrase for 'I am hungry,' combining 'stomach' (배) with 'hungry' (고프다). Example: 너무 배가 고파요! (I am so hungry!)
- Literally means 'stomach is hungry'.
- Conjugates as an irregular 'ㅡ' verb (고파요).
- Used universally to express physical hunger.
- Cannot be used with object particles (를/을).
The 'ㅡ' Irregular
Always remember that '고프다' drops the 'ㅡ' when conjugated. It becomes '고파요', never '고퍼요' or '고프어요'.
Drop the Particle
In casual conversations with friends, you don't need to say '배가 고파'. Just saying '배고파' is the most natural way to speak.
Food as Affection
If you tell a Korean person you are hungry, be prepared to eat! Feeding someone is a primary way Koreans show they care about you.
Aspirated 'P'
Make sure the 'ㅍ' in '고프다' has a strong puff of air. It is not an 'f' sound and not a soft 'b' sound.
Contenido relacionado
Gramática relacionada
Más palabras de emotions
받아들이다
A2Aceptar, admitir, acoger.
아파하다
A2To feel pain or sorrow.
감탄스럽다
A2To be admirable or wonderful; to inspire awe.
감탄
A2Admiration or marvel; a feeling of wonder.
감탄하다
A2To admire or to marvel; to express wonder.
기특하다
B1Admirable for a good deed or thought; commendable.
충고
B1Orientación o recomendaciones ofrecidas con respecto a una acción futura prudente; consejo sincero.
애정
B1Affection; a gentle feeling of fondness or liking.
애틋하다
B2To be tender, fond, or wistful.
살갑다
B2To be warm, friendly, affectionate.