Signification
The general act of eating.
Contexte culturel
Offering food is mandatory for hosts. Even if you are not hungry, you should take a small bite to show respect. In the countryside, 'хоол идэх' often involves a communal bowl or platter, emphasizing sharing. Business deals are frequently discussed over a meal ('хоол идэх зуураа'), blending social and professional life. During the Lunar New Year, you are expected to 'хоол идэх' (specifically Buuz) at every house you visit.
The 'Have you eaten?' Rule
If someone asks 'Хоол идсэн үү?', they are being friendly. You can say 'Идсэн' even if you haven't, if you don't want to bother them for food.
Don't say 'Би хоол байна'
This literally means 'I am food'. Always remember the verb 'идэх'.
Signification
The general act of eating.
The 'Have you eaten?' Rule
If someone asks 'Хоол идсэн үү?', they are being friendly. You can say 'Идсэн' even if you haven't, if you don't want to bother them for food.
Don't say 'Би хоол байна'
This literally means 'I am food'. Always remember the verb 'идэх'.
Compliment the Cook
Always say 'Сайхан хоол болжээ' (It was a beautiful meal) after eating at someone's house.
Use 'Идье' for Invitations
Instead of asking a question, saying 'Хамт хоол идье!' (Let's eat together!) sounds very natural and friendly.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'идэх' for the present continuous.
Би одоо хоол ___ байна.
The suffix '-ж байна' is used for actions happening right now.
Which phrase is the most common way to ask 'Have you eaten?' in Mongolian?
...
This is the standard greeting and inquiry about someone's well-being.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Хамт хоол идэх үү? B: ___
'Тэгье' means 'Let's do that' and 'идье' is 'let's eat'.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: You are at a friend's house and they offer you food.
It's polite to thank the host and compliment the food.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Eating vs. Snacking
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesБи одоо хоол ___ байна.
The suffix '-ж байна' is used for actions happening right now.
...
This is the standard greeting and inquiry about someone's well-being.
A: Хамт хоол идэх үү? B: ___
'Тэгье' means 'Let's do that' and 'идье' is 'let's eat'.
Situation: You are at a friend's house and they offer you food.
It's polite to thank the host and compliment the food.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, 'Хоол' is a generic term for any kind of food or meal, whether it's pizza, sushi, or buuz.
Yes, in Mongolian you 'eat' soup (шөл идэх), whereas in some languages you 'drink' it.
'Хоол идэх' is the common phrase, while 'Хооллох' is a more formal verb meaning 'to dine'.
You say 'Би цадчихлаа'.
In a home setting, it's best to finish what you're given, but leaving a tiny bit is sometimes seen as a sign that the host provided more than enough.
Use 'идсэн' for 'ate'. For example: 'Би өчигдөр гоё хоол идсэн'.
Yes, just add 'өглөөний' (morning) before 'хоол'.
You can say 'Би мах иддэггүй' (I don't eat meat) when someone invites you to 'хоол идэх'.
Yes, 'Lunch meetings' are very common and are referred to as 'Хоол идэх зуураа уулзах'.
It's a cultural remnant of nomadic life where food security was the most important indicator of well-being.
Expressions liées
Хооллох
synonymTo dine
Юм идэх
similarTo eat something/snack
Цай уух
similarTo drink tea
Зооглох
specialized formTo feast/dine (honorific)
Өлсөх
contrastTo be hungry
Цадах
contrastTo be full
