Meaning
To eat enough food to feel full.
Cultural Background
In Korea, food is a primary way to show care. 'Did you eat?' is a common greeting, and '배를 채우다' is a humble way to acknowledge that you are taking care of your health. Similar to Korea, the focus on 'filling the stomach' is a practical way to discuss daily meals without being overly formal. Food is central to social life. '填饱肚子' is a common phrase used when discussing quick meals during a busy day. While 'filling the belly' exists, it is often used more casually or even jokingly compared to the neutral usage in Korean.
Use it for quick meals
It's perfect for when you're grabbing a snack or a quick lunch.
Don't use in formal dining
It sounds too utilitarian for a fancy restaurant.
Meaning
To eat enough food to feel full.
Use it for quick meals
It's perfect for when you're grabbing a snack or a quick lunch.
Don't use in formal dining
It sounds too utilitarian for a fancy restaurant.
Combine with purpose
Use '배를 채우려고' to explain your motivation for eating.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct verb form.
너무 배고파서 빨리 __________ 가요.
The '-러 가다' pattern is used to express the purpose of going somewhere.
Choose the most natural sentence.
Which sentence is most natural?
The simple past tense is the most natural way to say you have eaten.
Match the Korean phrase with its English meaning.
Match the following:
These are common food-related idioms.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 배고파요. B: __________.
This is a logical response to someone saying they are hungry.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercises너무 배고파서 빨리 __________ 가요.
The '-러 가다' pattern is used to express the purpose of going somewhere.
Which sentence is most natural?
The simple past tense is the most natural way to say you have eaten.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are common food-related idioms.
A: 배고파요. B: __________.
This is a logical response to someone saying they are hungry.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, it is neutral. You can say '점심으로 배를 채우고 오겠습니다.'
No, it is not rude. It is a very common, functional phrase.
You can say '아직 배를 다 못 채웠어요.'
No, it works for any food.
No, it is specifically for food.
'밥 먹다' is general; '배를 채우다' emphasizes the hunger-satisfaction aspect.
Yes, you can say '강아지 배를 채워줬어요.'
No, it is standard Korean.
Yes, it is common in essays and articles.
There isn't a direct opposite, but '배가 고프다' (to be hungry) is the state before.
Related Phrases
배가 부르다
contrastTo be full
허기를 달래다
similarTo soothe hunger
식사를 하다
similarTo have a meal
밥을 먹다
similarTo eat a meal
