意思
A polite offer to let someone start eating before you.
文化背景
The 'Spoon Rule' (수저 예절) dictates that the eldest person at the table must lift their spoon first. Saying '먼저 드세요' is a way to explicitly follow or politely bypass this rule. In business, the host or the person of lower rank often says this to the client or boss to show they are prioritizing the other's needs. On a first date, a man or woman might say this if the other person's food arrives first to show they are considerate and well-mannered. Korean hosts often stay in the kitchen to bring out more food. They will repeatedly tell guests '먼저 드세요' to ensure the guests don't wait and let the food get cold.
The 'Two-Time' Rule
In Korea, someone might decline your '먼저 드세요' once out of politeness. It's good to offer it twice to show you really mean it.
Add '식기 전에'
Adding '식기 전에' (Before it gets cold) makes your offer sound more caring and less like a formal rule.
意思
A polite offer to let someone start eating before you.
The 'Two-Time' Rule
In Korea, someone might decline your '먼저 드세요' once out of politeness. It's good to offer it twice to show you really mean it.
Add '식기 전에'
Adding '식기 전에' (Before it gets cold) makes your offer sound more caring and less like a formal rule.
Watch the Hierarchy
If you are the youngest, wait for the oldest to say '먼저 들어요' or '먹자' before you start, even if you said '먼저 드세요'.
自我测试
Which phrase is most appropriate to say to your boss when your food is late?
부장님, 제 음식이 늦네요. _______.
'먼저 드세요' is the correct polite/honorific form for a superior.
Complete the dialogue between two friends (informal).
A: 나 화장실 좀 다녀올게. B: 알았어. 배고픈데 나 _______?
In an informal setting, '먼저 먹어도 돼?' (Can I eat first?) is natural.
Match the phrase to the person you are speaking to.
1. Grandmother 2. Younger Brother 3. Client
Grandmother gets the highest honorific, brother gets informal, and client gets standard polite.
Fill in the blank with the correct word for 'first'.
음식이 식기 전에 ____ 드세요.
'먼저' means 'ahead/first' in terms of order.
🎉 得分： /4
视觉学习工具
Who to say '먼저 드세요' to
Polite (드세요)
- • Boss
- • Teacher
- • In-laws
- • Strangers
Casual (먹어)
- • Best friend
- • Younger sibling
- • Child
练习题库
4 练习부장님, 제 음식이 늦네요. _______.
'먼저 드세요' is the correct polite/honorific form for a superior.
A: 나 화장실 좀 다녀올게. B: 알았어. 배고픈데 나 _______?
In an informal setting, '먼저 먹어도 돼?' (Can I eat first?) is natural.
1. Grandmother 2. Younger Brother 3. Client
Grandmother gets the highest honorific, brother gets informal, and client gets standard polite.
음식이 식기 전에 ____ 드세요.
'먼저' means 'ahead/first' in terms of order.
🎉 得分： /4
常见问题
14 个问题Yes! '드시다' is the honorific for both eating and drinking. You can say it when someone's coffee arrives first.
It's not grammatically 'wrong', but it's rarely used. '드세요' is the standard polite way to talk about others eating.
You should say '먼저 먹어' or '먼저 먹으렴' (very fatherly/motherly).
Absolutely. It's very common in group chats when you are running late for a meal.
'먼저 잡수십시오' is the highest level, but it's mostly used for very elderly people or in historical dramas.
Usually, yes. It's polite to wait until they take at least one bite.
Yes, it works for any kind of food or refreshment.
It means 'first' in terms of sequence or 'ahead' in space.
Yes, for example, if you are sharing a table at a crowded cafeteria.
You can say '감사합니다, 그럼 먼저 먹을게요' (Thank you, then I will eat first).
Young people might say '먼저 ㄱㄱ' (Meonjeo go-go) in texts.
Korean uses 'suppletive' honorifics where a completely different word is used to show respect.
Yes, if you are just watching them eat or waiting for someone else.
With the right soft intonation, it sounds like a kind suggestion, not a command.
相关表达
맛있게 드세요
similarEnjoy your meal
잘 먹겠습니다
builds onI will eat well
천천히 드세요
similarEat slowly / Take your time
많이 드세요
similarPlease eat a lot
먼저 가세요
similarPlease go first
