A1 Expression 正式

어서 드세요

eoseo deuseyo

Please eat

Phrase in 30 Seconds

A polite, essential phrase used to invite someone to begin eating their meal.

  • Means: 'Please eat' or 'Go ahead and eat'.
  • Used in: Restaurants, homes, or whenever food is served.
  • Don't confuse: It is not a command; it is a polite suggestion.
Polite bow + food on table = warm invitation to eat

Explanation at your level:

This is a simple, polite way to tell someone to start eating their food. It is very common in restaurants.
Used as a polite invitation, this phrase helps guests feel comfortable starting their meal. It combines the adverb '어서' with the honorific verb '드시다'.
This expression functions as a social marker in Korean dining etiquette. By using the honorific '-(으)세요' ending, the speaker demonstrates respect while simultaneously encouraging the guest to enjoy the meal without hesitation.
In the context of Korean social hierarchy, '어서 드세요' serves to mitigate the potential awkwardness of a guest waiting for the host to initiate the meal. It is a pragmatic expression that balances politeness with the necessity of starting a communal activity.
Linguistically, this phrase utilizes the honorific verb '드시다' to elevate the status of the listener. The adverb '어서' functions here not as a literal temporal constraint, but as a pragmatic marker of encouragement, effectively removing the social barrier to beginning a meal.
The phrase '어서 드세요' is a quintessential example of Korean honorific pragmatics. It functions as a speech act of invitation, where the speaker assumes the role of a facilitator. The use of the honorific '드시다' acknowledges the listener's social standing, while the imperative '-(으)세요' provides a socially sanctioned directive, thereby harmonizing the dining environment.

意思

A polite invitation to start eating.

🌍

文化背景

Waiting for the eldest to start is a sign of respect. Food is a communal bond.

💡

Smile

Always smile when saying it.

意思

A polite invitation to start eating.

💡

Smile

Always smile when saying it.

自我测试

Which phrase is most polite for a guest?

Choose the best option.

✓ 正确！ ✗ 不太对。 正确答案： 어서 드세요

어서 드세요 is the standard polite form.

🎉 得分： /1

常见问题

1 个问题

Yes, it is polite.

相关表达

🔗

맛있게 드세요

similar

Enjoy your meal

在哪里用

🍽️

Restaurant

Server: 주문하신 음식 나왔습니다. 어서 드세요.

formal
🏠

Home Dinner

Host: 많이 차린 건 없지만 어서 드세요.

neutral

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Uh-suh' (어서) as 'Us-uh' (us, eat!).

Visual Association

A steaming bowl of rice with a friendly hand gesturing towards it.

Rhyme

어서 드세요, 맛있게 드세요.

Story

You are at a dinner party. You look at your friend who is waiting for you. You smile and say '어서 드세요' to tell them it is okay to start.

Word Web

식사음식맛있다드시다배고프다초대

挑战

Say this phrase to a friend or family member before your next meal.

In Other Languages

Spanish moderate

Buen provecho

Korean focuses on the action of eating, Spanish on the benefit of the meal.

French moderate

Bon appétit

French is a wish; Korean is a polite command.

German moderate

Guten Appetit

Korean is more directive.

Japanese high

召し上がれ

Japanese is often used by the cook; Korean is used by the host.

Arabic low

بالهناء والشفاء

Korean is a social invitation; Arabic is a blessing.

Easily Confused

어서 드세요 对比 빨리 드세요

Learners think 'quickly' means 'please'.

Avoid '빨리' in dining contexts.

常见问题 (1)

Yes, it is polite.

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