[Learn][Korean] "Did You Eat?" – A Unique Korean Greeting

did you eat

If you’ve ever spent time in Korea or spoken with Korean friends, you may have heard the phrase "밥 먹었어요?" (Bap meogeosseoyo?). At first glance, it translates to "Did you eat?" However, this phrase is much more than a simple inquiry about your meal.

Let’s explore the real meaning behind this expression and how you can use it in daily conversations!

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1. More Than Just Asking About Food

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In many cultures, people greet each other with "How are you?" or "How’s your day?"
In Korea, however, a common way to check on someone is by asking, "Did you eat?"

This phrase doesn’t just mean "Have you eaten?" but also implies:

✔ "Are you doing well?"
✔ "Are you taking care of yourself?"
✔ "I care about you."

Example Conversation

A: 밥은 잘 먹고 다녀요? (Are you eating well?)
B: 네, 잘 먹고 다녀요. (Yes, I’m eating well.)
A: 다행이네요! (That’s a relief!)

 

In Korean culture, food is an important part of daily life, and making sure someone has eaten is a way of showing concern and affection.

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2. When to Use "밥 먹었어요?"

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You can use this phrase in various situations:

 

✔ When greeting a friend after a long time – "밥은 먹고 다녀?" (How have you been?)
✔ When talking to family or close friends – "밥 잘 챙겨 먹어!" (Make sure you eat well!)

 

Parents often ask their children "밥은 먹었어?", and couples use this phrase to express care for each other.

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3. How to Respond Naturally

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If someone asks you "밥 먹었어요?", you can respond in different ways:

 

✔ 네, 먹었어요! (Yes, I ate!)
✔ 아직이요~ (Not yet~)
✔ 뭐 먹을지 고민 중이에요. (I’m thinking about what to eat.)
✔ 같이 먹을래요? (Do you want to eat together?)

 

If you say "Not yet", the other person might suggest eating together!

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4. Similar Korean Expressions

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Here are some other phrases with a similar meaning:

 

✔ "뭐 먹었어요?" (What did you eat?)
✔ "배 안 고파요?" (Aren’t you hungry?)
✔ "밥 챙겨 먹어!" (Don’t forget to eat!)
✔ "밥 같이 먹을래요?" (Shall we eat together?)

 

All of these expressions are ways of showing concern and affection for someone.

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5. Should Foreigners Use "밥 먹었어요?"?

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Absolutely! If you ask a Korean friend "밥 먹었어요?", they will likely be surprised and happy. It’s a friendly and natural way to start a conversation.

 

✔ Next time you meet a Korean friend, try saying "밥 먹었어요?"
✔ If you want to sound even more caring, say "밥 잘 챙겨 먹어요~" (Take care and eat well!).

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Final Thoughts

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"Did you eat?" in Korean is not just about food—it’s a warm and caring way to check on someone.
Since food = affection in Korean culture, using this phrase will help you connect with people on a deeper level.

 

✔ Now that you know what "밥 먹었어요?" really means, try using it in your next conversation!