KoreanBlueprint
Daily Korean
Today’s Phrase
잘 먹겠습니다
jal meok·ges·seum·ni·da
jal meokgessseumnida
I will eat well / Thank you for the food
Cultural Insight
잘 먹겠습니다 and 잘 먹었습니다 are meal etiquette staples in Korea. They show respect to the cook and gratitude for the food. In family settings, these phrases are often said before and after every meal.
Phrase Breakdown
잘
jal
well
Adverb meaning ‘well’ or ‘properly’
먹겠습니다
meokgessseumnida
I will eat (formal intent)
-겠- expresses intention; -습니다 is formal ending
A ritual phrase said before eating, expressing gratitude to the host or cook.
Example Phrases
잘 먹겠습니다! 오늘도 잘 부탁해요.
Jal meokgessseumnida! Oneuldo jal butakaeyo.
Thank you for the food! Please take care of me today too.
-도 means ‘also’ or ‘even’.
잘 먹겠습니다, 많이 만드셨네요!
Jal meokgessseumnida, mani mandeusyeonnneyo!
Thank you for the food — you made so much!
만드시다 is honorific for 만들다 (to make).
잘 먹었습니다!
Jal meogeossseumnida!
That was a great meal! (said after eating)
먹었습니다 is past tense — said after finishing.
Related Phrases
잘 먹었습니다
jal meogeossseumnida
I ate well / That was delicious
Said after finishing a meal.
맛있게 드세요
masitge deuseyo
Enjoy your meal
Said to someone who is about to eat.
많이 드세요
mani deuseyo
Please eat a lot
Said to encourage someone to eat heartily.
Quick Review
어서 오세요
Can you recall what this means?
eoseo oseyo
Welcome / Please come in