I'll treat you today / It's on me

Day 124 — I’ll treat you today / It’s on me | Korean Blueprint

Today’s Phrase

오늘 제가 살게요

o·neul je·ga sal·ge·yo

oneul jega salgeyo

I’ll treat you today / It’s on me

Cultural Insight

In Korea, treating (사다) is an important social gesture. Older or senior people often pay for juniors (선배가 후배에게), and birthdays or celebrations are commonly treated by the ‘star’ of the event. The payment competition (서로 내겠다) can be a charming social dance.

Phrase Breakdown

오늘 제가

oneul jega

today, I (humble subject)

오늘 (today) + 제가 (humble I as subject)

살게요

salgeyo

I will buy/treat

사다 (to buy) + -ㄹ게요 (promise/intention)

Generously offers to pay for someone else — a common gesture in Korean social culture.

Example Phrases

오늘 제가 살게요. 지갑 꺼내지 마세요!

Oneul jega salgeyo. Jiganp kkeonaejimaseyo!

Today’s on me. Don’t take out your wallet!

꺼내다 = to take out; -지 마세요 = please don’t.

생일이잖아요. 당연히 제가 살게요!

Saengilijanayo. Dangyeonhee jega salgeyo!

It’s your birthday! Of course I’ll treat you!

당연히 = of course/naturally.

다음에는 제가 살게요.

Daeumeneun jega salgeyo.

Next time I’ll treat.

다음에는 = next time (with emphasis).

Related Phrases

더치페이 해요

deochi pei haeyo

Let’s go Dutch / Split equally

Suggesting equal splitting of the bill.

이번엔 제가 낼게요

ibeonaen jega naelgeyo

I’ll pay this time

Volunteering to pay for the current meal.

다음에 사 줘요

daeume sa jweoyo

Treat me next time

Asking the other person to treat you next time.

Quick Review

마음에 들어요

Can you recall what this means?

maeume deureoyo

I like it / It pleases me