KoreanBlueprint
Daily Korean
Today’s Phrase
배고파요
bae·go·pa·yo
baegopayo
I’m hungry
Did You Know?
Food culture is central to Korean social life. The phrase ‘밥 먹었어요?’ (Did you eat?) is used as a greeting akin to ‘How are you?’ — showing deep concern for others’ well-being through the lens of nourishment.
Phrase Breakdown
배
bae
stomach, belly
The noun for stomach
고파요
gopayo
is empty/hungry
고프다 = to be hungry; polite form
Literally ‘my stomach is empty’ — the natural way to say you’re hungry.
Example Phrases
저 너무 배고파요, 밥 먹어요!
Jeo neomu baegopayo, bap meogeoyo!
I’m so hungry, let’s eat!
밥 먹어요 can be a statement or suggestion: ‘let’s eat rice/food’.
배고프면 이거 먹어요.
Baegopeumyeon igeo meogeoyo.
If you’re hungry, eat this.
-면 is the conditional ‘if’ ending.
점심 먹었어요? 배고파요?
Jeomsim meogeosseoyo? Baegopayo?
Did you eat lunch? Are you hungry?
점심 means lunch.
Related Phrases
목말라요
mongmallayo
I’m thirsty
Expresses thirst.
배불러요
baebulleoyo
I’m full
Said after eating enough.
뭐 먹을까요?
mwo meogeulkkayo?
What shall we eat?
A common question when deciding on a meal.
Quick Review
한국어를 못해요
Can you recall what this means?
hangugeoLeul mothaeyo
I can’t speak Korean