먹자
meokja
Let's eat! (the universal Korean call to action)
What it means
먹자 is the casual volitional form of 먹다 (to eat) — meaning "let's eat!" Simple, direct, and extremely common. In Korean culture, sharing food is the foundation of relationships.
Nuance & when to use
먹자 = let's eat (casual, among friends). 먹읍시다 = let's eat (formal). 드세요 = please eat (polite invitation). Food in Korean culture is central to socializing — Koreans don't ask "how are you?" as often as "밥 먹었어요?" (Did you eat?). This reflects the culture's connection between food and care.
⚠ Common mistake
먹자 is very casual — only use with close friends or people your age/younger. 먹어요 (let's eat, polite) or 드세요 (please eat) for others.
Example sentences
See also
FAQ
When is this used?
먹자 = let's eat (casual, among friends). 먹읍시다 = let's eat (formal). 드세요 = please eat (polite invitation). Food in Korean culture is central to socializing — Koreans don't ask "how are you?" as often as "밥 먹었어요?" (Did you eat?). This reflects the culture's connection between food and care.
What's a common mistake?
먹자 is very casual — only use with close friends or people your age/younger. 먹어요 (let's eat, polite) or 드세요 (please eat) for others.
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