밥 먹었어요?
bap meogeosseoyo
Have you eaten? (Korean greeting/caring question)
What it means
밥 먹었어요? is the uniquely Korean way of showing care — asking "have you eaten?" instead of "how are you?" In Korean culture, eating well is a form of care and the question reflects concern for one's well-being.
Nuance & when to use
This question is deeply cultural. When a Korean parent calls, they often open with 밥 먹었어? (Did you eat?). Between friends: 밥 먹었어? Polite: 식사 하셨어요? (Have you had a meal?). The question isn't really about food — it's about whether you're taking care of yourself. Saying no can invite worry and concern.
⚠ Common mistake
Saying 아직요 (not yet) can make Koreans feel obligated to feed you! Be prepared for an invitation to eat.
Example sentences
See also
FAQ
When is this used?
This question is deeply cultural. When a Korean parent calls, they often open with 밥 먹었어? (Did you eat?). Between friends: 밥 먹었어? Polite: 식사 하셨어요? (Have you had a meal?). The question isn't really about food — it's about whether you're taking care of yourself. Saying no can invite worry and concern.
What's a common mistake?
Saying 아직요 (not yet) can make Koreans feel obligated to feed you! Be prepared for an invitation to eat.
Ready to learn more Korean?
Get one free Korean lesson every day — straight to your inbox.
Get Daily Korean Free →Free forever · No spam · Unsubscribe anytime