KOREAN LEVEL UP › Korean phrases › Greetings & basics › 잘 먹었습니다
How to Say “Thank you for the meal” in Korean: 잘 먹었습니다
잘 먹었습니다
jal meogeotseumnida
Meaning
Thank you for the meal (after eating).
Usage note
Said after finishing a meal. Be sure to say it clearly when someone has treated you.
Romanization follows the Revised Romanization system and is a guide to pronunciation.
How to pronounce it
Said aloud, it sounds like [잘 머걷씀니다].
| Syllable | Letters (consonant + vowel + final) | Romanization |
|---|---|---|
| 잘 | ㅈ+ㅏ+ㄹ | jal |
| 먹었습니다 | ||
| 먹 | ㅁ+ㅓ+ㄱ | [머] meo |
| 었 | ㅇ+ㅓ+ㅆ | [걷] geot |
| 습 | ㅅ+ㅡ+ㅂ | [씀] seum |
| 니 | ㄴ+ㅣ | ni |
| 다 | ㄷ+ㅏ | da |
A ㅇ at the start of a syllable is silent; at the end of a syllable it sounds like “ng”.
Sound changes in this phrase
- Linking: when a syllable ending in a consonant (patchim) is followed by a syllable that starts with a vowel, the consonant moves over to the next syllable. 먹었습 → [머걷씀]
- Tensing: after a final ㄱ, ㄷ or ㅂ sound, ㄱ, ㄷ, ㅂ, ㅅ and ㅈ become tense (ㄲ, ㄸ, ㅃ, ㅆ, ㅉ). 었습니 → [얻씀니]
- Nasalization: a final ㄱ, ㄷ or ㅂ becomes ㅇ, ㄴ or ㅁ before ㄴ or ㅁ (and a ㄹ after ㅁ or ㅇ becomes ㄴ). 습니 → [슴니]
Speech style
Ends in -ㅂ니다 or -습니다. The most formal polite style, used for announcements, presentations, business and first meetings.
Quick self-check
Test yourself before you move on. Tap an answer.
Question 1 What does “잘 먹었습니다” mean?
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Answer: Thank you for the meal (after eating)
Question 2 How do you say “Thank you for the meal (after eating)” in Korean?
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Answer: 잘 먹었습니다 jal meogeotseumnida
Question 3 How is “잘 먹었습니다” pronounced?
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Answer: [잘 머걷씀니다]
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Practice in the gameMore phrases for this situation
- 잘 먹겠습니다Thank you for the meal (before eating)
- 오랜만이에요It’s been a while
- 좋은 아침이에요Good morning
- 잘 지냈어요?How have you been
- 또 만나요Let’s meet again
- 잘 모르겠어요I’m not sure
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