맛있어요
How to say delicious in Korean A1
맛있어요, 맛있다, 맛있습니다, 맛있네요, and the slang 존맛 — plus how to compliment the cook.
Every form, from formal to casual
The adjective is 맛있다 (“taste exists”). Its opposite is 맛없다. Korean adjectives conjugate like verbs, so the ending sets the politeness.
| Korean | Romanization | Level | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 맛있습니다 | masitseumnida | Formal | Formal dinner, TV |
| 맛있어요 | masisseoyo | Polite | To staff, hosts |
| 맛있다 | masitta | Exclamation | To yourself / friends: “yum!” |
| 맛있네요 | masinneyo | Polite | Pleasant surprise |
| 진짜 맛있어요 | jinjja masisseoyo | Polite | Really delicious |
| 존맛 / JMT | jonmat | Slang | Texting, young friends |
Which one do I actually use?
At a restaurant the staff will love a 맛있어요! as they pass. Leaving: 잘 먹었습니다 (“I ate well”) is the proper thank-you for a meal — more natural than 감사합니다 for food. At someone’s home: 진짜 맛있어요, 잘 먹었습니다.
Pronunciation notes
- 맛있어요
Said [마시써요]: ㅅ batchim moves onto 있, and ㅆ onto 어.
- 맛있네요
[마신네요]: ㅆ before ㄴ becomes ㄴ.
Vocabulary set
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Quick drill
Common mistakes
- ✗ 맛있다 to the restaurant owner✓ 맛있어요맛있다 is the plain/exclamatory form; add 요 to be polite.
- ✗ 감사합니다 after finishing a home-cooked meal✓ 잘 먹었습니다Koreans thank for a meal with “I ate well.”
Example sentences
이거 진짜 맛있어요!
igeo jinjja masisseoyo!
This is really delicious!
잘 먹었습니다.
jal meogeotseumnida.
Thank you for the meal (I ate well).
FAQ
How do you say delicious in Korean?
맛있어요 (masisseoyo) politely, 맛있다 as an exclamation, 맛있습니다 formally.
What does 존맛 (JMT) mean?
Slang for “insanely tasty,” from 존맛탱. Casual only.
How do you say “I enjoyed the meal” in Korean?
잘 먹었습니다 — the standard phrase after eating.
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