Korean verb · regular · first needed at beginner level (A1)
먹다
meokda
to eat
To or about older people and customers, use the honorific (deusida): (deuseyo), please eat. Before and after a meal: (jal meokgetseumnida), (jal meogeotseumnida).
Present
현재
Now, habits and the near future. Polite is the everyday default; formal is for speeches, announcements and service; casual is for close friends and family.
| polite | 먹어요meogeoyo | |
|---|---|---|
| formal | 먹습니다meokseumnida | |
| casual | 먹어meogeo | |
| polite negative | 안 먹어요an meogeoyo |
Past
과거
Something that happened or is finished; also “have done”.
| polite | 먹었어요meogeosseoyo | |
|---|---|---|
| formal | 먹었습니다meogeotseumnida | |
| casual | 먹었어meogeosseo | |
| polite negative | 안 먹었어요an meogeosseoyo |
Future
미래
Plans and intentions with -(으)ㄹ 거예요; with other people or things as the subject, often a guess.
| polite | 먹을 거예요meogeul geoyeyo | |
|---|---|---|
| formal | 먹을 겁니다meogeul geomnida | |
| casual | 먹을 거야meogeul geoya | |
| polite negative | 안 먹을 거예요an meogeul geoyeyo |
Progressive
진행
Doing right now, or an ongoing situation these days (-고 있다).
| polite | 먹고 있어요meokgo isseoyo | |
|---|---|---|
| formal | 먹고 있습니다meokgo itseumnida | |
| casual | 먹고 있어meokgo isseo | |
| polite negative | 안 먹고 있어요an meokgo isseoyo |
Request
명령
Offering food politely uses the honorific (deusida): (deuseyo), not 먹으세요. -지 마세요 means “please don't”.
| polite | 드세요deuseyo | |
|---|---|---|
| formal | 드십시오deusipsio | |
| casual | 먹어meogeo | |
| don't (polite) | 먹지 마세요meokji maseyo |
Suggestion
청유
Let's … The polite form is the same as the present. The formal -(으)ㅂ시다 is for a group or equals, not for a superior.
| polite | 먹어요meogeoyo | |
|---|---|---|
| formal | 먹읍시다meogeupsida | |
| casual | 먹자meokja |
Examples
- 아침에 빵을 먹어요.Achime ppangeul meogeoyo.I have bread in the morning.
- 점심 먹었어요?Jeomsim meogeosseoyo?Have you had lunch?
- 많이 드세요.Mani deuseyo.Enjoy your meal. (literally: eat a lot)