Short answer
“delicious” in Korean is 맛있어요
How to say delicious in Korean?
How to say delicious in Korean – it's 맛있어요 (masisseoyo), the standard polite form. This is the word you'll use at restaurants, when someone cooks for you, or when you're tasting a new dish. For close friends and younger people, drop the 요 and say 맛있어 (masisseo). In formal settings with elders or colleagues, 맛있습니다 (masisseumnida) is the respectful choice. The phrase is built from 맛 (taste) and 있다 (to exist), so it literally means 'taste exists,' and Koreans use it only for food and drinks, not for people.
Common pairings
진짜 맛있어요 (really delicious)너무 맛있어요 (so delicious)맛있어 보여요 (looks delicious)맛있게 드세요 (enjoy your meal)
How to use it
- Use 맛있어요 as your default: it works in restaurants, at friends' homes, and with anyone you don't know well. When in doubt, add 요—it keeps you polite.
- With close friends, younger siblings, or children, switch to 맛있어. Using 맛있어요 with someone much younger can feel overly formal and distant.
- In very formal situations, like speaking to a boss or giving a speech, choose 맛있습니다. It shows extra respect and is also common when thanking a wedding host or older relative for a meal.
Examples
이 김치 진짜 맛있어요.
This kimchi is really delicious.
Reading: i gimchi jinjja masisseoyo. 맛있어요 (masisseoyo) is the polite standard, perfect for complimenting food to anyone outside your close friend group.
와, 파스타 진짜 맛있어!
Wow, the pasta is really delicious!
Reading: wa, paseuta jinjja masisseo! Casual 맛있어 (masisseo) fits friends, siblings, and people your age or younger.
저녁 식사가 정말 맛있습니다.
The dinner was truly delicious.
Reading: jeonyeok siksaga jeongmal masisseumnida. 맛있습니다 (masisseumnida) is the formal version, good for dinners with elders or formal situations.
이거 맛있어요?
Is this delicious?
Reading: igeo masisseoyo? Raise your voice slightly at the end to turn the same polite expression into a question.
Common mistakes
| Wrong | Correct | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 선생님, 이 음식 맛있어! | 선생님, 이 음식 맛있어요! | 맛있어 is casual and lacks the polite ending 요. When speaking to a teacher or anyone you should respect, always use 맛있어요. |
| 이 음식 |
이 음식이 맛있어요. | After nouns ending in a consonant like 음식, the subject particle should be 이, not 가. Use 가 after nouns ending in vowels. |
| Unnatural | Natural | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 잘 먹었어요! | After finishing a meal at someone's home, the natural Korean expression is 잘 먹었어요 ('I ate well'). 맛있었어요 just means 'it was delicious' and doesn't work as a proper thank-you. |
FAQ
- How to say delicious in Korean?Use 맛있어요 (masisseoyo) as your default polite expression. For close friends, say 맛있어 (masisseo); in formal settings, say 맛있습니다 (masisseumnida).
- Is 맛있어요 used for people?No. 맛있어요 is only for food and drinks. To describe a person as nice or cool, use 좋아요 (joayo) or 멋있어요 (meosisseoyo).
- How do you say 'looks delicious' in Korean?Say 맛있어 보여요 (masisseo boyeoyo), which literally means 'it looks delicious.' This is a natural way to comment on a dish before tasting it.
- What's a polite response after eating a meal at someone's home?Use 잘 먹었어요 (jal meogeosseoyo), meaning 'I ate well.' It's the standard, polite way to thank a host for a meal.