Korean outside of textbooks
Episode 02. Is “Have you eaten lunch?” really talking about meals?
When living in Korea, you will come across a slightly strange question.
In the afternoon, my friend called me and asked. “It’s been a while. How are you? Have you had lunch?”
If you are learning Korean for the first time, you might think like this.
‘Why are you suddenly asking me if I’ve eaten?
However, the question is not necessarily to check whether you have eaten in Korea.
Ask a friend or colleague on campus or at work
“Have you eaten?” You can ask,
You can also routinely say “Have you eaten?” to close friends or family.
This is an expression often used especially when expressing interest in another person or wanting to take care of them.
So, I asked someone I knew on the street, “Have you had lunch?”
This can be a warm greeting.
In Korea, eating together is not just about filling your stomach.
“Let’s eat together once.” The words
“Shall we get a little closer?” It also contains this feeling.
So, when learning Korean, rather than just memorizing the meaning of a word, it is important to learn when to use the word and with what mindset.
🌿 Today's Hongdae Mission
If you meet a Korean friend or teacher this afternoon, try greeting them like this: “Hey, did you eat?” (안녕, 밥 먹었어?) or “Have you had lunch?” (점심 식사하셨어요?)
They will likely smile warmly at you.
Learning Korean isn't just about learning words—it's about learning the heart within them.
Ganada Korean Hongdae Branch