Is your stomach grumbling? Did you skip lunch? Then you’re going to need to know how to say “I’m hungry” in Korean!
Let’s jump right into it.
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“Hungry” vs. “Full” in Korean
When talking about whether you are hungry or not, two different adjectives are used.
In front of each adjective is the word 배 (bae), which means “stomach.”
“Hungry” in Korean
To say that you are hungry, you add the adjective 고프다 (gopeuda) to make 배고프다 (baegopeuda).
Strictly speaking, the particle 가 (ga) should come after 배 to make 배가 고프다 (baega gopeuda). However, when speaking, people drop this particle.
“Full” in Korean
If you want to say that you are full, then you need to use the adjective 부르다 (bureuda). To say “I am full” in Korean, you would use 배부르다 (baebureuda).
Different ways to say “I’m hungry” in Korean
There are several ways to say “I’m hungry” in Korean, depending on who you are speaking with. We have also included how to say “I’m full” in Korean if you would like to express the opposite.
Formal “I’m Hungry” in Korean
In very formal situations, you can use these two expressions. However, in reality, you are unlikely to say them often.
1. 배고픕니다 (baegopeumnida) – I’m hungry
2. 배부릅니다 (baebureumnida) – I’m full
Standard “I’m Hungry” in Korean
You can use these expressions to say that you are hungry or that you are full. They can be used in most situations.
If you want to ask somebody if they are hungry or full, then just change the intonation to make a question. For example, you could ask: 배고파요 (baegopayo)?
1. 배고파요 (baegopayo) – I’m hungry
2. 배불러요 (baebulleoyo) – I’m full
Informal “I’m Hungry” in Korean
These expressions can be used when talking to close friends of a similar age.
They can also be used instead of exclamations when you are talking to yourself.
To ask them as a question, just change to an upward intonation at the end of the expression.
1. 배고파 (baegopa) – I’m hungry
2. 배불러 (baebulleo) – I’m full
Hungry Exclamations in Korean
1. 배고프다! (baegopeuda) – I’m hungry!
2. 배부르다! (baebureuda) – I’m full!
When talking to themselves or making expressions, Koreans sometimes use a special form of the language, which ends in 다 (da). Although it looks like the dictionary form of the word, it is actually slightly different (Go here for Korean dictionaries).
If you are using an adjective (like “hungry”) then you don’t need to change the word. You can use the standard form of the verb.
If you are making an exclamation that uses a verb, then the verb changes (for example 비가 온다 – biga onda | It’s raining).
Other Ways to Say “Hungry” in Korean
If you are really hungry then you can use the following expression. Its meaning in Korean and English is basically the same, so it should be easy to remember.
1. 배가 고파서 죽을 것 같다 (baega gopaseo jugeul geot gatda)
If you want to sound cute, then you can use this aegyo expression.
2. 배고팡 (baegopang)
Wrap Up
Now you know how to say “I’m hungry” in Korean, it is time to find a 맛집 (matjip | delicious restaurant) and chow down.
What is your favorite Korean food to eat when you’re hungry? Let us know in the comments below!
And check out more great Korean Phrases on this page!
How can i say 《I dont feel like eating》 in korean ??
Hi SkyFa! You can say 지금은 먹고 싶지 않아 (I don’t feel like eating now) or 입맛이 없어 (have no appetite). ^^
안녕
Do you guys mind translating what every word in 배가 고파서 죽을 갓 같다 means? 고마워요 🙂
안녕하세요 UnicornPerson. 배가 고파서 means ‘because hungry’, 죽을 것 같다 means ‘to feel like dying’. It basically means ‘I’m starve to death’. ^^
Does it make sense to use the sound “na” in front of “bae-go-pa,” for the word I?
Hi Ignacio! Yes, it does. 나 배고파 would mean ‘I’m hungry’. ^^
May i know what’s the difference between 안배고파 and 배안고파??
You should use 배안고파 instead of 안배고파
맛있게 드세요! ^^
What about 배고파죽겠어요?
What exactly does it translate to? (I can’t remember where I saw or heard it.)
Great phrase! It means “I’m starving” or “I’m famished”, similar to saying “I’m so hungry I could die!”