Nuance Dictionary / Social Situations
잘 먹었습니다 Jal meogeotseumnida
A warm, appreciative sign-off shouted to the staff or owner as you leave a dining establishment.
What does 잘 먹었습니다 mean?
잘 먹었습니다 (Jal meogeotseumnida) means: A warm, appreciative sign-off shouted to the staff or owner as you leave a dining establishment.
Speakers say this phrase directly to staff or owners when walking out of a restaurant after finishing a meal. It serves as a polite parting acknowledgment of the food and hospitality received. The phrase uses polite declarative verb endings addressed to service providers.
Depending on the delivery, this can feel like a warm, habitual courtesy or a genuine compliment to the establishment, often leaving a pleasant final impression on the staff.
Depending on the delivery, this can feel like a warm, habitual courtesy or a genuine compliment to the establishment, often leaving a pleasant final impression on the staff.
Other sides of 잘 먹었습니다
◆ The Parental Provision — Speakers say this phrase at home after eating a meal that a parent or family member has cooked and provided. It marks the conclusion of eating within a domestic setting and acknowledges the domestic labor involved in preparing the food. Family members use it regularly in daily household routines.
When spoken within a family, this often reads as an acknowledgment of domestic labor and familial warmth, carrying a layer of gratitude beyond a standard polite phrase.
◆ The Sponsor's Treat — Speakers say 잘 먹었습니다 when leaving a dining table where a superior or older acquaintance has paid for the food. It functions as a standard polite closure to a meal shared across generational or workplace lines. It pairs with a slight bow and is delivered in the polite formal register to acknowledge the expense incurred by the host.
Depending on the relative status of the speakers, this can feel less like a casual thank-you and more like an acknowledgment of financial debt and social deference.
When spoken within a family, this often reads as an acknowledgment of domestic labor and familial warmth, carrying a layer of gratitude beyond a standard polite phrase.
◆ The Sponsor's Treat — Speakers say 잘 먹었습니다 when leaving a dining table where a superior or older acquaintance has paid for the food. It functions as a standard polite closure to a meal shared across generational or workplace lines. It pairs with a slight bow and is delivered in the polite formal register to acknowledge the expense incurred by the host.
Depending on the relative status of the speakers, this can feel less like a casual thank-you and more like an acknowledgment of financial debt and social deference.
🎙️ 잘 먹었습니다는 표기 그대로 읽지 않아요 — 실제로는 [잘 머걷씀니다]로 소리나요 (경음화, 받침규칙, 비음화, 연음법칙). 발음 연습하기 →
How it's actually used
- 계산하면서 잘 먹었습니다 하고 나갔다.
gyesan-hamyeonseo jal meogeotseumnida hago nagatda.
I said 'thanks for the meal' while paying and left.
💡 A customer speaking to staff at the register while departing. - 음식이 맛있어서 잘 먹었습니다라고 인사했다.
eumsigi masisseoseo jal meogeotseumnidarago insahaetda.
I greeted them with 'thanks for the delicious meal' because the food was good.
💡 Expressing appreciation for the quality of the meal upon leaving. - 식당을 나오며 직원에게 잘 먹었습니다라고 말했다.
sikdangeul naomyeo jigwonege jal meogeotseumnidarago malhaetda.
As I came out of the restaurant, I told the staff 'thank you for the meal.'
💡 A standard parting remark addressed to restaurant employees.
Related words in Social Situations
잘 먹겠습니다 Jal meokgesseumnida적반하장 jeok-ban-ha-jang적당히 jeokdanghi정신차려 jeong-sin-cha-ryeo정신을 차리다 jeongsineul charida