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잘 먹겠습니다 (jal meok-ge-sseum-ni-da) is a common phrase in Korean that translates to “I will eat well” or “I am going to eat well” before eating. The deeper meaning is more about expressing gratitude and respect to the person providing the food or to the host. It’s similar to saying “Thank you for the food” or “I appreciate this meal” in English.
Breakdown of the phrase:
- 잘 (jal): well
- 먹 (meok): eat (root of the verb 먹다, meaning ‘to eat’)
- 겠습니다 (ge-sseum-ni-da): a polite future tense ending, which adds formality and respect.
Essentially, you’re letting others know that you’re about to enjoy the meal and appreciate it in advance.
