EAT UP.. non-edible verbs
We all know that a huge part of Korean culture is.. eating! However the word 먹다 (to eat) has several different uses in Korean, and if you don’t know these terms.. you may be a bit confused like when you hear “친구 먹었어".. please don’t eat my friend?
Let’s take a look!
까먹다 - to forget “너 수학 숙제 했어? 오늘까지인거 알지?” - “You did your homework right? You know it’s due today.” “아.. 까먹었어..” - “Ah.. I forgot..”
더위 먹다 - to be overwhelmed by heat “더위 먹어서 정신이 없나봐요. 아이스 커피 4잔 산다는게 3잔 샀어요.. 죄송합니다” - “I was so overheated that I couldn’t think straight.. I bought 3 iced coffees instead of 4… I’m so sorry”
나이 먹다 - to get older “아이고.. 나이 먹나봐. 허리 아파..” - “Ohh god.. I’m getting so old.. My back hurts..” “너 19살인데..” - “You’re only 19..”
욕 먹다 - to be sworn at or get a bad reputation. “요즘 그 아이돌 거짓말한거 걸려서 욕 많이 먹더라.“ - “Everyone found out that the idol lied so his reputation is getting ruined.”
좀먹다 - to undermine, eat away “그런 사람들이 사회를 좀먹는거 같아요." “Because of people like that, society is being eaten away.”
친구 먹다 - to become friends “우리 3살차이 나는데 그냥 친구 먹기로 했어.” - “We’re only 3 years apart but we decided to be friends” (BTW: generally only people the same age are considered to be “친구/friends”. If there’s an age difference, then one person will be considered the “친한 동생/younger sibling” in the relationship)
써먹다 - to use, utilize “그 농담 재밌다. 나도 나중에 써먹어야지.” - “That’s a funny joke. I’ll have to use it later.”
I hope these terms were tasty enough for you to eat right up. More coming soon!
