im hungry in korean
How to Say "I'm Hungry" in Korean (배고파): Casual, Polite & Cute
배고파
baegopa
Quick answer
The most natural way to say "I'm hungry" in Korean is 배고파 (baegopa) casually or 배고파요 (baegopayo) politely.
Common forms
| Register | Hangul | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| casual | 배고파 | baegopa | Between friends or family — the everyday 'I'm hungry.' |
| polite | 배고파요 | baegopayo | Polite form — appropriate with people you're not super close with. |
| declarative / self-exclamation | 배고프다 | baegopeu-da | Like talking to yourself — 'I'm so hungry' said out loud while alone or half-joking. |
| really hungry | 너무 배고파 | neomu baegopa | 너무 (so/very) intensifies it — common when dramatically hungry. |
How it changes by relationship
야, 나 배고파. 뭐 먹을까?
Ya, na baegopa. Mwo meogeulkka?
to a close friend: Hey, I'm hungry. What should we eat? — the classic pre-meal K-drama scene.
엄마, 저 배고파요.
Eomma, jeo baegopayo.
to a parent or family member (polite): Mom, I'm hungry — using the polite form with parents is common among young Koreans.
배고파 죽겠어 ㅠㅠ
Baegopa jukgesseo ㅠㅠ
texting a friend: I'm dying of hunger ㅠㅠ — 죽겠어 (jukgesseo) is hyperbolic 'I could die' used casually for emphasis.
배고파요? 먹을까요?
Baegopayo? Meogeulkkayo?
asking if someone is hungry: Are you hungry? Should we eat? — a considerate way to suggest a meal.
Examples
배고파, 밥 먹으러 가자!
Baegopa, bap meogeureo gaja!
I'm hungry, let's go eat!
나 진짜 배고프다...
Na jinjja baegopeuda...
I'm really hungry...
배고프지 않아요? 같이 드실래요?
Baegopeoji anayo? Gachi deusillaeyo?
Aren't you hungry? Would you like to eat together?
Usage note
배고파 comes from 배 (bae, stomach/belly) + 고프다 (gopeuda, to be hungry) — literally 'my belly is hungry.' Koreans also express this indirectly by suggesting food: 뭐 먹을까? (what should we eat?) without saying hungry at all.
Mini quiz
What is the primary Korean phrase for "I'm hungry" here?
FAQ
How do I say 'I'm full' in Korean?
배불러 (baebulleo) casually or 배불러요 (baebulleoyo) politely — 배 (stomach) + 부르다 (buleuda, to be full).
What's 배고파 죽겠어?
죽겠어 (jukgesseo) literally means 'I might die' — but in casual speech it's hyperbole. 배고파 죽겠어 = 'I'm starving' / 'so hungry I could die.'
What do Koreans say before eating?
잘 먹겠습니다 (jal meokgesseumnida) — 'I will eat well' — is the standard phrase said before a meal as a form of gratitude.