Deciding what to eat for dinner can sometimes lead to friendly (or not-so-friendly) debates between couples. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and vocabulary for navigating disagreements about tonight’s dinner menu, from expressing preferences to making compromises.
Table Of Content
Core Argument Phrase
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Expression: 오늘 저녁 뭐 먹을지 정하자.
Pronunciation: o-neul jeo-nyeok mwo meo-geul-ji jeong-ha-ja.
Meaning: Let’s decide what to eat for dinner tonight. (A common way to start the discussion)
Starting the Dinner Debate
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Expression: 오늘 저녁 뭐 먹고 싶어?
Pronunciation: o-neul jeo-nyeok mwo meok-go si-peo?
Meaning: What do you want to eat for dinner tonight? -
Expression: 저녁 메뉴 아직 안 정했지?
Pronunciation: jeo-nyeok me-nyu a-jik an jeong-haet-ji?
Meaning: We haven’t decided on the dinner menu yet, right? -
Expression: 나 오늘 뭐 먹을지 고민 중이야.
Pronunciation: na o-neul mwo meo-geul-ji go-min jung-i-ya.
Meaning: I’m thinking about what to eat today. -
Expression: 우리 저녁 뭐 해 먹을까?
Pronunciation: u-ri jeo-nyeok mwo hae meo-geul-kka?
Meaning: What should we make for dinner? -
Expression: 오늘은 내가 요리할게. 뭐 먹고 싶어?
Pronunciation: o-neu-reun nae-ga yo-ri-hal-ge. mwo meok-go si-peo?
Meaning: I’ll cook today. What do you want to eat? -
Expression: 배고픈데 뭐 맛있는 거 없을까?
Pronunciation: bae-go-peun-de mwo ma-sin-neun geo eop-seul-kka?
Meaning: I’m hungry, isn’t there anything delicious (to eat)? -
Expression: 저녁 식사 준비해야 하는데…
Pronunciation: jeo-nyeok sik-sa jun-bi-hae-ya ha-neun-de…
Meaning: We need to prepare dinner… (implying a decision needs to be made) -
Expression: 오늘 저녁은 특별한 거 먹자!
Pronunciation: o-neul jeo-nyeo-geun teuk-byeol-han geo meok-ja!
Meaning: Let’s eat something special for dinner tonight! -
Expression: 냉장고에 뭐 있는지 확인해 보자.
Pronunciation: naeng-jang-go-e mwo it-neun-ji hwa-gin-hae bo-ja.
Meaning: Let’s check what’s in the fridge. -
Expression: 뭐 시켜 먹을까 아니면 만들어 먹을까?
Pronunciation: mwo si-kyeo meo-geul-kka a-ni-myeon man-deu-reo meo-geul-kka?
Meaning: Should we order something or make something?
Expressing Your Dinner Preference
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Expression: 나는 한식이 먹고 싶어.
Pronunciation: na-neun han-si-gi meok-go si-peo.
Meaning: I want to eat Korean food. -
Expression: 김치찌개 어때?
Pronunciation: gim-chi-jji-gae eo-ttae?
Meaning: How about Kimchi stew? -
Expression: 파스타가 당기는데.
Pronunciation: pa-seu-ta-ga dang-gi-neun-de.
Meaning: I’m craving pasta. -
Expression: 오늘은 매콤한 게 좋아.
Pronunciation: o-neu-reun mae-kom-han ge jo-a.
Meaning: I’d like something spicy today. -
Expression: 간단하게 먹고 싶어.
Pronunciation: gan-dan-ha-ge meok-go si-peo.
Meaning: I want to eat something simple. -
Expression: 어제 고기 먹었으니까 오늘은 생선 먹자.
Pronunciation: eo-je go-gi meo-geo-sseu-ni-kka o-neu-reun saeng-seon meok-ja.
Meaning: Since we ate meat yesterday, let’s eat fish today. -
Expression: 난 아무거나 괜찮아. 네가 정해.
Pronunciation: nan a-mu-geo-na gwaen-cha-na. ne-ga jeong-hae.
Meaning: Anything is fine with me. You decide. -
Expression: 이 레시피 한번 해보고 싶어.
Pronunciation: i re-si-pi han-beon hae-bo-go si-peo.
Meaning: I want to try making this recipe. -
Expression: 기름진 거 말고 담백한 거 먹고 싶다.
Pronunciation: gi-reum-jin geo mal-go dam-bae-kan geo meok-go sip-da.
Meaning: I want something light, not greasy. -
Expression: 내가 좋아하는 걸로 하자.
Pronunciation: nae-ga jo-a-ha-neun geol-lo ha-ja.
Meaning: Let’s go with what I like.
Disagreeing and Making Counter-Suggestions
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Expression: 그거 말고 다른 거 먹자.
Pronunciation: geu-geo mal-go da-reun geo meok-ja.
Meaning: Let’s eat something else, not that. -
Expression: 나는 그거 별로 안 먹고 싶어.
Pronunciation: na-neun geu-geo byeol-lo an meok-go si-peo.
Meaning: I don’t really want to eat that. -
Expression: 어제도 그거 먹었잖아!
Pronunciation: eo-je-do geu-geo meo-geot-jan-a!
Meaning: We ate that yesterday too! -
Expression: 그건 너무 만들기 귀찮아.
Pronunciation: geu-geon neo-mu man-deul-gi gwi-cha-na.
Meaning: That’s too much hassle to make. -
Expression: 재료가 없는데 어떻게 만들어?
Pronunciation: jae-ryo-ga eom-neun-de eo-tteo-ke man-deu-reo?
Meaning: We don’t have the ingredients, how can we make it? -
Expression: 다른 메뉴는 없어?
Pronunciation: da-reun me-nyu-neun eop-seo?
Meaning: Isn’t there another option? -
Expression: 네 의견 말고 내 의견도 좀 들어줘.
Pronunciation: ne ui-gyeon mal-go nae ui-gyeon-do jom deu-reo-jwo.
Meaning: Listen to my opinion too, not just yours. -
Expression: 그럼 이건 어때?
Pronunciation: geu-reom i-geon eo-ttae?
Meaning: Then how about this? (Offering an alternative) -
Expression: 맨날 똑같은 것만 먹는 거 지겨워.
Pronunciation: maen-nal ttok-ga-teun geon-man meong-neun geo ji-gyeo-wo.
Meaning: I’m tired of eating the same thing all the time. -
Expression: 그건 너무 오래 걸리잖아.
Pronunciation: geu-geon neo-mu o-rae geol-li-jan-a.
Meaning: That takes too long (to cook). -
Expression: 좀 더 건강한 걸로 먹자.
Pronunciation: jom deo geon-gang-han geol-lo meok-ja.
Meaning: Let’s eat something healthier.
Compromising or Escalating the Argument
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Expression: 그럼 중간 지점을 찾자.
Pronunciation: geu-reom jung-gan ji-jeo-meul chat-ja.
Meaning: Then let’s find a middle ground. -
Expression: 좋아, 네 말대로 하자.
Pronunciation: jo-a, ne mal-dae-ro ha-ja.
Meaning: Okay, let’s do as you say. (Giving in) -
Expression: 가위바위보로 정할까?
Pronunciation: ga-wi-ba-wi-bo-ro jeong-hal-kka?
Meaning: Should we decide with rock-paper-scissors? -
Expression: 오늘은 내가 양보할게. 대신 내일은 내가 정한다?
Pronunciation: o-neu-reun nae-ga yang-bo-hal-ge. dae-sin nae-i-reun nae-ga jeong-han-da?
Meaning: I’ll give in today. But tomorrow, I get to decide, okay? -
Expression: 왜 맨날 나만 양보해야 해?
Pronunciation: wae maen-nal na-man yang-bo-hae-ya hae?
Meaning: Why do I always have to be the one to give in? -
Expression: 됐어, 그냥 굶을래.
Pronunciation: dwae-sseo, geu-nyang gul-meul-lae.
Meaning: Forget it, I’ll just starve. (Escalating/Sarcastic) -
Expression: 그럼 각자 먹고 싶은 거 먹자.
Pronunciation: geu-reom gak-ja meok-go si-peun geo meok-ja.
Meaning: Then let’s just eat what each of us wants separately. -
Expression: 이걸로 싸우지 말자.
Pronunciation: i-geol-lo ssa-u-ji mal-ja.
Meaning: Let’s not fight over this. -
Expression: 알았어, 알았어. 그럼 그걸로 하자.
Pronunciation: a-ra-sseo, a-ra-sseo. geu-reom geu-geol-lo ha-ja.
Meaning: Okay, okay. Let’s just go with that then. (Reluctantly agreeing) -
Expression: 다음부터는 미리 정해놓자.
Pronunciation: da-eum-bu-teo-neun mi-ri jeong-hae-no-cha.
Meaning: From next time, let’s decide in advance.
Korean Culture Notes
Food is central to Korean culture, and sharing meals is very important. Disagreements about food choices are common, but usually resolved amicably. Often, one person might suggest a category (like Korean food, 한식 – han-sik) and the other might suggest a specific dish within that category.
Compromise is valued. Suggesting alternatives or finding a middle ground (중간 지점 찾기 – jung-gan ji-jeom chat-gi) is a common way to resolve disagreements. Using rock-paper-scissors (가위바위보 – ga-wi-ba-wi-bo) is a surprisingly common and lighthearted way to settle minor disputes like choosing a menu.
While expressing preferences is normal, being overly demanding or stubborn can be seen negatively. Often, couples take turns choosing or one person might defer to the other, especially if their partner had a long day or is cooking.
Phrases like “아무거나 괜찮아” (a-mu-geo-na gwaen-cha-na – Anything is fine) are common, but sometimes can be frustrating if used too often, as it puts the burden of decision entirely on the other person. It’s often better to offer at least some preference or limitation (e.g., “Anything except spicy food”).
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A couple, Ji-hoon and Soo-min, are deciding what to cook for dinner.
Roles: Ji-hoon (A) wants something quick and easy. Soo-min (B) wants to try a new recipe.
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Expression: A: 수민아, 오늘 저녁 뭐 먹을까? 나 너무 배고파.
Pronunciation: su-min-a, o-neul jeo-nyeok mwo meo-geul-kka? na neo-mu bae-go-pa.
Meaning: Soo-min, what should we eat for dinner tonight? I’m so hungry. -
Expression: B: 음… 내가 새로 찾은 파스타 레시피 있는데, 그거 해볼까?
Pronunciation: eum… nae-ga sae-ro cha-jeun pa-seu-ta re-si-pi it-neun-de, geu-geo hae-bol-kka?
Meaning: Hmm… I found a new pasta recipe, should we try making that? -
Expression: A: 파스타? 그거 시간 오래 걸리지 않아? 간단하게 먹고 싶은데. 김치볶음밥 어때?
Pronunciation: pa-seu-ta? geu-geo si-gan o-rae geol-li-ji a-na? gan-dan-ha-ge meok-go si-peun-de. gim-chi-bok-keum-bap eo-ttae?
Meaning: Pasta? Doesn’t that take a long time? I want to eat something simple. How about Kimchi fried rice? -
Expression: B: 김치볶음밥은 그저께 먹었잖아! 맨날 똑같은 것만 먹어. 이 파스타 진짜 맛있어 보인단 말이야.
Pronunciation: gim-chi-bok-keum-ba-beun geu-jeok-ke meo-geot-jan-a! maen-nal ttok-ga-teun geon-man meo-geo. i pa-seu-ta jin-jja ma-si-sseo bo-in-dan ma-ri-ya.
Meaning: We had Kimchi fried rice the day before yesterday! We always eat the same things. This pasta looks really delicious. -
Expression: A: 알겠어… 그럼 파스타 만들자. 대신 설거지는 네가 해!
Pronunciation: al-ge-sseo… geu-reom pa-seu-ta man-deul-ja. dae-sin seol-geo-ji-neun ne-ga hae!
Meaning: Okay… Then let’s make pasta. But you do the dishes! -
Expression: B: 좋아! 콜! 맛있게 만들어 줄게!
Pronunciation: jo-a! kol! ma-sit-ge man-deu-reo jul-ge!
Meaning: Okay! Deal! I’ll make it delicious for you!
Practice Tips
Try role-playing these dinner debates with a friend or language partner! You can take turns suggesting different types of food (Korean, Italian, Chinese, simple, complex) and practice expressing your preferences and disagreements~ Remember to use the correct pronunciation with syllable breaks!
Listen to how Korean couples or families discuss meals in dramas or reality shows. Pay attention to the phrases they use and the tone of their voice. This will help you understand the nuances of these conversations better. Fighting (in a fun way) over food is pretty common, so have fun practicing! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Good luck!)
