How to say “I'm hungry” in Korean

"I'm hungry" in Korean is 배고파 (baegopa), or 배고파요 (baegopayo) to be polite. Literally it means "my stomach is empty."

Ways to say it

Korean	Level	When to use it
배고파 baegopa	Casual	To friends and family. One of the most common things Koreans say.
배고파요 baegopayo	Polite	Polite. Good for most people.
배가 고파요 baega gopayo	Polite	The same meaning with the subject marker 가 written in. Slightly fuller and very natural.
배고픕니다 baegopeumnida	Formal	Formal. Heard in the military or on TV, rarely in daily life.
출출해 chulchulhae	Casual	"I'm a little peckish." A light hunger, like wanting a snack.

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Right before lunch

Ah, I'm hungry.

Telling a host or older relative

I'm hungry.

Late at night

I'm a little peckish.

배 means stomach and 고프다 means empty or hungry. 배고파 is often written as one word, and 배가 고파 adds the subject marker.

Food is social in Korea. A friend may greet you with 밥 먹었어? (bap meogeosseo?), "Did you eat?", which is really a way of saying hello.

Pronunciation: 배고파 sounds like "bae-go-pa."

More on 배고파 in our Korean phrase guides.

How do you ask "Are you hungry?" in Korean?

Say 배고파? (baegopa?) casually or 배고파요? (baegopayo?) politely.

How do you say "I'm thirsty" in Korean?

Say 목말라 (mongmalla) casually or 목말라요 (mongmallayo) politely.