What does 배불러 (baebulleo) mean?
- 배불러baebulleo
I'm full
Casual: friends and people younger than you
배불러 (baebulleo) means "I'm full" in casual Korean. You say it when you have eaten so much that you cannot eat any more.
Where it comes from
It comes from 배 ("stomach") and 부르다 ("to be full"), so it literally means "my stomach is full". This 부르다 is different from the 부르다 that means "to call" or "to sing".
How to use 배불러
배불러 is casual, for friends, family and younger people. With elders or people you have just met, say 배불러요, or 배불러요, 잘 먹었습니다 to thank the cook or host.
It is the opposite of 배고파 ("I'm hungry"). To exaggerate, people say 배 터질 것 같아 ("I feel like I'm going to burst").
In Korea, hosts often keep offering food. Saying 배불러요 with a smile is a polite way to decline more.
Examples
Tap a word to see what it means and save it to your flashcards.
Leaning back after a big meal
Turning down dessert with a friend
Surprised at a friend's small appetite
Other ways to say it
| Korean | Meaning | When |
|---|---|---|
| 배불러요 | I'm full (polite) | Use with people you are not close to. |
| 배부르다 | To be full | Dictionary form. |
| 배 터질 것 같아 | I'm going to burst | Casual exaggeration. |
| 배고파 | I'm hungry | The opposite. |
Questions learners ask
How do you say I'm full in Korean?
Say 배불러 to friends or 배불러요 politely. Both mean "I'm full".
What is the opposite of baebulleo?
배고파 (baegopa), which means "I'm hungry".
How do I politely refuse more food in Korean?
Smile and say 배불러요, 잘 먹었습니다 ("I'm full, thank you for the meal").