배고프다
bae-go-peu-da
/pɛ.ɡo.pʰɯ.da/
Definition
To be hungry; feeling the need to eat food.
Example
운동 후에 너무 배고파서 밥을 먹었어요.
Show translation
I was so hungry after exercise that I ate a meal.
Etymology
A compound of 배 (bae, "belly/stomach") + 고프다 (gо-peu-da, "to be empty/hollow"). The root 고프다 is thought to derive from an older verb meaning "to be depleted." Together, 배고프다 literally means "one's belly is hollow," perfectly capturing the feeling of hunger.
Cultural note
Koreans often greet close friends or family with "밥 먹었어?" (Did you eat?) rather than "How are you?" — hunger and eating are deeply tied to care and social connection in Korean culture. Saying you're 배고파 (hungry) is a natural, comfortable thing to share in any casual setting.