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When learning Korean, expressions like 잊어 먹다 meaning in English often confuse learners. While it appears to mean “to forget to eat” at first glance, it’s actually more nuanced. This blog explains the meaning and usage of 잊어 먹다, including related expressions like 잊어버리다 and 까먹다, so you can use it naturally in your conversations.
잊어 먹다 Meaning in English
잊어 먹다 meaning in English is a colloquial expression that combines:
- 잊다 (to forget)
- 먹다 (to eat)
In this context, 잊어 먹다 means “to completely forget something,” not necessarily related to eating. The verb 먹다 adds a metaphorical tone, as if the act of forgetting has been “eaten up.”
For example:
- 약속을 잊어 먹었어.
- Translation: I completely forgot about the appointment.
This phrase is casual and often carries a tone of self-reflection or humor about the forgotten event.
Nuances of 잊어 먹다
- Casual Tone
- 잊어 먹다 is often used in informal conversations and adds a playful or lighthearted touch compared to 잊어버리다.
- It’s common among younger speakers or in casual social settings.
- Synonyms and Related Phrases
- 잊어버리다: Neutral, formal way to say “to forget.”
- 까먹다: Extremely casual, often used between friends.
- 깜빡하다: Indicates a momentary lapse in memory.
Example sentences with 잊어 먹다 meaning in English
- Forgetting a birthday
- Korean: 친구 생일을 잊어 먹었어!
- English: I completely forgot my friend’s birthday!
- Breakdown:
- 친구 생일: “Friend’s birthday” is the forgotten event.
- 친구 (friend) + 생일 (birthday).
- 잊어 먹었어: A casual way of saying “I forgot.”
- 잊 (to forget) + 어 (and) + 먹었어 (ate it up; casually indicates regret or surprise).
- 친구 생일: “Friend’s birthday” is the forgotten event.
- Forgetting to do something important
- Korean: 숙제를 잊어 먹어서 선생님한테 혼났어요.
- English: I forgot my homework and got scolded by my teacher.
- Breakdown:
- 숙제를: “Homework” is the object being forgotten.
- 숙제 (homework) + 를 (object particle).
- 잊어 먹어서: Indicates forgetting and links to the reason for being scolded.
- 잊 (to forget) + 어 (and) + 먹어서 (because I forgot it completely).
- 혼났어요: Means “got scolded.”
- 혼나다 (to be scolded) + -어요 (polite ending).
- 숙제를: “Homework” is the object being forgotten.
- Forgetting a task
- Korean: 오늘 해야 할 일을 잊어 먹었네.
- English: I totally forgot what I needed to do today.
- Breakdown:
- 오늘 해야 할 일: “What I needed to do today” is the forgotten task.
- 오늘 (today) + 해야 할 (that I need to do) + 일 (task or work).
- 잊어 먹었네: Adds a reflective or slightly surprised tone.
- 잊 (to forget) + 어 (and) + 먹었네 (completely forgot, with a hint of realization).
- 오늘 해야 할 일: “What I needed to do today” is the forgotten task.
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Related Expressions
Here are some alternatives to 잊어 먹다 meaning in English that you might encounter:
- 잊어버리다 (to forget)
- Formal and widely used in both speech and writing.
- Example: 나는 중요한 일을 잊어버렸어.
- Translation: I forgot something important.
- 까먹다 (to forget, casual)
- Extremely casual, often playful.
- Example: 전화번호를 까먹었어.
- Translation: I forgot the phone number.
- 깜빡하다 (to forget momentarily)
- Often used to describe temporary forgetfulness.
- Example: 깜빡하고 우산을 안 가져왔어요.
- Translation: I forgot to bring my umbrella.
Conclusion
잊어 먹다 meaning in English, though not a formal expression, is a fun and casual way to describe completely forgetting something. Its playful tone makes it a great addition to your conversational Korean. To explore more everyday Korean expressions in relatable contexts, check out my Story Courses and discover how enjoyable learning Korean can be!
