Korean Dictionary
How to say "Honbap" in Korean
“Honbap” in Korean is 혼밥 (pronounced "Honbap").
혼밥
Honbap
Usage & Context
혼밥 combines 혼자 (alone) and 밥 (rice/meal) to describe eating alone which has become normalized in modern Korean culture. As single-person households increase 혼밥 is no longer seen as lonely but as a lifestyle choice. Many Korean restaurants now offer single-serving menus for 혼밥 customers.
Example Sentence
요즘 혼밥이 전혀 이상하지 않아요.
These days eating alone is not strange at all.
How to use 혼밥 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Honbap” is 혼밥, romanized as Honbap.
Usage tip
Use slang only with friends or people who already speak casually with you. It can sound rude in formal Korean.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 혼밥.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounced 'hon-bap' — 'hon' like 'hone' short, 'bap' rhymes with 'bop' with unreleased 'p'.
More Example Sentences
introverted lunch plan
오늘 점심은 혼밥하려고요.
I'm going to eat alone for lunch today.
discussing lifestyle trends
혼밥 가능한 식당이 많아졌어요.
There are more restaurants where you can eat alone.
explaining preference
혼밥하는 게 편해요.
Eating alone is comfortable for me.
Cultural Context
혼밥 (혼자+밥) is a buzzword reflecting changing Korean social attitudes. Traditionally eating alone was seen as sad ('밥은 같이 먹어야 맛있다' — food tastes better together), but now 혼밥 is widely accepted. It has spawned related terms like 혼술 (drinking alone), 혼놀 (playing alone), and 혼코노 (solo karaoke). Bar-style seating at restaurants (바 자리) is increasingly common to accommodate 혼밥.
Editorial note
We flag slang like 혼밥 for register and audience, since Korean slang can shift quickly and may sound rude outside close friendships.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
혼밥 자주 해요.
I eat alone often.
혼밥이 편해요.
Eating alone is comfortable.
혼밥 어려워요?
Is eating alone difficult for you?
Related Expressions
혼술
honsul
drinking alone
혼놀
honnol
playing alone
혼코노
honkono
solo karaoke (코인노래방)
1인 가구
ilin gagu
single-person household
More Slang Words
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