Korean Dictionary
How to say "Serve" in Korean
“Serve” in Korean is 대접하다 (pronounced "daejeopda").
대접하다
daejeopda
Usage & Context
Presenting food to guests or diners. Important part of Korean hospitality. Proper serving temperature and presentation matter.
Example Sentence
음식을 대접해요.
I serve the food.
How to use 대접하다 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Serve” is 대접하다, romanized as daejeopda.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
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 대접하다.
Pronunciation Guide
대 (dae) sounds like 'day' in English. 접 (jeop) sounds like 'jup' as in 'cup' but with a 'j' sound. 하 (ha) sounds like 'hah' as in 'haha'. 다 (da) sounds like 'dah' as in 'dad'. Put it together: 'day-jup hah-dah'.
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
대접합니다
daejeop hamnida
Used in very formal settings or when addressing someone of much higher status.
Casual (반말)
대접해
daejeop hae
Used with close friends, family, or people younger than you.
More Example Sentences
Demonstrating hospitality to a visitor.
손님에게 따뜻한 차를 대접했어요.
I served warm tea to the guest.
Expressing a desire to show filial piety or generosity.
부모님께 맛있는 음식을 대접하고 싶어요.
I want to treat my parents to delicious food.
Describing someone's general demeanor or how they interact with others.
그는 항상 사람들을 친절하게 대접한다.
He always treats people kindly.
Cultural Context
'대접하다' is deeply rooted in Korean hospitality (정, jeong). It means not just 'to serve' food, but also 'to treat' someone with respect and generosity. When you '대접하다' someone, you are showing care and honor, often by preparing or offering them the best you have. This concept is central to Korean social interactions, from serving guests at home to treating colleagues to a meal, signifying an act of goodwill beyond a simple transaction.
Editorial note
We review entries like 대접하다 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
손님을 대접하다
to serve/treat guests
음식을 대접하다
to serve food
극진히 대접하다
to treat with utmost hospitality/kindness
Related Expressions
내놓다
naenota
to put out, serve (more direct, less emphasis on hospitality)
드리다
deurida
to give (honorific for 주다, often used when serving elders)
모시다
mosida
to attend, serve (honorific, often for elders or superiors)
접대하다
jeopdaehada
to entertain, host (more formal, often business-related)
More Cooking Words
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