Korean word

굶다

Pronunciation

Romanizationkumtta

Meaning

  • verbskip a meal

Example

어제 저녁을 굶었어.eo je cheo nyeo geul kul meo sseo

I skipped dinner last night.

Illustration for 굶다 (skip a meal)

More examples

아침을 굶으면 집중이 잘 안 돼.a chi meul kul meu myeon chip jjung i chal an twae

If you skip breakfast, it is hard to concentrate.

Core concept

Going without food until hunger results, whether a meal is missed accidentally or skipped on purpose.

Common phrases

  • 아침을 굶다a chi meul kum tta

    skip breakfast

  • 점심을 굶다cheom si meul kum tta

    skip lunch

  • 저녁을 굶다cheo nyeo geul kum tta

    skip dinner

Similar words

거르다keoreuda: Leaving a scheduled meal uneaten.
굶주리다kumjurida: Feeling severe hunger after a long period without food.

Definition in Korean

음식을 먹지 않아 배가 고프다거나 일부러 식사를 거르다eum si geul meok jji a na pae ga ko peu da geo na il bu reo sik ssa reul keo reu da

Word origin

굶다 (gumtta, "to go without food") is a native Korean verb, and its related forms apply the same basic idea to severe hunger or causing someone else to go without food.

Usage tips

  • English starve often sounds more serious or prolonged, while this Korean verb can describe missing just one ordinary meal.

Other meanings

  • starveverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 굶주리다kumjuridastarveverb
  • 굶주림kumjurimhungernoun

Word lists with this word