Korean word

잡아먹다

Pronunciation

Romanizationchabameoktta

Meaning

  • verbgobble up

Example

배가 너무 고파서 김밥을 잡아먹었어요.pae ga neo mu ko pa seo kim ba beul cha ba meo geo sseo yo

I was so hungry that I gobbled up the gimbap.

Illustration for 잡아먹다 (gobble up)

More examples

늦은 밤에 혼자 라면을 잡아먹었어요.neu seun pa me hon ja ra myeo neul cha ba meo geo sseo yo

I gobbled up ramen alone late at night.

Core concept

Something is seized and consumed quickly and completely, whether it is food or a valuable resource.

Common phrases

  • 라면을 잡아먹다ra myeo neul cha ba meok tta

    gobble up ramen

  • 야식을 잡아먹다ya si geul cha ba meok tta

    gobble up a late-night snack

Similar words

먹다meoktta: Eat food by chewing and swallowing it in the ordinary way.
먹어치우다meogeochiuda: Eat something up quickly until none is left.

Definition in Korean

음식을 남김없이 빠르게 먹거나 비유적으로 물건이나 기회를 거칠게 소비하다.eum si geul nam gi meop ssi ppa reu ge meok kkeo na pi yu jeo geu ro mul geo ni na ki hoe reul keo chil ge so bi ha da

Word origin

The verb combines the native verbs for grabbing and eating, creating the vivid idea of seizing something and consuming it.

Usage tips

  • Unlike a neutral verb for eating, this word often suggests speed, roughness, or waste, so it can sound critical when used for time, money, or opportunities.

Other meanings

  • prey onverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word