Meaning
맵다
maepda
to be spicy
Real Feeling
What Koreans really mean
This is a basic descriptive verb for taste. When asking if food is spicy, Koreans often use '매워요?' (maewoyo?) or '맵나요?' (maepnayo?). Saying '맵다' by itself often functions as a statement of fact or an exclamation of its spiciness, particularly when reacting to food. It's not inherently informal or formal, but its usage in an exclamation is typically casual and spontaneous.
💬 Used in real life
• Said when taking the first bite of a dish and realizing it's spicier than expected.
• Used when warning someone about the spiciness of a particular food item.
How It's Used
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Similar Expressions
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Grammar Breakdown
Part by part — learn the structure, not just the meaning
맵-maep-verb stem
verb stem
The verb stem for 'to be spicy'.
-다-dasentence-final ending (declarative)
sentence-final ending (declarative)
A plain style declarative ending, often used to state a fact or as a casual exclamation.
Tags
Korean expressions carry layers of meaning that direct translation misses. The real meaning lives in the emotion, context, and cultural moment.
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