Honorific nouns: 진지 (meal)

In Korean, honorifics (존댓말) function through two main channels: grammar endings (like -시-) and special vocabulary (honorific nouns and verbs). 진지 falls into the vocabulary category. Instead of changing the ending of a word, you replace the word entirely. It’s like swapping out a basic lightbulb for a chandelier. When you want to talk about an elder's meal, the word 밥 simply disappears and 진지 takes its place. However, it rarely travels alone. Because Korean grammar loves consistency, using an honorific noun like 진지 usually requires you to use an honorific verb too. You wouldn't just say 진지 먹어 (that's like wearing a tuxedo with flip-flops). Instead, you pair it with verbs like 드시다 or 잡수시다 (to eat/consume). It's a package deal for your sentences to feel balanced and respectful.

1. 1There isn't a complex conjugation formula for 진지 because it’s a noun substitution. However, there is a mental checklist you should follow before you use it:
2. 2Identify the Subject: Who is eating the meal? Is it someone significantly older than you (like a grandparent) or someone in a very high position of respect?
3. 3The Great Swap: If the answer is yes, take the standard word 밥 and toss it out. Replace it with 진지.
4. 4Verb Alignment: Look at your verb. Is it 먹다 (to eat)? Change it to 드시다 or the even more formal 잡수시다.
5. 5Particle Check: Often, the subject particle 이/가 changes to the honorific 께서. So, instead of 할아버지가 밥을..., you get 할아버지께서 진지를....

You don't use 진지 every day, and that’s what makes it special. Use it when you are speaking to or about people who are "higher" than you in the traditional social structure. This most commonly includes your grandparents, elderly relatives, or someone else's elderly parents. It’s also appropriate in very formal, traditional settings. For example, if you're visiting a friend's house and their 80-year-old grandmother is there, asking 진지 드셨어요? (Have you eaten?) will earn you major "polite points." You might also see it in historical dramas (Sageuks) or very formal letters. It’s a way of acknowledging that the person’s well-being and their meal are important enough to deserve a special word.

This is where things get tricky! Never use 진지 to refer to your own meal. In Korean culture, honoring yourself is a huge social faux pas. If you say 저는 진지를 먹었어요, people might think you've suddenly declared yourself a king (which might be a fun afternoon, but it's bad grammar). Also, don't use it with friends, siblings, or even your boss in a modern office. For a boss or a teacher, the word 식사 (meal/dining) is usually the perfect "polite but not overly traditional" choice. 진지 is specifically reserved for the "Elder Tier." Using it for a 30-year-old manager would feel incredibly stiff and a bit weird, like calling your coworker "Your Excellency" while grabbing a coffee.

The biggest trap for learners is the "Self-Honorific Trap." You might think, "I want to be polite, so I'll use the polite word for my meal." Nope! Always use 밥 or 식사 for yourself. Another mistake is "Mixed Levels." As mentioned before, pairing 진지 with a casual verb ending like 먹어 or 먹었어 sounds jarring. It’s like putting a diamond ring on a muddy finger. Ensure your entire sentence is in the honorific mode. Finally, don't over-use it. If you use 진지 for everyone you meet, it loses its power and makes you sound like you're reading from a 19th-century etiquette manual. Stick to the elderly or very formal situations.

You have three main ways to say "meal" in Korean, and choosing the right one is like picking the right outfit:

• 밥 (Bab): The casual t-shirt. Use this for yourself, your friends, and people younger than you. It’s the most common and versatile.
• 식사 (Siksa): The business casual suit. This is derived from Chinese characters (Sino-Korean). It's polite, professional, and safe for most "polite" situations like talking to a teacher, a boss, or a stranger.
• 진지 (Jinji): The full tuxedo. This is the highest level of respect, specifically for elders. It carries a sense of traditional duty and care.

If you're ever in doubt between 식사 and 진지, go with 식사. It’s almost never "wrong" to be slightly less formal, but it *can* be weird to be excessively formal with the wrong person.