K-PLAZA.COM Korean Learning › Korean phrases › Dining out & ordering › 간이 딱 맞아서 자꾸 손이 가요
“The seasoning is just right, so I keep reaching for more” in Korean
간이 딱 맞아서 자꾸 손이 가요
gani ttak majaseo jakku soni gayo
Meaning
The seasoning is just right, so I keep reaching for more.
Usage note
간 refers to saltiness or seasoning. 손이 가다 (“the hand goes”) is an idiom for being unable to stop eating because the food is so good.
Romanization follows the Revised Romanization system and is a guide to pronunciation.
Practical guide
When to use it
Compliment the cook’s seasoning: “It is seasoned just right, so my hand keeps reaching for more.” You can say it at home or in a restaurant.
Watch out
간 means saltiness or seasoning, and 손이 가다 (“the hand goes”) means you cannot stop eating. It is a natural, native-sounding compliment. Use it with people you feel comfortable with; in a restaurant, 정말 맛있어요 is simpler.
How to pronounce it
In natural speech, sounds link and shift across words. The table below reads each word separately, as it sounds when said on its own.
| Syllable | Letters (consonant + vowel + final) | Romanization |
|---|---|---|
| 간이 | ||
| 간 | ㄱ+ㅏ+ㄴ | [가] ga |
| 이 | ㅇ+ㅣ | [니] ni |
| 딱 | ㄸ+ㅏ+ㄱ | ttak |
| 맞아서 | ||
| 맞 | ㅁ+ㅏ+ㅈ | [마] ma |
| 아 | ㅇ+ㅏ | [자] ja |
| 서 | ㅅ+ㅓ | seo |
| 자꾸 | ||
| 자 | ㅈ+ㅏ | ja |
| 꾸 | ㄲ+ㅜ | kku |
| 손이 | ||
| 손 | ㅅ+ㅗ+ㄴ | [소] so |
| 이 | ㅇ+ㅣ | [니] ni |
| 가요 | ||
| 가 | ㄱ+ㅏ | ga |
| 요 | ㅇ+ㅛ | yo |
A ㅇ at the start of a syllable is silent; at the end of a syllable it sounds like “ng”.
Sound changes in this phrase
- Linking: when a syllable ending in a consonant (patchim) is followed by a syllable that starts with a vowel, the consonant moves over to the next syllable. 간이 → [가니]
Speech style
Ends in -요. The everyday polite style, and a safe choice with shop staff, colleagues, strangers and anyone older than you.
Words in this phrase
These words from the TOPIK vocabulary lists appear in the phrase (shown in dictionary form).
| Korean | Part of speech | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 자꾸 | adverb | repeatedly | TOPIK level 4 |
Phrases that use the same word
Phrases with “손이”
- 손이 크다To be generous
Phrases with “가요”
- 이 버스 서울역에 가요?Does this bus go to Seoul Station?
- 회사에 가요I go to the office
Quick self-check
Test yourself before you move on. Tap an answer.
Question 1 What does “간이 딱 맞아서 자꾸 손이 가요” mean?
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Answer: The seasoning is just right, so I keep reaching for more
Question 2 How do you say “The seasoning is just right, so I keep reaching for more” in Korean?
Show the answer
Answer: 간이 딱 맞아서 자꾸 손이 가요 gani ttak majaseo jakku soni gayo
Reinforce what you learn with typing drills and quizzes.
Practice nowMore phrases for this situation
- 맵기를 조금 낮춰 주실 수 있을까요?Could you make it a little less spicy?
- 배가 터지도록 먹었더니 움직이기 싫네요I ate until I nearly burst, and now I don’t want to move
- 식사가 나오기까지 얼마나 걸릴까요?About how long will it take for the food to come out?
- 오늘은 제가 대접하겠습니다It’s my treat today
- 음식이 입에 맞으세요?Is the food to your liking?
- 여기서 제일 잘 나가는 메뉴가 뭐예요?What’s the best-selling item here?
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