Korean for Beginners: Choosing Between Two Foods with 'I'll have the ___' and 'I prefer ___'
Learn to decide between two foods in Korean using 'I'll have the ___' (___로 할게요) and 'I prefer ___' (___가 더 좋아요). Build confidence in comparing and selecting dishes.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
When you're choosing between two foods in Korean, you need more than just naming dishes. You need to express a decision or a preference. This lesson teaches two key patterns: '___로 할게요' (I'll have the ___) for making a choice, and '___가 더 좋아요' (I prefer ___) for stating a preference. These are different from simply requesting food because they involve comparison. You'll learn to use them in real conversations, with correct politeness and pronunciation. By the end, you'll be able to confidently decide between two options at a restaurant or with friends.
By the end, you can…
- choose between two foods using '___로 할게요' (I'll have the ___).
- express a preference between two foods using '___가 더 좋아요' (I prefer ___).
- understand and respond to questions asking which of two foods I want.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
비빔밥으로 할게요.
I'll have the bibimbap.
bi-bim-ba-beu-ro hal-ge-yo
Use when you've decided on bibimbap over another option. '으로' is used after a consonant-ending noun; after a vowel, use '로' (e.g., 불고기 ends in a vowel, so it's '불고기로').
불고기로 할게요.
I'll have the bulgogi.
bul-go-gi-ro hal-ge-yo
Here '불고기' ends in a vowel, so we use '로' not '으로'. This phrase shows a decision after considering other options.
저는 비빔밥이 더 좋아요.
I prefer bibimbap.
jeo-neun bi-bim-ba-bi deo jo-a-yo
Use '이' after a consonant-ending noun (비빔밥 ends in consonant ㅂ). '더' means 'more', making it a comparison. This states a preference, not a final decision.
저는 불고기가 더 좋아요.
I prefer bulgogi.
jeo-neun bul-go-gi-ga deo jo-a-yo
Use '가' after a vowel-ending noun (불고기 ends in vowel). This is a polite way to express preference among options.
뭐로 할까요?
Which one shall we go with? / What will you have?
mwo-ro hal-kka-yo?
A common question when deciding between two foods. It uses '로' (since 뭐 ends in a vowel) and '할까요' to suggest deciding together.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The pattern '___로/으로 할게요' means 'I'll have the ___' or 'I'll go with the ___'. Use '으로' after a consonant-ending noun and '로' after a vowel-ending noun. For example: '비빔밥으로 할게요' (I'll have bibimbap) and '불고기로 할게요' (I'll have bulgogi). The verb '할게요' comes from '하다' (to do) and expresses a decision or intention. It's polite and common in restaurants. To express preference, use '___이/가 더 좋아요' meaning 'I prefer ___'. Use '이' after a consonant and '가' after a vowel. For example: '비빔밥이 더 좋아요' and '불고기가 더 좋아요'. The particle '더' means 'more', indicating a comparison between two or more items.
When to use it
Use '___로/으로 할게요' when you are making a final choice, especially after someone asks you what you want. It's like saying 'I'll go with the ___'. For example, if a friend asks '비빔밥 먹을래, 불고기 먹을래?' (Do you want bibimbap or bulgogi?), you can answer '불고기로 할게요' (I'll have bulgogi). Use '___이/가 더 좋아요' when you want to express a preference without necessarily making a final decision. It's softer and more about your taste. For instance, if someone asks '비빔밥 좋아해, 불고기 좋아해?' (Do you like bibimbap or bulgogi?), you can say '저는 불고기가 더 좋아요' (I prefer bulgogi). Note that '좋아해요' means 'like', while '더 좋아요' means 'prefer' (literally 'is more likable'). Both are polite and suitable for beginners.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
오늘 점심 뭐 먹을까요? 비빔밥이나 불고기 어때요?
What shall we eat for lunch today? How about bibimbap or bulgogi?o-neul jeom-sim mwo meo-geul-kka-yo? bi-bim-ba-bi-na bul-go-gi eo-ttae-yo?저는 불고기가 더 좋아요. 불고기로 할게요.
I prefer bulgogi. I'll have bulgogi.jeo-neun bul-go-gi-ga deo jo-a-yo. bul-go-gi-ro hal-ge-yo.그럼 저는 비빔밥으로 할게요.
Then I'll have bibimbap.geu-reom jeo-neun bi-bim-ba-beu-ro hal-ge-yo.좋아요. 그럼 비빔밥 하나, 불고기 하나 주문할게요.
Okay. Then I'll order one bibimbap and one bulgogi.jo-a-yo. geu-reom bi-bim-bap ha-na, bul-go-gi ha-na ju-mun-hal-ge-yo.A little context goes a long way
In Korean, when choosing between foods, it's common to use '할게요' to show your decision politely. This is softer than '할래요' (I want to do), which can sound more assertive. Also, when expressing preference, adding '저는' (as for me) at the start helps clarify that it's your personal opinion, especially in a group. Koreans often consider others' preferences, so saying '저는 ___가 더 좋아요' is a gentle way to state your choice without imposing. If you're with elders or in a formal setting, you might use '저는 ___로 하겠습니다' (I'll have ___), which is more formal.
One thing to watch for
Using '을/를' instead of '로/으로' with '할게요', e.g., '비빔밥을 할게요'.
Try this instead: The verb '하다' in this context means 'to choose' or 'to go with', so it requires '로/으로' (meaning 'as' or 'with'). '비빔밥을 할게요' would mean 'I will do bibimbap', which is incorrect. The correct form is '비빔밥으로 할게요' (I'll have bibimbap). Similarly, for preference, use '이/가' with '좋아요', not '을/를': '불고기가 더 좋아요' (I prefer bulgogi), not '불고기를 더 좋아요'.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you say 'I'll have bibimbap' in Korean?
Show a sample answer
비빔밥으로 할게요.
This uses '으로' because '비빔밥' ends in a consonant (ㅂ). '할게요' expresses a polite decision. Alternative: '비빔밥으로 하겠습니다' is more formal.
2How would you say 'I prefer bulgogi' in Korean?
Show a sample answer
저는 불고기가 더 좋아요.
This uses '가' because '불고기' ends in a vowel. '더' means 'more', making it a comparison. You could also say '저는 불고기를 더 좋아해요' but '좋아요' is more common for preference.
3If someone asks '비빔밥으로 할까요, 불고기로 할까요?' (Shall we go with bibimbap or bulgogi?), how would you answer that you prefer bibimbap?
Show a sample answer
저는 비빔밥이 더 좋아요.
This states your preference using '이' after the consonant-ending '비빔밥'. You could also say '비빔밥으로 할게요' if you want to make a decision. Both are correct depending on whether you're expressing preference or making a choice.
Use '___로/으로 할게요' to make a final choice between foods, and '___이/가 더 좋아요' to express a preference. Remember the particle rules: '으로' after consonants, '로' after vowels; '이' after consonants, '가' after vowels. Practice with common dishes like bibimbap and bulgogi.
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