Introducing yourself is a fundamental aspect of communication in any language. If you’re learning Korean, knowing how to say “my name is…” is essential for making introductions and starting conversations.
In this article, we’ll guide you through how to introduce yourself in Korean using both formal and informal language.
“My Name Is” In Formal Korean
If there’s one version of this phrase that you learn, it should be the formal version of “my name is”. This is because using the informal version to the wrong person (such as your elders, strangers, and those in a higher position than you) would be considered rude.
Most of the formal options are interchangeable, though they do have some nuances that make them different.
저는 [name]입니다
This is the easiest formal version to learn.
저는 [name]입니다. (Jeoneun [name] imnida.)
Broken down:
- 저 (jeo): I (formal)
- 는 (neun): Topic marking particle
- [name]: Your name
- 입니다다 (imnida): Formal ending (to be)
Quite literally, this means “I am [name]”.
Given that the word for “name” isn’t used, this version is usually used when other people have already introduced themselves and it’s obvious that you’re introducing yourself.
Example: 저는 에밀리입니다. (Jeoneun Emily imnida.)
Translation: “My name is Emily.”
제 이름은 [name]입니다
This is one of the most common ways to say “my name is” in Korean.
제 이름은 [name]입니다. (Je ireumeun [name] imnida.)
Broken down:
- 제 (je): My (formal), shortened version of 저의 (jeo-i), which combines the word for “I” (저) with the possessive marker (의)
- 이름 (ireum): Name
- 은 (eun): Topic marking particle
- [name]: Your name
- 입니다 (imnida): Formal ending (to be)
Example: 제 이름은 민수입니다. (Je ireumeun Minsu imnida.)
Translation: “My name is Minsu.”
저는 [name]이라고 합니다
This is similar to saying “I’m called [name]” or “They call me [name]”.
저는 [name]이라고 합니다. (Jeoneun [name]ilago hamnida.)
Broken down:
- 저 (jeo): I (formal)
- 는 (neun): Topic marking particle
- [name]: Your name
- (이)라고 (ilago): Used when you quote someone. Translates to “called” or “said”. If the [name] ends in a consonant, add the 이, if the [name] ends in a vowel, omit the 이.
- 합니다 (hamnida): Formal ending (to do)
Example: 저는 진우라고 합니다. (Jeoneun Jinwoo-lago hamnida.)
Translation: “I’m called Jinwoo.”
“My Name Is” In Informal Polite Korean
You can form the same sentences above in informal polite Korean. This is less polite than formal Korean, but it still conveys politeness and respect. It’s the most frequently used form for everyday conversations, such as with strangers, colleagues or between students and teachers.
The only thing you need to change for this version is the sentence ending: you would attach 요 to the verb instead of ㅂ니다.
So the three sentences above would change to:
저는 [name]이에요/예요. (Jeoneun [name] iaeyo/yaeyo.)
Example: 저는 마이클이에요. (Jeoneun Michael iaeyo.)
Translation: I’m Michael.
제 이름은 [name]이에요/예요. (Je ireumeun [name] iaeyo/yaeyo.)
Example: 제 이름은 대니예요 (Je ireumeun Danny yaeyo.)
Translation: My name is Danny.
저는 [name]이라고 해요. (Jeoneun [name]ilago haeyo.)
Example: 저는 자스민이라고 해요 (Jeoneun Jasmine ilago haeyo.)
Translation: I’m called Jasmine.
“My Name Is” In Informal Korean
If you’re talking to younger people, you can use informal speech to tell them what your name is. Informal introductions are suitable for casual situations, such as when you’re meeting younger people, children, or people your own age.
If your name ends in a consonant, add 이야 to the end of your name. If it ends in a vowel, add 야.
- 내 이름은 [name](이)야. (Nae ireumeun [name] (i)ya.)
- 내 (nae): My (informal)
- 이름 (ireum): Name
- 은 (eun): Topic marking particle
- [name]: Your name
- (이)야 (ya): Informal ending (to be)
Example: 내 이름은 효진이야. (Nae ireumeun Hyojin iya.)
Translation: My name is Hyojin.
How to Pronounce Your Name
When introducing yourself, the pronunciation of your name in Korean is important. Korean has different phonetic sounds compared to English, so you might need to adapt the pronunciation of your name. For example:
- John might be pronounced as 존 (Jon)
- Emily might be pronounced as 에밀리 (Emili)
If your name includes sounds not found in Korean, try to approximate it with the closest Korean phonetic equivalent. If you haven’t already, make sure to familiarize yourself with the Korean alphabet, Hangeul, as this will help you know how to pronounce your name in Korean properly. And if you’re still not sure, feel free to ask me in the comments.
How Do You Ask For Someone’s Name In Korean?
While saying “My name is [X]” is a great start, you may want to add more details to make your introduction more comprehensive.
If you’ve just met someone, it can be useful to know the phrase “what’s your name?” in Korean.
The most common way of saying this is:
이름이 뭐예요? (Ireumi mwoyaeyo?)
Let’s break that down:
- 이름 (ireum): Name (informal)
- 이 (i): Subject marking particle
- 뭐 (mwo): What
- 예요 (yaeyo): 이다 (verb for “to be”) conjugated to informal polite Korean
If you’re in a business setting, you can say:
- 성함이 어떻게 되세요? (Seonghami eotteoke doesaeyo?)
- 성함이 어떻게 되십니까? (Seonghami eotteoke doesimnikka?)
Broken down, this means:
- 성함 (seongham): Name (polite version)
- 이 (i): Subject marking particle
- 어떻게 (eotteoke): How
- 되다 (doeda): To become
Saying “Nice To Meet You”
After you and the person you’re talking to have told each other your names, you can end the introduction by saying “nice to meet you” in Korean.
The formal version is:
만나서 반갑습니다. (Mannaseo bangapseumnida.)
The informal polite version is:
만나서 반가워요. (Mannaseo bangawoyo.)
The informal version is:
만나서 반가워. (Mannaseo bangawo.) or just 반가워 (Bangawo.)
Putting It All Together
Meeting New People in Formal Settings
When meeting someone new, especially in a formal setting, start with:
- 안녕하세요? 제 이름은 [X]입니다. 만나서 반갑습다 (Annyeonghaseyo, je ireumeun [X] imnida. Mannaseo bangapseumnida.)
- Example: 안녕하세요? 제 이름은 유리입니다. 만나서 반갑습니다.
Translation: “Hello, my name is Yuri. Nice to meet you.”
Using Informal Polite Language
Here’s an example of what you can say to strangers, new colleagues and peers:
- 안녕하세요? 저는 [X](이)라고 해요. 만나서 반가워요. (Annyeonghaseyo? Jeoneun [X] ilago gaeyo. Mannaseo bangawoyo.)
- Example: 안녕하세요? 저는 카일이라고 해요. 만나서 반가워요.
Translation: “Hello, my name is Kyle. Nice to meet you.”
Meeting New People in Informal Settings
In casual or informal settings, use the informal structure:
- 안녕, 내 이름은 [X]야. 반가워. (Annyeong, nae ireumeun [X] ya. Bangawo)
- Example: 안녕, 내 이름은 민호야. 반가워.
Translation: “Hi, my name is Minho. Nice to meet you”
Note that you might also be asked how old you are in Korean as this affects the language used during conversations.
Now Apply The Knowledge Yourself
Now try to introduce yourself in the comments! Use one of the sentence structures above to practice saying your name in Korean. Feel free to add other information too – what’s important is that you practice.