제 이름은
How to say “my name is” in Korean A1
저는 ___이에요/예요, 제 이름은 ___입니다, and how to ask someone’s name politely (성함이 어떻게 되세요?).
Every form, from formal to casual
Korean introductions use 저는 (“as for me”) + name + the copula 이에요/예요. Pick 이에요 after a consonant, 예요 after a vowel.
| Korean | Romanization | Level | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 저는 민수입니다 | jeoneun minsu-imnida | Formal | Interviews, presentations |
| 저는 민수예요 | jeoneun minsu-yeyo | Polite | Everyday introductions |
| 저는 지은이에요 | jeoneun jieun-ieyo | Polite | Name ending in a consonant |
| 제 이름은 민수입니다 | je ireumeun minsu-imnida | Formal | Literal “my name is” |
| 나는 민수야 | naneun minsu-ya | Casual | Kids, close friends |
| 성함이 어떻게 되세요? | seonghami eotteoke doeseyo? | Honorific | Asking an adult’s name |
| 이름이 뭐예요? | ireumi mwoyeyo? | Polite | Asking a peer/child |
Which one do I actually use?
Meeting a group: 안녕하세요, 저는 [name]이에요/예요. 만나서 반갑습니다. Adding your country: 미국에서 왔어요 (“I came from the US”). Foreign names: Koreans will write them in Hangul — 제임스, 마리아; choose 이에요 or 예요 by the Hangul spelling’s last sound. Use 성함 (honorific “name”) when asking adults you don’t know.
Pronunciation notes
- 저는
jeo-neun. ㅓ is an open “uh”, not “o”.
- 이에요
i-e-yo, three light syllables after a consonant; 예요 [예요] after a vowel.
Vocabulary set
Cards are saved in this browser and scheduled with spaced repetition.
Quick drill
Common mistakes
- ✗ 저는 마리아이에요✓ 저는 마리아예요마리아 ends in a vowel → 예요.
- ✗ 너 이름 뭐야? to an adult stranger✓ 성함이 어떻게 되세요?너 and 뭐야 are casual; use honorific 성함 with adults.
Example sentences
FAQ
How do you say “my name is” in Korean?
저는 [name]이에요/예요 (polite) or 제 이름은 [name]입니다 (formal). Use 이에요 after a consonant, 예요 after a vowel.
How do you ask someone’s name in Korean?
이름이 뭐예요? for peers; 성함이 어떻게 되세요? for adults and formal settings.
How do you say “nice to meet you”?
만나서 반갑습니다 (formal) or 반가워요 (polite).
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