introduce yourself in korean essay

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How To Introduce Yourself in Korean in 1 Minute

Want to introduce yourself in Korean? Read this lesson. It’ll take you a minute, and ALL the Korean lines you need are here.

If you don’t, I don’t care – this is ONLY for people that truly want to speak Korean.

OK! Here’s how you introduce yourself in Korean. You learn the 6 MUST-KNOW lines. We’ll go from 1-6 and translate it so you can easily start talking Korean ASAP.

Let’s jump in.

1. Formal Way: Jeoneun (name)-imnida.

So first,  let’s cover the formal way to introduce yourself in Korean.

• 안녕하세요? 저는 (name) 입니다. 처음 뵙겠습니다.
• Annyeonghaseyo? Jeoneun John -imnida. Cheoeum boepgesseumnida.
• Hello, my name is John . Nice to meet you!

As you can tell, “Annyeonghaseyo” means “Hello,” then “Jeoneun (name)-imnida” means “my name is (name)”, and finally “Cheoeum boepgesseumnida” is “Nice to meet you.

Do you want to hear how this is pronounced?

Then you should also listen and hear real Korean. Press play below. Try this Free Lesson from KoreanClass101.com (click here to visit) for the complete explanation about introducing yourself!

Ok, what’s next?

2. Casual Way: (Name)-Ya. Bangawayo.

Here’s a more casual way to introduce yourself.

• 안녕. (Name) 야. 반가워.
• Annyeong. (Name) – ya. bangawo.
• Hi, I’m (Name) . Nice to meet you.

So, if you want to introduce yourself casually, just say your name and “ya.”

3. I am from … — (place) eseo wasseumnida.

• (place) 서 왔습니다.
• 미국 miguk – America
• 미국서 왔습니다. Migugeseo wasseumnida. I’m from the U.S.A.

But what if you’re not from the United States? How can you introduce yourself in Korean and talk about YOUR country? Fear not; below is a list that will help you. Simply find your country and add it to the line above!

• Australia 호주 hoju
• Austria 오스트리아 osu t’ria
• Brazil 브라질 burajil
• Canada 캐나다 k’aenada
• China (PRC) 중국 chung-guk
• China (Taiwan) 대만 daeman
• England (United Kingdom) 영국 yeong-guk
• France 프랑스 p’urangsu
• Germany 독일 tok-il
• Hong Kong 홍콩 hong k’ong
• India 인도 indo
• Italy 이탈리아 it’al-lia
• Japan 일본 ilbon
• Malaysia 말레이지아 mallae-i jia
• Mexico 멕시코 maeksik’o
• Mongolia 몽고 mong-go
• Myanmar (Burma) 미얀마 miyanma
• New Zealand 뉴질랜드 nyu jeelaendu
• The Philippines 필리핀 p’ileepeen
• Singapore 싱가폴 sing-gap’ol
• Spain 스페인 sup’ai-in
• Sweden 스웨덴 suwei-dain
• Switzerland 스위스 suweisu
• Thailand 태국 t’ae-guk
• Vietnam 베트남 baet’unam

Now, let’s talk about your age.

4. “I am (age) years old” — (age) sal imnida.

• (age) 살 입니다.
• 열여덟 살 입니다. Yeolyeodeol sal imnida. I am 18 years old.

Okay, to fully introduce yourself in Korean and state your age, you’ll need to know numbers.

Below is a chart of the Korean numbers (there are 2 sets – this is the Korean Native System) which is used for age. If you’re wondering how to do in-between numbers like 23, 35, 47 and so on, heres what you should do.

• Take the Korean word for 20, 30, 40, etc. – whichever is your age
• Then take the single digit number (1-9)
• 40 is maheun
• 5 is daseot
• so, 45 is maheundaseot

To learn more about Korean numbers, check out my other lesson here .

5. I am a (occupation). (occupation)-imnida.

Next, you’ll need to talk about your work or occupation in Korean.

All you need is the word for your occupation and “imnida.”

•  학생입니다. Haksaeng-imnida I’m a student.
• 회사원입니다. Hoisawon-imnida. I’m an office worker.

Here are some other common occupations you can stick in:

• 의사 (Uisa) – Doctor
• 변호사 (Byeonhosa) – Lawyer
• 선생님 (Seonsaengnim) – Teacher
• 간호사 (Ganhosa) – Nurse
• 공학자 (Gonghakja) – Engineer
• 프로그래머 (Peurogeuraemeo) – Programmer
• 요리사 (Yorisa) – Chef
• 경찰관 (Gyeongchalgwan) – Police Officer
• 소방관 (Sobanggwan) – Firefighter
• 기자 (Gija) – Journalist
• 은퇴자 (Euntoeja) – Retired
• 대학생 (Daehaksaeng) – College Student
• 고등학생 (Godeunghaksaeng) – High School Student
• 대학원생 (Daehakwonsaeng) – Graduate Student
• 실업자 (Sileopja) – Unemployed
• 프리랜서 (Peurillaenseo) – Freelancer
• 그래픽 디자이너 (Geuraepik Dijaineo) – Graphic Designer
• 직장인 (Jikjangin) -“office worker” or “company employee”

6. “I’ve been learning Korean for….” — (time duration) dong-an gonbu-haesseumnida.

If your Korean is pretty good, Koreans will want to know about how you learned their language. So, that’s where this and the next phrase come in.

• (time duration) 동안 공부했습니다.
• I’ve been learning for 1 month.
• handaldong-an gonbu-haesseumnida.
• 한달 동안 공부했습니다.

7. I’ve learned Korean in (place) — (place)eseo baewosseumnida.

• (place/location) 에서 배웠습니다.
• I learned it in school.
• hakkyoeseo baewosseumnida.
• 학교에서 배웠습니다.

If you’re interested in learning Korean, I recommend some lessons below — check em out.

The Last Thing That Noone Reads

I feel like noone reads the last parts. Do they?

Well, if you made it down here…

You learned two ways to introduce yourself in Korean. One was formal. One was casual. Let’s review them one more time but in roman letters. You may not know the alphabet ( Hangul) yet.

• Casual : annyeong. (name)-ya.
• Formal : Jeoneun annyeonghaseyo. (name)-imnida.

You can also listen to this extra 3-minute long audio lesson.

• 3-Minute Korean S1 #1 – Self Introduction
• By KoreanClass101.com (click here to visit for more fun lessons.)

Now, what if you want a whole Korean introduction speech? Here’s your Korean self introduction script you might want to use.

Annyeonghaseyo? Jeoneun (name) -imnida. Cheoeum boepgesseumnida. (place) eseo wasseumnida. ( Age) sal imnida. (occupation) -imnida. (time duration) dong-an gonbu-haesseumnida. (place/location) eseo baewosseumnida.

Now you know how to introduce yourself in Korean!

The first thing any beginner Korean learner needs is an introduction. Why? Because who the hell are you? Where are you from? Why are you learning Korean & why should anyone care? If you got this far, you should now have a full script about yourself to use in conversations.

So, what do you do now?

• Take the script I gave you above and put in your name, age, etc. There’s your introduction.
• Introduce yourself in Korean by leaving a comment below!
• Start using your introduction.
• ..and learn even more Korean.

• Get Free Korean Audio Lessons: Korean Audio Lesson
• Best Korean TextBooks . A List for Beginners.
• Say Hello in Korean
• How Are You in Korean

– The Main Junkie

P.S. I highly recommend this for Korean learners.

Annyeonghaseyo! Jeoneun Shivali-imnida

Annyeonghaseyo! Jeoneun Faith-imnida.

Annyeonghaseo? Jeoneun Isabella- imnida.

why is this so hard for meee

Annyeonghaseyo Jeoneun Sara imnida

안녕하세요! 저는 레니 입니다. 처음 뵙겠습니다. 캐나다 서 왔습니다. 열셋 살 입니다. 학생입니다. 저는 재미로 한국어를 배우고 있습니다 ㅋㅋ 집에서 배웠습니다. 안녕하세요~ ^^

Anyeong. Felliandy-ya, bangawo

this lesson helpful thank you, I finally know how to introduce myself properly

Annyeonghaseyo Janeun Jake- imnida..hoju esseo waseumnida, yeol daseot sal imnida

Annyeong hasayo! Siren-ya bangawo! I’m starting to learn korean, I can speak English and Chinese fluently and I’m in late french immersion Since I know Chinese it’ll help me learn kanji for japanese, it’s easier to pick up Cantonese , and I know French so it can help me with Spanish or Italian

How can you combine these sentences like when you want to say: Hello my name is blabla I´m a 163 year old student from happyland

thank you for this lesson, it’s really helpful

안녕하세요? / 저는 (智 淑 달)입니다. / 처음 뵙겠습니다.미국서 왔습니다.(19/열아홉 살) 살 입니다.나는 대학생입니다.나는 1 년 미만 동안 한국어를 배우고있다.혼자서 한국어를 배웠어요.

Tell me informal and formal hello

안녕하세요, 저는 니 니 입 니나. 저는 한국말 잘 못해요 ,미안해요.

can someone please traslate this for me:(romanized + hangul translation)could u also break down the words in romaniztion…

“hello.my name is mina .i live in seoul .i am 13 yrs old. my hobby is to dance,sing and listen to music.i like traveling to different places.”

annyeong haseyo? jeoneun when suaen ibnida.

안녕하세요? 저는 지젤 입니다. 처음 봅 갔습니다.

안녕하세요, 처는 코라리 입니다. 처음 뵙겠습니다. 프랑스 서 왔습니다. 열아홉 살입니다, 그리고, 영국 학생 입니다. 안녕!

annyeonghaseyo joneon lily iminda! yeol set sal imnida.

아넝하세요!조는 Joeyz 임니다

how to introduce marianne kaye in korean

not @ how she used kpop idols for names

안녕하세요. 저는 엘이 입니다. 처음 뵙겠습니다. 영국 서 왔습니다 . 열셋 살 입니다 . 학생입니다 . 잠시동안 공부했습니다. 스스로에서 배웠습니다.

Anyeonghaseyo jeoneun Kevin imnida Cheoum Boepgessumnida pilipeen esseo wasseumnida yeol-yeodeul sal imnida

Anyeonghaseyo jeoneun Kevin-imnida choum boepgesseumnida pilipeen esseo wasseumnida yeol-yeodeul sal imnida

안녕하세요. 저는 히러다어서 임니다. 처음뵙겠습니다 (만나서반갑습니다). 말레이시아 서왔습니다. 서른옐아홉살입니다. 프로그램 제작자 입니다. 일주동안 공부했습니다. 온라인에서 배웠습니다.

Annyeonghaseyo Jeoneun Park Yoon Shin-imnida. Cheoeum Boepgesseumnida!!!

Annyeong-haseyo! Jeoneun Jin-imnida.

안녕하세요?.말레이시아서 입니다. 저는 아미라입니다. 이십살 입니다. 학생입니다. 저는 국제 비지니스 배웁니다.

am i saying this right?

Annyeong haseyo! Jeoneun Moira-imnida. Cheoeum boepgesseumnida! Migugeseo wasseumnida. Yeolilgopsal imnida. Hakseang- imnida. Duljudong-an gonbu-hasseumnida. (I dont know how to say I’ve been self taught. )

Annyeonghaseyo, Jeoneun Sasha imnida. Cheoeum boepgesseumnida.. yeonguk eseo wasseumnida. Yeolses sal imnida.Haeksaeng imnida.

Annyeonghaseyo! Jeoneun Nykira-imnida! 😛

Im here for my new book hahaha. It’s actually needed korean parts! so hard! T.T

Annyeonghaseyo! Jeoneun Ella-imnida. 🙂

Annyeonghaseyo! Jeoneun Jae-imnida

Annyeonghaseyo! Jeoneun Angel-imnida.

what’s the difference between 저는 and 나는

How can we answer without knowing the question You should put the questions in Korean wth man

안녕하세요 저는 케일라 입니다. 십다섯 사이에요. 학생입니다. 넷달 동안 공부했습니다, 홈에서 배웠습니다.

안녕하세요, 저는 알리사 입니다. 처음 뵙겠습니다. 미국서 왔습니다. 이십사살 입니다. 나는 영화 제작진 입니다.

I need to learn all the words so i can talk to EXO…. and understand thier songs better.

안녕하세요? 저는 니키 입니다. 처음 뵙겠습니다 저는 라오스 사람

나는 한국어를 배우고 싶습니다

친구 카카오 ID로 나를 추가 NickyXnk2112

Annyeonghaseyo! jeoneun Piw imnida!

annyeonghaseyo Jeoneun Lusil (Lucille) imnida

How to Introduce Yourself in Korean

Last modified: Aug 09, 2023 | 7 min read | By Laura Toyryla

When you meet a new Korean person , knowing how to introduce yourself in Korean is very helpful ! In this way, you can easily introduce yourself and start communicating with the locals.

How you’ll introduce yourself in the Korean language will vary based on the situation, we can get you started on the basics. Add to these based on your situation. Let’s get started!

• 1.1 1. Greet them by saying 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo).
• 1.2 2. Bow as you greet them.
• 1.3 3. If you shake hands, use your right hand or both hands.
• 1.4 4. Address them by their title or family name.
• 2.1 Basic Greetings in Korean
• 2.2 Introducing Your Age in Korean
• 2.3 Introducing Where You Are From in Korean
• 2.4 Introducing Your Occupation in Korean
• 3.1 List of Hobbies in Korean

Things to know when meeting new people in Korea

It’s good to go over a couple of points on the manners and culture in Korea first. This is extremely important if you’re in South Korea . After you’ve learned them, we’ll get started on how to introduce yourself in Korean ! These situations are also often portrayed on television, so you can see this in Korean drama .

1. Greet them by saying 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo).

Before anything else, greet them by saying 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo). It is important in Korean culture to be polite and show respect toward others. First impressions are everything.

2. Bow as you greet them.

3. If you shake hands, use your right hand or both hands.

When you shake hands, use your right hand or both hands . You can show more respect by bowing and touching your left hand to your right or grabbing your stomach with your left hand.

4. Address them by their title or family name.

Koreans do not refer to each other by their first name unless they are close friends, and even then, they often go by “언니 (eonni),” “오빠 (oppa)” and so on .

When you are meeting a new person, use their title or family name unless they say otherwise .

How to introduce yourself in Korean

Now that we’ve gone through the important things to know when meeting a new friend in South Korea, let’s proceed with learning self-introduction in Korean. We will teach basic greetings, how to state your age and where you’re from your job , and the usual conversations people have when meeting for the first time .

You’ll also get to learn more about Korean grammar and more Korean words . When you greet people in Korean, they are likely to talk to you in Korean , and a Korean self-introduction script might come in handy!

You might know how to speak Korean, but if you don’t know how to read the Korean Alphabet, you can learn it here in about 1 hour.

Basic Greetings in Korean

As you learn Korean, how to greet someone is one of the first things that you’ll know, whether it’s from recognizing phrases in a Korean drama or as part of general language learning. The Korean phrases below are essential in introducing yourself in Korean and teaching the basics of what you can use, whether the standard or formal form or way to say them.

“Hello” in Korean

The most common way to greet someone you’ve met for the first time is by saying “hello.” Below is how you can say it in a standard way.

Our article on how to say “hello” in Korean shows different ways to say this greeting.

안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo)

“Nice to meet you” in Korean

When meeting someone for the first time, you can say, “It’s nice to meet you.” You can say it in a standard or a formal way.

We also have a separate article that teaches you how to say “nice to meet you” in Korean in many other ways.

처음 뵙겠습니다 (cheoeum boepgetseumnida)

It’s nice to meet you!

만나서 반갑습니다 (mannaseo bangapseumnida)

Your self-introduction in Korean

When introducing yourself to someone, you can simply state your name following the sample sentence below. The example shown is can be used in formal situations.

제 이름은 존 입니다. (je ireumeun jonimnida)

My name is John.

Introducing Your Age in Korean

Age makes a big difference in your interactions in Korea . You want to use a more formal version and polite language in introductions for people in a higher social position (your boss, your elders, etc.). You can use standard versions of the Korean language when you introduce yourself in Korean to those who are the same age or younger than you.

저는 스물네 살입니다 (jeoneun seumulle sarimnida)

I’m 24 years old.

저는 스물네 살이에요 (jeoneun seumulle sarieyo)

As you tell others your age, it’s best if you’re familiar with Korean numbers, and you should use the native Korean Number System. We have a complete guide for Korean numbers here . Here’s a quick refresher if you need it.

Note that the Korean age is not the same as the international age. You can be up to two years older in Korean age.

Introducing Where You Are From in Korean

Something that will come up when you introduce yourself in Korean, your partner will probably want to know where you’re from .

저는 미국 에서 왔습니다 (jeoneun migugeseo watseumnida)

I am from the U.S .

저는 미국 에서 왔어요 (jeoneun migugeseo wasseoyo) 

I am from the U.S.

Example Countries in Korean

You can fill in the blank with the country that applies to you . For more countries, you can check our post about how to say “country” in Korean .

Introducing Your Occupation in Korean

Work is important in Korean culture , and it’s likely to come up when you introduce yourself in Korean, either during your self-introduction or as a question after you finish.

저는 학생 입니다 (jeoneun haksaengimnida)

I am a student.

저는 모델 이에요 (jeoneun moderieyo)

I am a model.

저는 가수 예요 (jeoneun gasuyeyo)

I am a singer.

Example Occupations in Korean

Here are some examples of jobs and what they are called in Korean. You can use these with the sentences above to introduce yourself in Korean as well as to explain your occupation.

Conversation topics when introducing yourself in Korean

After you introduce yourself in Korean and finish with the basic questions South Koreans will ask, you might want to introduce some other topics to keep the conversation going. Here are some basic sentences you can use.

저는 학원에서 한국어를 배웠습니다 (jeoneun hagwoneseo hangugeoreul baewotseumnida)

I learned Korean at the academy.

저는 혼자서 한국어를 공부했어요 (jeoneun honjaseo hangugeoreul gongbuhaesseoyo)

I studied Korean by myself.

저는 친구에게서 한국어를 배웠어요 (jeoneun chinguegeseo hangugeoreul baewosseoyo)

I learned Korean from my friend.

저는 서울 에서 살고 있습니다 (jeoneun seoureseo salgo itseumnida)

I live in Seoul.

저는 필리핀 에서 살고 있어요 (jeoneun pillipineseo salgo isseoyo)

I live in the Philippines.

제 취미는 러닝 이에요 (je chwimineun reoningieyo)

My hobby is running.

제 취미는 요리 예요 (je chwimineun yoriyeyo)

My hobby is cooking.

독서 는 제 취미 중 하나예요 (dokseoneun je chwimi jung hanayeyo)

Reading is one of my hobbies.

If you’d like to know more about constructing sentences in Korean, we have a full article on Korean sentence structure .

List of Hobbies in Korean

For more lists of hobbies and activities, you can check our separate article focused on hobbies in Korean and sports in Korean .

Now you know how to introduce yourself to your new Korean friends or some native speakers in Korean! If you’re looking for more, check out our fantastic resources on learning Korean here . We also have a structured online Korean language web program that will teach you how to have a 3-minute conversation in the first 90 days.

Did you find today’s lesson on learning Korean useful? Practice introducing yourself in the comments, and we’ll reply with how you did!

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155 thoughts on “How to Introduce Yourself in Korean”

i am really thankful and gratufull for you guys now i can talk korean and write it thank you so much

Awesome! You’re welcome and thanks for sharing, Lee. ^^

Thanks for this! Sir, now I can have basic conversations and write in Korean! Could you please suggest more ways to sharpen my Korean?

You’re welcome, Jack! ^^ Glad to hear you’re learning Korean. To sharpen your Korean skills, you can check out our articles Korean conversation – Practice through dialogues and Korean Practice – How to effectively use your language skills .

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How to Introduce Yourself in Korean: The 15-minute Guide

Becoming completely fluent in 국어 (the Korean language) can take years.

But if you only want to learn how to introduce yourself in Korean, all you need is 15 minutes!

In this article, I’ll teach you how to say “Hello, my name is…” and other useful phrases for when you first meet somebody. I’ll also provide you with a sample conversation and websites or apps you can use to help solidify what you’ve learned.

How to Introduce Yourself in Korean: An Overview

Basic phrases for introducing yourself in korean, “hello, my name is…”, “nice to meet you”, “i’m from…”, talking about your age, talking about your job, sample conversation for introducing yourself in korean, online resources for practicing your introducing yourself in korean, watch authentic korean videos on fluentu, connect with native speakers on hellotalk, run grammar drills on how to study korean, work on memorization with korean flashcards from quizlet, chat with a robot on mondlyar.

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)

In English, when you first meet somebody, you probably say some variation of “Hello, my name is…” You can use the same phrase in English no matter who you’re talking to.

In Korean, you need to change the phrase slightly depending on who you’re speaking with.  The way you speak to older members of the family , for example, will differ from the way you speak to close friends.

In case you’re not familiar with the different levels of formality in Korean , here’s a quick guide.

• 반말 (Casual language): Used with people younger than you and close friends. 
• 존댓말 (Polite language): Used with strangers and people you don’t know well. It comes in two forms: informal and formal. Sentences written in the informal version usually end with a “ 요 ” on the verb. Sentences written in the formal version often end in (ㅡ) ㅂ니다 .

For our purposes, we’re going to focus on the polite informal way of speaking . You can use this form in most day-to-day situations.

Just like in English, there are several ways to introduce yourself in Korean .

When you’re meeting somebody for the first time, you’ll use one of the following phrases to say “Hello, my name is…”

If your name ends in a vowel, say:

안녕하세요? 저는 _____ 예요 . Hello, my name is _____.

If your name ends in a consonant, say:

안녕하세요? 저는 _____ 이에요 . Hello, my name is _____.

You can also use one of the following phrases with no difference in meaning.

If your name ends in a vowel:

제 이름은 _____ 예요 . My name is _____.

And if your name ends in a consonant:

제 이름은 _____ 이에요 . My name is _____.

If you want to ask somebody else what their name is, you can say:

이름이 뭐예요? What is your name?

There are several ways to say “nice to meet you” in Korean, but one of the simplest is:

만나서 반가워요. Nice to meet you.

Shortly after meeting somebody, they might ask you about your background. You can use this phrase to tell somebody what country or city you’re from:

저는 _____ 에서 왔어요 . I come from _____.

Korean speakers often drop the word “I” from sentences. Usually, when you can guess the subject of the sentence from the context, you can drop 저는 without changing the meaning.

Here’s a list of some countries you might be from. Most countries sound similar to their English counterpart, but some others (like America, Australia and England) are different.

Canada: 캐나다 England: 영국 America: 미국 Ireland: 아일랜드 Scotland: 스코틀랜드 Northern Ireland: 북아일랜드 New Zealand: 뉴질랜드 India: 인도 Australia: 호주 The Philippines: 필리핀 Jamaica: 자메이카 The Bahamas: 바하마 제도

When meeting somebody for the first time, you may want to ask them how old they are so you know how formal you should be when speaking.

Saying your age is easy. You can just give a number followed by this phrase:

_____ 살이에요 . I am _____ years old.

Keep in mind that there are two different number systems in Korean. For your age, you should use native Korean numbers. If you need to brush up on your Korean numbers, here’s a reminder.

One: 하나 ( 한 ) Two: 둘 ( 두 ) Three: 셋 ( 세 ) Four: 넷 ( 네 ) Five: 다섯 Six: 여섯 Seven: 일곱 Eight: 여덟 Nine: 아홉 Ten: 열 Twenty: 스물 ( 스무 ) Thirty: 서른 Forty: 마흔 Fifty: 쉰 Sixty: 예순 Seventy: 일흔 Eighty: 여든 Ninety: 아흔

If you want to ask someone how old they are, you can use either of the following expressions, depending on whether the context is formal or casual.

나이가 어떻게 되세요? How old are you? (Formal)

몇 살이에요? How old are you? (Casual)

If you’re asking somebody older than you their age, you should say:

연세가 어떻게 되세요? How old are you?

If you want to tell somebody what you do for work, you can use the following expression, putting your job title in the blank:

저는 _____ 이에요/예요 . I am a _____.

Here’s a list of some common job titles.

Teacher: 선생님 Student: 학생 Doctor: 의사 Nurse: 간호사 Scientist: 과학자 Athlete: 운동 선수

If you want to ask somebody what their job is, you can use the following expression. It loosely translates to “what is your profession?”

무슨 일 하세요? What’s your job?

Congratulations—you now have a solid foundation for introducing yourself and striking up a conversation in Korean!

Now that you’ve learned some basic phrases , here’s an example of a conversation putting them together:

Ryan: 안녕하세요? 저는 Ryan이에요. 이름이 뭐예요? Hello, I’m Ryan. What’s your name?

Min-Soo: 저는 Min-Soo예요. 한국에서 왔어요. I’m Min-Soo. I’m from Korea.

Ryan: 만나서 반가워요. Nice to meet you.

Min-Soo: 저도요. Ryan, 나이가 어떻게 되세요? Same to you. How old are you, Ryan?

Ryan: 25살이에요. 무슨 일 하세요? I’m 25 years old. What’s your job?

Min-Soo: 학생이에요. I’m a student.

This is just one example of how this conversation might go. To really get the ball rolling, call up a classmate, conversation partner or Korean-speaking friend and run this dialogue several different times with variations in how the two characters respond. Record yourself and then listen back for extra pronunciation practice.

Merely learning these phrases once isn’t enough. You have to make time to practice!

Here are a few apps and websites to help you reinforce what you’ve learned here:

You can look up all of the phrases above to see them in action in real Korean-language media.

FluentU takes real-world videos—like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks—and turns them into personalized language learning lessons .

Here's a quick look at the variety of video choices available to you:

Each word in the interactive captions comes with a definition, audio, image, example sentences and more.

Access a complete interactive transcript of every video under the Dialogue tab, and easily review words and phrases from the video under Vocab .

Don't stop there, though. You can use FluentU’s unique quizzes to learn the vocabulary and phrases from the video through fun questions.

FluentU even tracks your progress and remembers all the words you've learned, making for a 100% personalized experience .

Review sessions use video context to help embed the words in your memory. The best part? You can access the full FluentU video library with a free trial!

Start using the FluentU website on your computer or tablet or, better yet, download the FluentU app from the iTunes or Google Play store. Click here to take advantage of our current sale! (Expires at the end of this month.)

HelloTalk is a social media app that connects you with native speakers interested in learning your language.

You can chat, ask questions and make corrections to each other’s speech and writing. This app is great for practicing introductions, because you’ll have to introduce yourself every time you connect with someone new!

If you want to know more about this app, read our HelloTalk review .

If you want to improve your grammar and develop your fluency, How to Study Korean is one of the best free resources available on the internet.

The site has more than 150 lessons to help you improve your Korean language ability, plus games and activities to help you practice.

If you prefer your flashcards the old-fashioned way, that’s great too: simply make some using paper or notecards. Writing these phrases down will help you practice spelling and aid in memorization as well.

MondlyAR—part of the broader Mondly language-learning service—provides a virtual reality chatbox feature that can help you practice phrases you’ve learned.

Try starting a conversation and practicing the phrases you’ve learned today. Using a chatbot can be a great way to build confidence before reaching out to an actual native speaker. You can learn more about whether MondlyAR is the app for you via our review .

Other than the above, there are plenty of apps you can check out to level up your Korean.

For more information on how to introduce yourself in Korean, you can also watch this YouTube video:

And if you want to get your honorifics right, this video can help you out:

See? 15 minutes of your time, and you’re already a more confident Korean speaker.

Now that you know some basic phrases, you can use them to kickstart your next conversation in Korean. This just might be the perfect moment to transform that Korean-speaking stranger into a new friend.

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An Effective #1 Guide To Introduce Yourself In Korean

• , February 7, 2024

Imagine yourself walking alone on Nami Island, then suddenly, someone said “제 이름은 …. 입니다 Je ireumeun Imnida.”. Then, you might want to learn how to introduce yourself in Korean. Wouldn’t it be to find a new friend in the beautiful country of Korea?  Yes , this might sound as cheesy as what’s in Korean dramas, but it is not impossible to meet someone in Korea while having a good time.

Koreans are known to be polite and respectful . It is easily seen in the way they speak to other people, even strangers. Introducing yourself is one of the basic social etiquette during first meetings, and Koreans do this in the most polite way possible. So, let’s discover how to introduce yourself in Korean. Surely, after this language lesson, you will be able to make some new friends –친구 chingu .

Why Must You Learn To Introduce Yourself?

A self-introduction is not always too easy to do for some people. Some people feel anxious and shy, but some people are outgoing and want to meet many people. People can’t easily be confident in introducing their names, while some can get along easily and love to widen their circles. So, why must you learn to introduce yourself?

For starters, it breaks the ice between strangers. It saves you from awkward first meeting moments when you don’t have anything to talk about because you do not know each other. It can make other people feel confident to express themselves and share what they want to share.

Introducing yourself in business or the workplace is a requirement, especially if you’re a new employee or have just met your business partner. It is a sign of respect to the seniors and to the person you have a business with.

Lastly, it can show that you can confidently meet other people. Giving the impression that you’re okay with new friends, ideas, perspectives, and culture is one of the characteristics people love. You know that we will encounter people with different perspectives, ideas, beliefs, and traditions in our lives. If you want to gain more friends and connections, you should learn how to introduce yourself effectively.

How To Introduce Yourself In Korean?

Now that we have learned about the importance of introducing yourself, let’s learn how to introduce yourself in Korean.

The Korean language is not just a language spoken in Korea. It is also a reflection of their culture and traditions. Their politeness and respect for others can really be seen in the way they talk to others. If this is your first time learning about Korea, you should know that Koreans have different levels of politeness. These levels are determined by the age (age in Korean) and the social hierarchy of the person you are talking to.

Koreans have a formal form of spoken language, talking with elders, people in a much higher social hierarchy, and strangers.

The informal form is used when talking to people that are the same age or younger than you. It can also be your close friends or family.

The last one is the standard form. You can use this in most situations. It’s not too formal and not too informal as well. The politeness level is one of the first things you remember when you are learning Korean. Therefore, it would help if you first learned how to be respectful and polite, which could be the best first step to introducing yourself in Korean. Let’s start learning the words and phrases that you can use when introducing yourself in Korean.

1. Start With A Greeting

안녕하세요  (annyeonghaseyo).

Do you remember how Sung Deok Sun in “Reply 1988” introduces herself as a picket girl in the Olympics? Although the setting of this series is 1988, Koreans still introduce themselves that way.

“Annyeonghaseyo” or “Annyeong” is probably one of the most common Korean words that you’ll hear in Kdramas. So, why not start your self-introduction with a greeting? Just like in other cultures, we usually say ‘hello’ first before we talk to somebody. Greetings in Korean are usually done before you introduce your name in Korean. They are one of the most common icebreakers, and it also implies courtesy. This is the reason why this is the first step to introduce yourself in Korean.

In the past blog, you have learned Korean greetings . You should remember that it is not done casually like in other cultures. Koreans have their own way of doing it. They bow their heads according to the age of the person they are greeting. For handshakes, they do it with the right hand or both hands. To address them, they use their title or family name.

Here are other greetings that you can use:

2. Say Your Name

이름이 뭐에요 ireumi mwoeyo – what’s your name, 제 이름은 민준입니다. (je ireumeun minjunimnida.) – my name is minjun., format:  제 이름은 …. 입니다 (je ireumeun __ imnida) – my name is __..

In the Korean drama “The King: Eternal Monarch,” Lee Gon (the king) tells Jeong Tae-Eul his name regardless of the rule that nobody should ever know the king’s true name. This scene truly proves that there’s no rule in love.

But, of course, you’re not a king in Korea, right? So, you still have to introduce your name in Korean. This is the most important step in introducing yourself to Korean. Some people want to use their Korean names in Hangul when they go to Korea. But, for those who are just starting yet, you can use the original pronunciation of your name.

Here are some Korean names:

3. mention your age,  몇 살이세요 (myeot sariseyo) –  how old are you,  저는  스물네  살입니다 (jeoneun seumulle sarimnida) – i’m 24 years old, format: 저는 __살입니다  (jeoneun __ sarimnida) – i am__years old..

One of the most iconic Kdrama is “Goblin.” It is about a 900-year-old Goblin who is cursed to live forever until he finds his bride. Can you imagine that? The Goblin is 90 years old. Of course, it cannot happen in real life, but if you live that long, you’ll meet many people.

Koreans have different ways of counting their age before. It is not the same as what most of the culture does. They have this thing called the Korean age, which is their own way of calculating their age. Korean age is always a year or two years older than their international age because they count their age while they are in the womb; that’s why when they are born, they are already one year old. Also. Every Korean age one year during New Year’s Day.

But if you’re not Korean, you don’t have to convert your age, especially if you’re just there for vacation. Use the format above to introduce yourself age in Korean. Remember that age is important in Koreans because this will be their basis for how to address someone. If you want to learn Korean numbers, here’s a list for you. You can visit the Ling app  if you want to know more.

Here is a list of ages in Korean:

4. State Your Occupation

무슨 일 하세요 (museun il haseyo) – what’s your occupation, 교사입니다. (gyosaimnida.) – i’m a teacher., format: 저는__입니다  (jeoneun  __ imnida) – i am a __..

The next step to introduce yourself in Korean is to state your occupation. Then, share what you do for a living. Having a stable job nowadays is something that you should be proud of in your life. You are lucky if you find a job where you can do what you are passionate about.

The word for occupation in Korean is (직업 jigeop). Suppose you want to draw some inspiration on what occupation, profession, or job that you want in Korea. In that case, you might want to check Kdramas like Law School for those who want to be lawyers, Hospital Playlist, and Dr. Romantic for those who want to be in the medical field, and Itaewon Class and Start-Up if you want to start a business and start-ups.

Here is a list of occupations in Korean:

5. Mention Where You Live

어디에 사세요 (eodie saseyo) – where do you live, 저는 서울에서 살고 있습니다 (jeoneun seoureseo salgo itseumnida) – i live in seoul, format: 저는 __에서 살고 있습니다  (jeoneun __ eseo salgo isseumnida) – i live in__. .

If you are currently living in Korea, you can easily say where you live. There are many beautiful places to live in Korea that are near many tourist attractions and public transportation. You can also choose to live in places near your favorite Kdrama shooting spot, like Deoksugung Palace Stonewall Walkway from Goblin and Cheonggyecheon Stream from Vicenzo.

You can check out the list below for some examples of these beautiful cities.

Here is a list of cities in Korea:

6. State What Country You Came From

어디 출신이세요 eodi chulsiniseyo – where are you from, 저는 미국에서 왔습니다 (jeoneun migugeseo wasseumnida) – i am from u.s., format: 저는__에서 왔습니다 (jeoneun__eseo wasseumnida).

Another step to introduce yourself in Korean is Stating the country where you came from. If you are a foreigner and you just want to explore the culture of Korea. You can also use the standard form 저는 __ 에서 왔어요  (jeoneun __eseo wasseoyo) so that it would not be too formal and casual either.

Sharing the country where you came from is a conversation piece. You can share something about your culture with other people and be proud of it. This will widen both of your knowledge of different cultures.

Here is a list of countries in Korean:

7. Share Your Hobbies

당신의 취미는 무엇입니까 (dangsin-ui chwimineun mueos-ibnikka), – what are your hobbies,  제 취미는  요리 예요 (je chwimineun yoriyeyo) – my hobby is cookin g, format: 제 취미는 __이에요/예요 (je chwimineun __ieyo/yeyo)- my hobby __..

The last step that you can do to introduce yourself in Korean effectively is to share your hobbies. Of course, this is a good conversation piece, but sharing hobbies can open doors to meeting new friends with the same likes and hobbies.

There are lots of common hobbies among Koreans that you might also enjoy, like listening and dancing to the songs of their favorite Korean boy band or girl group, traveling to different parts of Korea, and of course, eating Samgyupsal with your friends.

Saying this when you introduce yourself in Korean is an interesting thing to do. Who knows? Maybe you can turn that hobby into a profession or career.  Yes , it is possible. If you want inspiration, watch “Record of Youth” Kdrama.

Here is a list of hobbies in the Korean language:

After Introducing Yourself In Korean, What’s Next?

Introducing yourself in Korean is just a step toward discovering more about Korean culture. But if you want to go further, you can try the Ling app and learn Korean more. We all know that language learning has many advantages, so why not start your free lessons now with the Ling app ? Just search it online, and in just a matter of time, you will surely learn how to read, write, and speak Korean.

So, what are you waiting for? Grab your phone and download the Ling app on the Play Store or App Store . Start learning Korean now!

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How to Introduce Yourself in Korean

Last Updated: December 13, 2023 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Jennifer Mueller, JD . Jennifer Mueller is a wikiHow Content Creator. She specializes in reviewing, fact-checking, and evaluating wikiHow's content to ensure thoroughness and accuracy. Jennifer holds a JD from Indiana University Maurer School of Law in 2006. There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 275,192 times. Learn more...

Whether you're traveling in South Korea or want to socialize with a local Korean immigrant community, you need to introduce yourself. First, say “hello” with a polite 안녕하세요 (“annyeong haseyo”) while bowing slightly at the waist. Shake hands if one is offered to you, and then you can state your name and continue the conversation. Introductions may seem intimidating, but as long as you speak politely and show respect, you'll be making new Korean friends in no time. [1] X Research source

Meeting New People

• If you're greeting a child for the first time, it's fine to simply say "안녕" (annyeong), which is the informal way to say "hello."

Tip: In Korean, there are formal, polite, and informal ways of speaking. The character 요 (yo) is an indication that you're using the polite way of speaking, which is acceptable anytime you're speaking to strangers, or to people older than you or in a position of authority.

• Close your eyes or keep them downcast as you bow. However, be alert for an extended hand. A handshake may accompany bows, particularly among men greeting other men.

• You can also use "식사하셨어요?" (shiksa hashutsuyo?) This question literally means "Have you eaten?" However, it's a common way to ask "How are you?" in Korean culture. The typical response to this question is "네 했어요" (ae haeseoyo), which means "Yes, I've eaten." Keep in mind that despite the translation, if you're asked this question by someone, they aren't asking you to out to eat with them.

• For example, if your first name is Karen, you might say "je ireumeun Karen imnida."
• It's true that there are often "translations" for names in different languages, particularly European languages. However, this is not the case for Korean. Simply use your regular name.
• After introducing yourself, you might ask "이름이 무엇입니까?" (ireumi mueosimnikka?) This question means "what's your name?" When the person responds, you might say "반갑습니다" (bangapseumnida), which means "pleased to meet you." [6] X Research source

Respecting Korean Culture

• If you're greeting someone older than you, of high social status, or in a position of authority, you may bow as much as 45 degrees forward, keeping your head lowered.

Tip: It would never be considered a mistake to bow too deeply. However, if you don't bow deeply enough, you might offend. For that reason, it's best to err on the side of a deeper bow.

• Using both hands is a sign of respect. You can also support your right wrist with your left hand as you shake the person's hand.

• This can be difficult if you come from a Western culture that values eye contact. If you find yourself struggling, remain conscious of your eyes and look away quickly if you happen to make eye contact. Brief eye contact is no big deal, but sustained eye contact may be problematic.

• There are many titles in Korea that are the equivalent of "father," "teacher," or "doctor." The title you use may depend on your relationship to the person. For example, if you introduce yourself to the parents of your Korean friend, they may want you to use the "father" and "mother" titles for them.
• If you don't know the right title to use with a person, add "씨" (ssi) to the end of their full name. This is the equivalent of using "Mr." or "Ms." in English. For example, if you are introduced to Mr. Kim Sung-Yoon and you didn't know any other title to use, you could address him as "Kimsungyoonssi." [11] X Research source

Community Q&A

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.omniglot.com/language/phrases/korean.php
• ↑ https://theculturetrip.com/asia/south-korea/articles/korean-greetings-you-should-know/
• ↑ https://blogs.transparent.com/korean/hello-and-hi-in-korean/
• ↑ https://app2brain.com/learn-languages/korean/conversations/
• ↑ https://blogs.transparent.com/korean/as-a-tourist-in-korea-greeting-simple-conversation/
• ↑ https://theculturetrip.com/asia/south-korea/articles/15-korean-phrases-you-need-to-know/
• ↑ https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/south-korean-culture/south-korean-culture-greetings
• ↑ https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/south-korean-culture/south-korean-culture-communication
• ↑ https://blog.lingodeer.com/korean-honorifics/

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How to Introduce Yourself in Korean: Step-by-Step Guide

Table of contents, why learn how to introduce yourself in korean.

Knowing how to introduce yourself in Korean is crucial for learning the language and understanding Korean culture. If you’re interested in Korean language and culture or planning a trip to Korea, learning how to introduce yourself in Korean is the first step. In this guide, I’ll provide a step-by-step process for how to introduce yourself in Korean, including essential phrases and basic grammar.

“Learning Korean based on theory or rules alone may not be enough to achieve your goals. To truly master the language, extensive practice is necessary. Are you looking for a Korean course that prioritizes practice? Join our free course and experience it for yourself now😊.”

Basic Korean Grammar for Introducing Yourself

To learn how to introduce yourself in Korean, it’s crucial to understand Basic Korean Grammar for Introducing Yourself. In Korean language, the word order follows subject-object-verb (SOV), which differs from English. Here are some essential sentence structures to keep in mind:

Example: 제 이름은 [Name]입니다. My name is [Name].

제 이름은 제인입니다. 제 (je) 이름은 (i-reu-meun) 제인입니다 (je-in-im-ni-da). 제 (my; in a humble way) 이름 (name) 은 (my topic is my name) 제인 (Jane) 입니다 (is; I’m telling you formally). My name is Jane.

Example: 저는 [Nationality] 사람입니다. I am from [Nationality].

저는 멕시코 사람입니다. 저는 (jeo-neun) 멕시코 (mek-si-ko) 사람입니다 (sa-ram-im-ni-da). 저 (I; in a humble way) 는 (I’m going to talk about me) 멕시코 (Mexico) 사람 (person) 입니다 (am; I’m telling you formally). I am from Mexico. Lit. I am Mexico person.

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Introduce Yourself in Korean

Now that you have a basic understanding of Korean grammar, let’s dive into the step-by-step process for how to introduce yourself in Korean.

The first step is to greet the person you’re introducing yourself to. The most common greeting in Korean is 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo), which means “ hello .” Other common greetings include 안녕 (annyeong), which is less formal, and 반갑습니다 (bangapseubnida), which means “nice to meet you” and is commonly used in formal situations. It’s important to note that the level of formality used in the greeting should match the level of familiarity and social status of the person you’re speaking with.

안녕하세요, 반갑습니다. 안녕하세요 (an-nyeong-ha-se-yo), 반갑습니다 (ban-gap-seum-ni-da). 안녕하세요 (hello; in a polite way), 반갑 (to be glad) 습니다 (am; I’m telling you formally). Hello, nice to meet you. Lit. Hello, (I)’m glad.

“I designed my Korean course to make learning Korean easy for you, even if you don’t know grammar rules. Feel free to join me. Get started for free! My course will help you gain confidence and develop skills to communicate with native Korean speakers. You’ll be able to understand conversations, read books, and watch movies with ease. Don’t wait any longer, join now and start learning Korean!”

After exchanging greetings, the next step is to learn how to Introduce yourself in Korean by stating your name. In Korean, you can say “제 이름은 [Name]입니다” (je ireumeun [Name]imnida), which translates to “My name is [Name].” It’s essential to use appropriate honorifics while introducing yourself to someone who is older or of higher status.

안녕하세요, 제 이름은 존입니다. 만나서 반갑습니다. 안녕하세요 (an-nyeong-ha-se-yo), 제 (je) 이름은 (i-reu-meun) 존입니다 (jon-im-ni-da). 만나서 (man-na-seo) 반갑습니다 (ban-gap-seum-ni-da). 안녕하세요 (hello; in a polite way), 제 (my; in a humble way) 이름 (name) 은 (my topic is my name) 존 (John) 입니다 (is; I’m telling you formally). 만나 (to meet) 아서 (because) 반갑 (to be glad) 습니다 (am; I’m telling you formally). * 만나 + 아서 = 만나서 Hello, my name is John. Nice to meet you. Lit. Hello, my name is John. (I)’m glad because (I) meet (you).

Nationality

After introducing yourself by name, the next step in how to introduce yourself in Korean is to mention your nationality by saying “저는 [Nationality] 사람입니다” (jeoneun [Nationality]saramimnida), which translates to “I am from [Nationality].” This can help the other person understand your background and origin.

안녕하세요, 제 이름은 John이고 저는 미국 사람입니다. 안녕하세요 (an-nyeong-ha-se-yo), 제 (je) 이름은 (i-reu-meun) 존이고 (jo-ni-go) 저는 (jeo-neun) 미국 (mi-guk) 사람입니다 (sa-ram-im-ni-da). 안녕하세요 (hi; in a polite way), 제 (my; in a humbe way) 이름 (name) 은 (my topic is my name) 존 (John) 이고 (and) 저 (I; in a humble way) 는 (my topic is myself) 미국 (the United States) 사람 (person) 입니다 (am; I’m telling you formally). Hi, my name is John and I’m from the United States. Lit. Hi, my name is John and I’m United States person.

Next, you can mention your occupation by saying “제 직업은 [Occupation]입니다” (je jigeobeun [Occupation]imnida), which means “My occupation is [Occupation].” This can help the other person understand what you do for a living and can provide a conversation starter.

제 직업은 선생님입니다. 제 (je) 직업은 (ji-geo-beun) 선생님입니다 (seon-saeng-nim-im-ni-da). 제 (my; in a humble way) 직업 (occupation) 은 (my topic is my occupaton) 선생님 (teacher) 입니다 (is; I’m telling you formally). My occupation is a teacher. Lit. My occupation is teacher.

저는 엔지니어로 일합니다. 저는 (jeo-neun) 엔지니어로 (en-ji-ni-eo-ro) 일합니다 (il-ham-ni-da). 저 (I; in a humble way) 는 (my topic is myself) 엔지니어 (engineer) 로 (as) 일하 (to work) ㅂ니다 (I’m telling you formally). I work as an engineer. Lit. I work as engineer.

Hobbies and Interests

Lastly, you can mention your hobbies and interests by saying “제 취미는 [Hobby]입니다” (je chuimineun [Hobby]imnida), which means “My hobby is [Hobby].” This can help the other person get to know you better and can provide topics for further conversation.

제 취미는 독서입니다. 제 (je) 취미는 (chwi-mi-neun) 독서입니다 (dok-sseo-im-ni-da). 제 (my; in a humbe way) 취미 (hobby) 는 (my topic is my hobby) 독서 (reading) 입니다 (is; I’m telling you formally). My hobby is reading.

제 취미는 등산입니다. 제 (je) 취미는 (chwi-mi-neun) 등산입니다 (deung-san-im-ni-da). 제 (my; in a humble way) 취미 (hobby) 는 (my topic is my hobby) 등산 (hiking) 입니다 (is; I’m telling you formally). My hobby is hiking.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid When Introducing Yourself in Korean

When learning how to Introduce yourself in Korean, it can be nerve-wracking, particularly if you are not a native speaker. However, with adequate preparation and practice, you can confidently introduce yourself and avoid common mistakes. In this article, we will discuss some common mistakes to avoid when introducing yourself in Korean and provide tips on how to introduce yourself in Korean effectively.

Using Formal Language

One common mistake to avoid when learning Korean introducing Yourself in Korean is using informal language with someone who deserves formal language. In Korean culture, formal language is a way to show respect to those who are older or of higher status. For instance, when introducing yourself to a professor or a boss, it is crucial to use formal language to show respect. Failing to do so may result in the other person feeling disrespected or offended.

Forgetting to Use Honorifics

When learning How to Introduce Yourself in Korea, another mistake to avoid is forgetting to use honorifics when addressing someone older or of higher status. Honorifics are a way to show respect to those who are of a higher age or status. Failing to use honorifics can come across as rude or disrespectful. For instance, instead of saying “What is your name?” to an older person, it is better to use the honorific form “What is your respected name?” or “What is your honorable name?” to show respect.

Mispronouncing Words or Using Incorrect Grammar

Mispronouncing words or using incorrect grammar can also be a common mistake when introducing yourself in Korean. Korean pronunciation and grammar can be challenging for non-native speakers. However, making an effort to learn proper pronunciation and grammar can go a long way in making a good impression. You can practice by listening to Korean speakers or taking a Korean language class.

Being Too Verbose or Using Complicated Sentences

When introducing yourself in Korean, it’s important to keep your sentences clear and concise. Being too verbose or using complicated sentences can make it difficult for the other person to understand you. Keep your introduction simple and to the point. For example, instead of saying “I am a student who is currently studying Korean language and culture at a university in Seoul,” you could say “I am a student studying Korean in Seoul.”

Learning How to Introduce Yourself in Korean can be a fantastic way to connect with Korean speakers and understand their culture. Remember to use proper honorifics and show respect when addressing someone. Regularly practicing your Korean language skills can also help you improve. With these tips and a bit of practice, you will be able to confidently and fluently introduce yourself in Korean.

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How To Introduce Yourself in Korean [Complete Guide]

There is always a specific etiquette to follow when introducing yourself in any culture and foreign language. Some people place a great deal of importance on this, since first impressions are everything. However, there is a particular value placed on introductions in Korean and it’s essential to understand the nuances.

If you will be traveling to South Korea in the future, then it’s imperative you develop a solid grasp on introducing yourself. This will include learning various levels of speech, honorifics, important phrases, how to present yourself and so many others.

While it isn’t difficult in theory, there are many intricacies and details to know. Certainly, it can get overwhelming and confusing. However, consistent practice will have you memorizing it in no time.

Upon Meeting New People

The first thing you must do when you meet a new person in Korea is to address them by an appropriate speech level along with any necessary honorifics. This is because Koreans value hierarchy and the language used reflects this highly regarded practice.

Therefore, you will speak to people older and younger than you differently as well as those who are friends or your own age. This is what they refer to as levels of speech. However, the addition of honorifics intensifies this social requirement.

Levels of Speech

For elders as well as those of a higher status than you (even if they are younger or your own age), the formal is most appropriate. Almost all sentences using this speech level will end with –ㅂ니다 (b-ewe-nee-dah).

The semi-formal is for your friends, people your own age or those of an equal status. Also known as polite speech, this is the standard and often used in most everyday situations. These sentences usually end in 요 (yoh).

The informal, or casual, speech is for those younger or people who have less seniority than you have. Alternatively, you can also use it with people you know really well and to whom you’re close.

About Honorifics

Honorifics are a way Koreans show respect through speech and a display of regarding social hierarchy. Seniority and status are very important to the culture, with the language reflecting this value. The use of titles, pronouns, verbs and nouns will vary depending on the honorific.

These are a way to show others in public how close you are to the person with whom you’re speaking. The more honorifics, the further away the people are from each other. The more informal use of speech indicates they’re close. Ergo, using the wrong greeting and manner of addressing someone is a sign of disrespect and rudeness. So, you want to avoid this at all costs.

This means that when you first meet someone, it’s always good to use standard polite speech until you can get a feel for their position in contrast to yours along with age. Because honorifics are a whole section of the Korean language, we’ll only mention the ones important to know when introducing yourself.

Comparing Honorifics with Levels of Speech

Levels of speech can change and vary depending on the situation you’re in. For instance, you might use formal for speaking in front of a large audience or as a news broadcaster. You can even use various speech levels to refer to yourself depending on the topic in question.

Honorifics are specific in that they display cognizant respect toward the listener or the person about whom you’re speaking. Oftentimes, it will be a requirement when speaking to someone clearly older than you are or who has a higher social status. Unlike speech levels, you cannot use honorifics to speak about yourself.

Patience & Observation

Don’t worry, if you’re going to South Korea and you accidentally say something wrong, most Koreans are very forgiving. However, make a concerted effort never to do it again& especially with the same people.

The best way to observe introductions is to watch K-dramas. While everything else in these soap operas is outlandish and something out of fantasy, their social interactions are right on point.

About the Pronunciations

With many of the words, phrases and sentences laid out below, there is a phonetic pronunciation spelled out. These are not the official transliteration from Hangeul. While the Romanization is helpful, it doesn’t always ring true to actual annunciation.

Therefore, understand these are mere approximations to help English speakers say the words in their rightful context. If you do not find them helpful, you have all the encouragement to supplant your own.

Saying, “Hello” in Korean

Once you see someone face-to-face, you want to start by saying, “hello,” as you would in any language. The following chart details how to say this according to the appropriate speech level. The semi-formal version is the standard.

You can use the informal version to address people you know well or are close to as a way of saying “hi.” If an elder or other such higher up addresses you with the informal, they are being subtly disrespectful. This isn’t always the case, but, sometimes it can be& it will rely on the other words they use toward you after it.

Bowing & Shaking Hands

Once you say hello for the first time, bow at the hips toward them with your left hand on your stomach. Every time you see them afterwards, a head nod will do. That is of course, the person you’re speaking to is older or of a higher status. Then, you bow every time.

Remember, first you say, “hello,” then bow and finally you shake hands. You won’t always shake hands, but, when you do, you use your right hand. Only use the left if you intend to shake with both hands, where the left hand sits on the wrist, elbow or arm of the right. Other than that, leave your left hand out.

This is because the left hand has associations with death and negativity. Older people and those in formal settings could become very offended if you offer a handshake with your left.

Self-Introductions

After initial pleasantries, you should offer your name or you may hear someone ask what your name is. It looks like this: 이름이 뭐에요. You pronounce it eel-euhm-ee mwoo-eye-oh. Then, you have two ways in which to answer:

In the second sentence, notice the backslash. There is a difference in what you use depending on if your name uses a consonant for a vowel. A consonant requires 이에요 whereas a vowel uses 예요. This is because of a grammar rule that says no name in Korean can end in a consonant.

To illustrate, names like David, John, Doug, Jennifer, Lauren and Abigail will use 이에요. The other ending, 예요, is for names such as Anna, Jeanine, Laci, Alexei, Constantine or Mostafa.

Saying “Nice to Meet You”

Once you say hello to someone in Korea, much like in the West, you’ll say something along the lines of “nice to meet you.” It’s polite, courteous and shows a genuine interest in the person to whom you’re speaking. In Korean, it’s the exact same thing in principle and concept, but there are two ways of saying it. They are as follows:

Mentioning Your Age

At some point during the introduction, the person you’re speaking to may ask you what age you are. While in the West we consider it a little rude to ask someone’s age, it’s not this way in Korea. They simply want to gauge where you fit in their hierarchy. It usually looks and sounds like:

몇 살이에요? (myeo-ch sal-ee-eye-yoh?)

몇 살이세요? (myeo-ch sal-ee-say-yoh?)

The Korean number system is too long to get into here. Therefore, you should study it to get your precise age and how you use it in a sentence. But, for the sake of example, let’s say you’re 35 years old. You will respond with:

• Formal: 제 나이는 서른 다섯입니다 (pronounced chay nigh-een-euhn say-oh-leuhn thah-say-oh-sh-eeb-nee-dah)
• Semi-Formal: 저 는 서른 다섯 살이야 (pronounced chay-oh neuhn say-oh-leuhn thah-say-oh sh-al-ee-yah)

Your Home Country

Naturally, Koreans are going to notice that you’re not from around that part of the world. So, they will probably ask you where you come from or what you home nation is. They’ll ask you this in one of three ways:

You will answer with the formal 저는_____ 에서 왔습니다 (pronounced zho-neuhn _____~eseo wah-tseuhm-nee-dah) or the semi-formal 나는 _____ 에서 왔어요 (pronounced nah-neuhn _____eseo wah-soh-yoh).

If you’re from the United States:

• Formal: 저는 미국에서 왔습니다 (pronounced zho-neuhn mee-gkou-g-eseo wah-tseuhm-nee-dah)
• Semi-formal: 나는 미국에서 왔어요 (pronounced nah-neuhn mee-gkou-g-eseo wah-soh-yoh)

However, you could be from another country. While there are grammatical rules for changes, you simply replace the blank with the country name in Korean. The small list below illustrates some of them:

• Australia: 호주 (ho-choo)
• Brazil: 브라질 (beuh-lah-zeel)
• Canada: 캐나다 (kay-nah-dah)
• Egypt: 이집트 (ee-jeep-teuh)
• France: 프랑스 (peuh-lahng-seuh)
• Germany: 독일 (dog-eel)
• Great Britain: 대 브리튼 섬 (die beuh-leet-euhn say-ohm)
• Greece: 그리스 (geuh-lee-seuh)
• Ireland: 아일랜드 (ay-lend-euh)
• Mexico: 멕시코 (mek-see-koh)
• Norway: 노르웨이 (nole-deuh-way)
• Russia: 러시아 (low-see-yah)
• Scotland: 스코틀랜드 (seuh-koh-tell-an-deuh)
• Sweden: 스웨덴 (seuh-way-den)

In some introductions, you’ll want to tell the person what you do as a job or career. You will use either:

• Formal: 저는 _____ 입니다 (cheo-neuhn _____~m nee-dah)
• Semi-Formal: 저는 _____ 에요 (cheo-neuhn   _____ ~eye-oh)

You simply fill in the blank with the appropriate occupation:

• Actor: 배우 (bay-oh)
• Artist: 아티스트 (ah-tees-euh-teuh)
• Athlete: 운동 선수 (oon-dong sey-ohn-soo)
• Banker: 은행가 (euh-nhayng-gah)
• Barista: 바리 스타 (baree seuhta)
• Bartender: 바텐더 (bah-ten-doh)
• Broadcaster: 방송인 (bahng-sohng-een)
• Dancer: 춤추는 사람 (choum-chou-neuhn sah-lahm)
• Editor: 편집자 (peeone-cheeb-jah)
• Skin Esthetician: 피부미용사 (pee-boum-ee-yong-sah)
• Farmer: 농장주 (nong-chahng-choo)
• Hairdresser: 이발사 (ee-bahl-sah)
• Janitor: 관리인 (gwan-lien)
• Journalist: 기자 (gkee-jah)
• Musician: 음악가 (euhm-ah-gkah)
• Programmer: 프로그램 제작자 (peuh-low-geul-ehm jay-jahg-zah)
• Singer: 가수 (gkah-soo)
• Student: 학생 (hahg-sayng)
• Teacher: 선생님 (sohn-sayng-eem)
• Veterinarian: 수의사 (soo-wee-sah)
• Waiter: 웨이터 (way-teuh)
• Writer: 작가 (chah-gkah)

Certainly, someone may ask you about your likes and hobbies. These usually come from people you’re friends with or have some sort of closer relation, so we’ll give only the semi-formal version.

Usually they’ll ask you, “what is your hobby?” 당신의 취미는 무엇입니까? (dahng-shin-oowee chweemee-neuhn moo-ohs ee-bean-ee-kah?)

You can answer with statement such as:

As with occupation and country, fill in the blank with your preferred hobby:

• Bicycling: 자전거 타는 것 (zha-cheong-ayo tahn-neuhn gkohs)
• Bird Watching: 야조 관찰 (yah-cho gwan-chayl)
• Bowling: 볼링 (bou-ling)
• Climbing or Hiking: 등산 (deuhng-sahn)
• Cooking: 요리 (yoh-lee)
• Crafting: 공예 (goung-yay)
• Dancing: 댄스 (den-seuh)
• Gardening: 원예 (whoa-n-yay)
• Golfing: 골프 (goal-peuh)
• Listening to Music: 음악을 듣고 (euhm-agk-eul deuhd-gkho)
• Meditating: 명상(mee-yong-sang)
• Painting: 그림 (geuh-leem)
• Playing Video Games: 비디오 게임하기 (bid-ee-oh gaym-hah-gee)
• Reading: 독서 (toke-soh)
• Running: 달리기 (tahl-lee-gee)
• Sculpting: 조각 (cho-gahg)
• Singing: 명음 (mee-yong-euhm)
• Traveling: 여행 (yoh-hang)
• Walking: 걷는 (kohd-neuhn)
• Watching Movies: 영화 감상 (yong-wah kam-sahng)
• Writing: 글쓰기(geuhl-seuh-gee)

Other Topics of Conversation

As you continue speaking with people, they’ll become curious about how you learned Korean or where you live now, among other such questions. Likewise, you’ll also want to know about them, so keep the questions in mind along with the answers.

Learning Korean

• Where did you learn Korean? 한국어는 어디서 배웠어? (hangk-oog-eoh-neuhn ayo-dees-ay-oh bay-whoa-ssoh)
• Who taught you Korean?   누가 한국어를 가르쳐 줬어? (noo-gkah hang-oog-oh-leuhl gahl-euhch-yay-oh chwahss-oh?)
• I learned Korean at school. 나는 학교에서 한국어를 배웠다 (nahn-neuhn hahgk-gkoh-say-oh hang-oog-oh-leuhl baywoss-dah)
• I learned Korean from a friend. 나는 친구에게 한국어를 배웠다 (nahn-neuhn cheen-kuay-gay hang-oog-oh-leuhl bay-whoa-ss-dah)
• I studied Korean with a friend. 나는 친구와 한국어를 공부했다 (nahn-neuhn cheen-kuay hang-oog-oh-leuhl gong-boo-hay-ss-dah)
• I studied Korean in college. 나는 대학에서 한국어를 공부했다 (nahn-neuhn day-hahg-esayoh hang-oog-oh-leuhl gong-boo-hay-ss-dah)
• I studied Korean on my own. 나는 한국어를 독학으로 공부했다 (nahn-euhn hang-oog-oh-leuhl doag-hahg-euhl-owe gong-boo-hay-ss-dah)

Your Current Home

• Where do you live? 어디 살아요? (oh-dee sal-aye-oh)
• I live in Seoul. 나는 서울에 산다 (nahn-euhn sohl-eh sahn-dah)
• I live down the street. 나는 길 아래에 산다 (nahn-euhn keel ah-lay-ah sahn-dah)
• I live in Busan. 나는 부산에 산다 (nahn-euhn boo-sahn-eh sahn-dah)
• I live in Chicago. 나는 시카고에 산다 (nahn-euhn shee-cah-goh-eh sahn-dah)
• I live a few miles north. 나는 북쪽으로 몇 마일 떨어진 곳에 산다 (nahn-euhn boogk-chok-euh-low mee-och mah-eel tay-ohl-ohcheen gohs-eh sahn-dah)

Marital Status

• Are you married? 결혼하셨나요? (gyohl-hone-hah-shyohs-nigh-oh)
• Yes, I’ve been married for a decade. 예, 저는 결혼한 지 십 년이 되었습니다.  (yeh, cheo-neuhn gyol-hone-han chee seeb neon-ee doh-ee-ohs-euhb-nee-dah)
• Yes, I’m a newlywed. 네 저는 신혼입니다 (ne, cheo-neuhn seen-hone-eeb-nee-dah)
• No, I’m single. 아니, 난 하나입니다 (anee, nahn hah-nahb-nee-dah)
• No, I’m divorced. 아니요, 이혼했어요 (anee-yoh, ee-hone-hay-ss-oh-yo)

Children? Yes or No

• Do you have children? 자녀 있어요 (chan-yoh ees-oh-yo)
• Yes, I’m pregnant with my first child. 예, 첫 아이를 임신했습니다 (ye, cheos aye-leuhl eem-seen-hay-sseuhb-nee-dah)
• Yes, I have three children. 예, 저는 세 자녀가 있습니다 (ye, chonen she chan-yoh-gkah eeseuhb-nee-dah)
• No, I have no children. 아니요, 저는 자녀가 없습니다 (anee-yoh, cheonen chan-yogah ohbs-seuhb-nee-dah)

Pets? Yes or No

• Do you have any pets? 당신은 어떤 애완 동물을해야합니까? (dang-seen-euhn oh-tayohn aye-wahn dong-moul-euhl-hay-yah-hahb-nee-kah)
• Yes I have a cat. 네 저는 고양이가 있어요 (ne chonen goyang-eekah ees-oh-yo)
• Yes, I have a dog. 네 저는 개가 있어요 (ne chonen gay-gah ees-oh-yo)
• Yes, I have some fish. 네, 물고기가 좀 있어요 (ne, moul-gkogk-eegah chom ees-oh-yo)
• Yes, I have two birds. 그래 나에게는 두 마리의 새가 있다 (geuhl-aye nah-egg-en-en doo mah-lee-wee say-gah ees-dah)
• No, I don’t have a pet. 아니요, 저는 애완동물이 없습니다 (anee-yoh, chonen aye-wahn-dong-moul-ee ohbs-seuhb-nee-dah)

Addressing Other People

Of course, when you have a conversation with someone, you aren’t only going to talk about yourself. You’ll want to be able to address other people and ask them similar questions. Here is where speech levels and honorifics truly come into play.

First, you’ll never address someone as “you” or by their first name, especially upon first meeting. You will always employ the appropriate honorific to address an individual based on their age and social position.

However, honorifics are a huge topic that includes verbs and nouns. Newcomers should begin learning these from the start. But, for the sake of this discussion, you address them by their family role, company title or you add a suffix to their name or title. The titles below are the most common:

There are several characters added at the end of names and titles to indicate additional honorifics if not already attached to the person when addressing them. You simply add them at the end of any name or word such as “driver” or “doorman” and etc.

For the last example above, the difference will depend on the presence of a consonant or a vowel. If the name has a vowel, you will use 수야 (soo-yah). When a consonant is at the end of their name, you will use 민아 (meena). 

While each section here has its own grammatical rules, this is the basic overview of how to introduce yourself in Korean. Therefore, it’s imperative you familiarize yourself with as many nouns, verbs and numbers as you can to be able to speak accurately about yourself.

Also, always remember there’s a formal, semi-formal and, sometimes, informal way to speak to someone based on their age and social seniority. However, using the semi-formal will be the most common in your dealings with the public and meeting new people.

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Lesson 11: Self-introduction in Korean

Ever daydreamed about landing in the bustling streets of Seoul, bumping into a K-pop idol, and introducing yourself with such finesse that they instantly want to be BFFs? (No? Just me? Okay, moving on! 😜)

Whether you’re dreaming of dazzling celeb encounters, making friends at a local 노래방 (karaoke room), or simply aiming to strike up a convo with a kind Korean soul, knowing how to introduce yourself is the ticket in!

Today’s lesson is your backstage pass to creating memorable introductions in Korean. We’ll equip you with the phrases, flair, and perhaps a touch of finesse that’ll make your self-introduction sound like sweet K-pop to the ears!

Ready to roll out your Korean red carpet and make an entrance that’ll be remembered? Let’s get this introduction party started! 🚀🎊

Basic vocabulary and phrases

Introducing yourself in any language requires a grasp of some fundamental phrases. In Korean, the approach to introductions is deeply rooted in respect and formality, making certain phrases essential for first-time encounters. Let’s dive into these key vocabulary and phrases:

• Meaning: Hello
• Usage: This is a standard greeting suitable for most situations. It’s polite, so you can use it with strangers, in professional settings, and even with acquaintances.
• Meaning: My name is…
• Usage: When introducing your name to someone. Replace the “…” with your name. For example, if your name is Alex, you’d say, “제 이름은 Alex이에요.”
• Meaning: Nice to meet you.
• Usage: This phrase follows after mentioning your name. It’s a polite way to express your pleasure at meeting someone.
• Meaning: I am… years old.
• Usage: Sharing your age. In Korean culture, age is significant because it determines how individuals relate to one another. Replace the “…” with your age. For instance, if you’re 25, you’d say, “저는 25살이에요.”
• Meaning: Thank you.
• Usage: It’s always a good idea to pepper your conversation with politeness. If someone helps you out or listens to your introduction, offering thanks can be a nice touch.
• Meaning: Please take care of it/I ask for your favor.
• Usage: This phrase can be used at the end of your introduction, especially in work-related settings or when you’ll be collaborating or interacting further with the person you’re talking to.

Mastering these basic phrases will not only help you introduce yourself effectively but also navigate many daily interactions in Korean. Always remember to pronounce them with confidence, and you’ll be making a stellar impression in no time!

Nationality and languages

When talking about nationality, Koreans often want to know where you’re from, especially if you’re a foreigner. This helps them adjust their conversation style, gauge mutual interests, and show genuine curiosity.

• Meaning: I am from [country].
• Usage: Insert the name of your country in [country]. For example, “저는 미국 사람이에요” means “I am from the USA.”
• Meaning: I come from [country].
• Usage: A more relaxed way of mentioning your origin, especially among peers or in casual conversations.
• Meaning: Can you speak Korean?
• Usage: Asking someone if they are able to converse in Korean.
• Meaning: I can speak [language].
• Usage: Mentioning a language you can speak. For example, “저는 영어 할 수 있어요” means “I can speak English.”
• Meaning: How did you learn [language]?
• Usage: Curious about someone’s language-learning journey? This is the question to ask!
• Meaning: I speak a little [language].
• Usage: If you know a language but aren’t fluent, this is a humble way to express it.

Cultural Note: Koreans generally appreciate it when foreigners make an effort to learn their language. Even if you speak just a bit of Korean, using it in conversations can earn you admiration and respect. Similarly, showing interest in someone’s nationality or the languages they speak can be a great conversation starter, paving the way for deeper cultural exchanges. Always approach these topics with respect and genuine curiosity.

Occupation is a common topic of conversation when meeting someone for the first time, and it’s no different in Korea. Knowing how to discuss your job or ask about others’ professions will help you navigate social situations and build connections.

Asking About Someone’s Occupation

• Meaning: What is your job?
• Usage: This is a direct way to inquire about someone’s profession in a more casual setting.
• Meaning: What kind of work do you do?
• Usage: A more formal and polite way to ask about someone’s job.

Talking About Your Own Occupation

To talk about your own job, you can structure your sentence like this:

• Meaning: I am a/an [job].
• Usage: Replace [job] with your profession. For example, “저는 선생님 해요” means “I am a teacher.”

Here are some common job titles in Korean:

• Teacher: 선생님 (Seonsaengnim)
• Doctor: 의사 (Uisa)
• Engineer: 엔지니어 (Enjinieo)
• Student: 학생 (Haksaeng)
• Lawyer: 변호사 (Byeonhosa)
• Businessperson: 사업가 (Sa-eopga)
• Artist: 예술가 (Yesulga)

If you want to provide more details or context:

• Meaning: I work as a/an [job] at [company].
• Usage: Share where you work along with your job title. For instance, “저는 Samsung에서 엔지니어로 일해요” means “I work as an engineer at Samsung.”

Cultural Note: When discussing jobs in Korea, be aware that the social hierarchy is important. Respect towards someone might be influenced by their age or profession. As such, when speaking with elders or those in higher professional positions, it’s a good practice to use humble language and honorifics. It’s also common for people to ask about your occupation soon after meeting you, as it’s a standard topic of conversation and helps establish the context of the relationship.

Engaging in conversations about hobbies is a delightful way to get to know someone and find common interests. Koreans, just like people from other cultures, have a variety of hobbies and enjoy discussing them. Here’s how you can effectively navigate conversations about leisure activities in Korean:

Asking About Someone’s Hobbies

• Meaning: What is your hobby?
• Usage: A straightforward way to inquire about someone’s hobbies in a casual context.
• Meaning: What do you like to do?
• Usage: This is a more general way to ask about someone’s preferences, which could include hobbies.

Sharing Your Own Hobbies

To introduce your hobbies, you can use:

• Meaning: My hobby is [hobby].
• Usage: Replace [hobby] with your leisure activity. For instance, “제 취미는 조깅이에요” means “My hobby is jogging.”

Here are some common hobbies and how to say them in Korean:

• Reading: 독서 (Dok-seo)
• Listening to music: 음악 듣기 (Eumak deutgi)
• Watching movies: 영화 보기 (Yeonghwa bogi)
• Traveling: 여행하기 (Yeohaenghagi)
• Cooking: 요리하기 (Yorihagi)
• Dancing: 춤추기 (Chumchugi)
• Playing an instrument: [Instrument] 치기 ([Instrument] chigi). E.g., 피아노 치기 (Piano chigi) for playing the piano.

Cultural Note: Sharing hobbies and interests is a popular way to break the ice and forge connections in Korean culture. It’s seen as a pleasant topic that most are comfortable discussing. If you have unique hobbies, sharing them can be an excellent way to make an impression and spark an engaging conversation!

Look at you, all prepped to introduce yourself with flair and finesse in Korean! 😎 The next time you find yourself in a room with new faces in Seoul, Busan, or even at your local K-drama fan meet-up, just remember: it’s your time to shine… and possibly get some approving nods and applause. 👏

But just between us: even if you mess up, the secret is to own it! Koreans will love you for trying, and let’s be honest, who doesn’t love someone who can laugh at their own mistake and say: “Oops! Still learning, but at least I didn’t introduce myself as a kimchi instead of Kim Ji-hoon, right?” 😂

Keep practicing, keep laughing, and remember: language is about connection, not perfection. Until next time, 자기 소개 스타! (jagi sogae seuta!) – Self-introduction Star! 🌟🎤

My name is Sonia and I have been watching Kdramas and learning the Korean Language since 2009 and still haven't gotten bored of it at all! At first, I fell in love with the dramas but soon enough I fell in love with Korean language and Korean culture.

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Introducing Yourself in Korean

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If you’ve decided to start learning Korean, then learning how to introduce yourself in Korean should be the first step in your learning journey.

In many ways, the phrases we use to introduce ourselves are similar to other languages. However, there are also certain unique phrases we use in Korean, and when you introduce yourself in Korean, it’s important to use appropriate phrases to show the right level of formality and politeness to different people.

In this article, we will go through all these things and more so that the next time you meet a Korean person, you are ready to introduce yourself in Korean.

Introduce yourself in Korean like a native speaker

From greetings to gestures, you’ll soon introduce yourself easily like a native Korean speaker via Busuu’s free online courses and learning resources!

In Korea, first meetings are usually quite formal. We tend to use more formal and respectful language with people we are not familiar with, so a basic understanding of different speech levels is important.

In Korean, there are various speech levels, but in modern Korean, three speech levels are commonly used:

• Formal: This speech level is very formal and is used to express the highest level of respect and politeness. It is most commonly used in formal settings and more often used by the older generation.
• Polite: This speech level is not formal, but it still expresses politeness. It is the most commonly used speech level in everyday life, and it is used by people of all ages.
• Casual: This speech level is very casual, and it’s mainly used with close friends and close family members, typically with siblings. This speech level is not used when meeting people for the first time.

When we meet people for the first time, we can use both formal and polite speech levels. In more formal settings, or when we speak to people with a higher level of seniority, it’s more appropriate to use the formal form. In less formal settings, and when we speak to people of similar age or level, we can use the polite speech level.

In many situations, you can use either form, and whether you use one or the other depends on how formal and respectful you want to be. As we go through the key phrases used to introduce ourselves, we will show both the formal and polite forms.

But first, let’s discuss the correct body language to use in a basic Korean introduction.

Bowing is a big part of Korean greetings . As we say hello, it’s important to bow to be polite and respectful. If the other person is much older than you, then you should be prepared to bend your back about 45 to 60 degrees and bow. If the other person is of similar age, then you can just tilt your head down slightly and bow.

Handshakes are becoming more common in Korea. When we shake hands, if the other person is much older, then we should do a two-handed handshake. If not, then you can just use one hand. It’s also quite common to shake hands and bow at the same time, especially in more formal settings.

What to avoid

Excessive physical contact should be avoided at all times. Koreans don’t hug at first meeting, and kissing on the cheek is a definite no-no. Close friends might hug as they greet, but there is no hugging at the first meeting – you might unintentionally give the wrong impression.

Now that you understand the right gestures to use, it’s time to learn the appropriate words and phrases you need when introducing yourself in Korean.

안녕하세요. [An-nyeong-ha-se-yo.]

안녕하세요 is the formal and polite form of hello, and this is what we say when we meet people for the first time. As mentioned already, as you say 안녕하세요, you should bow to be respectful.

“It’s nice to meet you.” (1)

• Formal: 만나서 반갑습니다. [Man-na-seo ban-gap-seum-ni-da.]
• Polite: 만나서 반가워요. [Man-na-seo ban-ga-wo-yo.]

This phrase literally means “I’m pleased to see you,” so we use this phrase to say “It’s nice to meet you.”

“It’s nice to meet you.” (2)

처음 뵙겠습니다. [Cheo-eum boep-get-seum-ni-da]

This is another phrase we use as an “It’s nice to meet you.” This phrase literally translates to “I’m meeting you for the first time,” and it’s more often used in formal settings, so it’s only used in formal form.

“Please be kind to me.”

잘 부탁드립니다. [Jal bu-tak-deu-rim-ni-da]

It’s difficult to translate this phrase and the literal translation won’t make much sense either, but it kind of means, “I request you to be good.”

We often use this phrase at the end of our introductions. So after we have greeted the other person and have told them our name and other relevant details, we say this phrase to ask the person for their understanding and kindness. It’s a way of expressing our desire to form a good relationship with the other person.

This phrase is more commonly used when we join a new place, such as a workplace or school.

Giving your name

Let’s now take a look at how we can tell people our name and ask for theirs.

“I am Minsu Kim.”

• Formal: 저는 김민수입니다. [Jeo-neun Kim Minsu-im-ni-da.]
• Polite: 저는 김민수예요. [Jeo-neun Kim Minsu-ye-yo.]

The key structure is 저는… 입니다 (I am…), and we often use this phrase to introduce ourselves, but we can use this phrase in many other situations as well.

When Koreans introduce themselves, they tend to say their full name. So in the name 김민수, 김 is the family name, and 민수 is the first name. However, if you are a non-Korean, then you can just introduce yourself with your first name only.

“What’s your name?”

• Formal: 성함이 어떻게 되세요? [Seong-ham-i eo-tteo-ke doe-se-yo?]
• Polite: 이름이 뭐예요? [I-reum-i mwo-ye-yo?]

In Korean, there are two words for name: 성함 and 이름. 성함 is formal and 이름 is the standard word.

When you meet someone for the first time, if the other person is much older or has greater seniority, then you should use the formal phrase to ask their name. However, if you are in a less formal situation such as a birthday party, or if you are in your late teens or early twenties, then it’s more appropriate to ask “이름이 뭐예요?”

Both 어떻게 되세요 and 뭐예요 mean “What is (something)?”

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Talking about age

Asking someone’s age at your first meeting may not be the norm in other cultures. However, in Korea, it is often one of the first things we ask when we meet people for the first time. This is because social hierarchy is based on age, so if we are not sure whether the other person is older or younger than us, then it’s important to find out so we can address them appropriately.

Having said that, if the other person is clearly 10 or 20 years older, then it’s not important to ask the other person’s age – in fact, asking the other person’s age may come across quite rude if they are much older than you.

“How old are you?”

• Formal: 나이가 어떻게 되세요? [Na-i-ga Eo-tteo-ke Dwe-se-yo?]
• Polite: 몇 살이에요? [Myeot sa-ri-e-yo?]

How we use these formal and polite expressions is the same as the way we ask someone’s name. 나이 is the standard word for age, and we use this word with 어떻게 되세요 to ask someone’s age in a formal and respectful way.

몇 means ‘how many,’ and 살 is the counter word for age. In less formal situations, we can say “몇 살이에요?” to ask someone’s age.

“I am 24 years old.”

• Formal: 저는 스물네 살입니다. [Jeo-neun seu-mul-ne sa-rim-ni-da.]
• Polite: 저는 스물네 살이에요. [Jeo-neun seu-mul-ne sa-rim-ni-da.]

The structure of these statements is the same as the sentences we use to say our name – 저는…. 입니다/이에요. When we say our age, we use the native Korean number to say our age. In the above phrases, 스물네 is the shortened form of 스물넷, which means 24.

Talking about where you’re from

In Korean, there isn’t one fixed way of telling people where we are from. We sometimes tell people our nationality to tell them where we are from, but we can also say where we have come from.

“I am an American.”

• Formal: 저는 미국 사람입니다. [Jeo-neun mi-guk sa-ram-im-ni-da.]
• Polite: 저는 미국 사람이에요. [Jeo-neun mi-guk sa-ram-i-e-yo.]

In these phrases, 사람 means ‘a person,’ and since 미국 means ‘USA,’ 미국 사람 means ‘an American person’ or ‘an American.’

In Korean, most country names are the same as in English , but we say the names phonetically in Korean. So Canada is 캐나다 [Kae-na-da], and Mexico is 멕시코 [Mek-si-ko]. However, some country names are completely different in Korean, as seen in the table below.

Country names in Korean

“I am from America.”

• Formal: 저는 미국에서 왔습니다. [Jeo-neun mi-gu-ge-seo wa-sseum-ni-da.]
• Polite: 저는 미국에서 왔어요. [Jeo-neun mi-gu-ge-seo wa-sseo-yo.]

In these phrases, 에서 means ‘from,’ and 왔습니다 or 왔어요 is the past form of 오다, which means ‘to come.’ Put together, these phrases literally mean “I came from the US.”

Talking about our jobs

Once the introductions are out of the way, the conversation may move on to talking about jobs.

“What do you do?”

• Formal: 무슨 일 하세요? [Mu-seun il-ha-se-yo?]
• Polite: 직업이 뭐예요? [Ji-geo-bi mwo-ye-yo?]

In the formal phrase, 무슨 means ‘what,’ 일 means ‘work,’ and 하세요 uses the verb 하다 meaning ‘to do,’ so this formal phrase literally means “What work do you do?”

In the polite phrase, 직업 means ‘job,’ and since 뭐예요 means ‘what is,’ 직업이 뭐예요 means “What is your job?”

“I am a teacher.”

• Formal: 저는 선생님입니다. [Jeo-neun seon-saeng-nim-im-ni-da.]
• Polite: 저는 선생님이에요. [Jeo-neun seon-saeng-nim-i-e-yo.]

We’ve already seen this sentence (저는… 입니다) before. In this example, the word 선생님 means ‘a teacher.’

Example sentences with different jobs

Introducing yourself is one of the first things you should learn in a foreign language, and it’s no different when it comes to Korean.

When you introduce yourself in Korean, you need to learn how to say hello and how to talk about things like your name, age and job. However, it’s important to keep in mind the appropriate level of formality to use for the situation and the person you are speaking with.

Now that you know how to introduce yourself in Korean, it’s important to practice what you have learned, and there is no better place to share your knowledge than with the millions of other language learners on the Busuu app.

Don’t stop now… continue learning more Korean!

This is just the beginning of your Korean learning journey! Go ahead and continue learning more Korean via Busuu’s free online courses and learning resources today.

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How do I introduce myself in Korean?

Introduction.

Introduce the topic of the article and explain why it is important to learn how to introduce oneself in Korean.

The Basics of Korean Introductions

Explain the basic structure of a Korean introduction, including the greeting and the self-introduction.

Formal vs. Informal Introductions

Describe the differences between formal and informal introductions in Korean, and when each should be used.

Vocabulary for Introducing Yourself in Korean

Provide a list of essential vocabulary words and phrases for introducing oneself in Korean, including common greetings, names, and occupations.

Pronunciation Tips for Korean Introductions

Offer tips for proper pronunciation when introducing oneself in Korean, including common mispronunciations to avoid.

Cultural Considerations When Introducing Yourself in Korean

Explain how cultural norms and customs influence introductions in Korea, including appropriate levels of politeness and respect.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Introducing Yourself in Korean

List common mistakes that non-native speakers make when introducing themselves in Korean, such as using incorrect grammar or vocabulary.

Sample Dialogues for Introducing Yourself in Korean

Provide several sample dialogues that illustrate how to introduce oneself in different situations, such as at work or at a social event.

Practice Exercises for Introducing Yourself in Korean

Offer practice exercises to help learners improve their proficiency at introducing themselves in Korean, such as role-playing exercises or writing practice.

Additional Resources for Learning Korean Introductions

Provide a list of additional resources for learners who want to improve their skills at introducing themselves in Korean, such as online tutorials or language exchange programs.

Summarize the key points of the article and reinforce the importance of learning how to introduce oneself in Korean.

Include a list of references cited in the article, such as books or articles about Korean language and culture.

How can I introduce myself in Korean naturally?

To introduce yourself in Korean, say “je ireumeun” followed by your preferred name and then “imnida”. You can use your first or last name, but keep in mind that Koreans usually refer to each other by their surnames unless they have a close relationship.

What does Imnida mean?

“To be” in Korean can be expressed as the combination of the words “sal” (age) and “imnida” (to be). For instance, a person who is 21 years old would say “저는 스물한살입니다.”

How do you say my name in Korean introduction?

I go by the name of (name). This is a polite and formal way of introducing oneself and means that the speaker is sharing their name.

What is a typical Korean introduction?

In Korean, there are two common ways to introduce oneself depending on the context, formal or semi-formal. The phrase “Annyeonghaseyo” is commonly used in both situations, while “cheoeum boepgesseumnida” is reserved for more formal occasions and translates to “see you for the first time”.

How do Koreans greet themselves?

When Koreans meet someone, they say “안녕하세요 [an nyeong ha seyo]” while bowing slightly. This greeting can be used to say “Hello,” “Hi,” or “Good morning/afternoon/evening.”

What is Animida in Korean?

The word “anida” translates to “not” and is modified to “anieyo” or “animnida” when used in formal speech. When used informally, “anida” becomes “aniya.”

Strategies for Successful Korean Introductions

Apart from the vocabulary and grammar, it is essential to have an appropriate attitude when introducing yourself in Korean. One of the best strategies is to show interest in the person you are meeting. Koreans value social harmony and respect, so asking about their well-being and showing interest in their culture will make a great impression. Also, it is crucial to maintain eye contact and use appropriate body language to convey friendliness and respect.

Introducing Yourself in Business Situations

Introducing yourself in business situations in Korea requires a higher level of formality than casual settings. It is essential to address the person with their title and last name. It is also appropriate to bow slightly while introducing yourself. Using formal language shows respect and demonstrates your understanding of Korean cultural norms.

Introducing Yourself in Social Settings

In social settings, introductions can be less formal, but it is still essential to show respect. Using casual language and speaking informally can be acceptable, but it is better to err on the side of caution and start with formal language until the other person invites a more casual tone. In social settings, Koreans often ask about your age, which helps establish hierarchy within a group.

Using Honorifics and Titles

Titles such as “oppa” or “unnie” are used to describe someone older than you or someone you are close to. The use of these titles shows respect and acknowledges the social hierarchy in Korean culture. Honorifics such as “-nim” or “-ssi” are added to names based on the relationship between people, and they demonstrate respect for that person.

Learning how to introduce yourself in Korean is an essential step towards building relationships with Koreans, both socially and professionally. Understanding the cultural norms surrounding introductions, using the appropriate vocabulary and grammar, and showing respect and interest are key to successful introductions. With practice and an open mind, anyone can master the art of introducing themselves in Korean.

Related posts:

• What is South Korea popular for?
• What is a normal Korean dinner?
• What is the most common job in South Korea?
• Can foreigners open a bank account in South Korea?

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Basic self-introduction in Korean - phrases, words, and tips

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Self-introduction in your first language is easy, but doing it in a foreign language can be daunting. If you just started learning Korean, this post is perfect for you because today we will be learning how to do a self-introduction in Korean.

I will be teaching you some basic phrases and words, along with some tips that will make every Korean you meet say, “한국어를 잘 하시네요!” (hangugoreul jal hasineyo) i.e. “You speak Korean well!”

Considering that we usually do self-introductions when meeting new people, we will be using mostly polite or formal Korean speech. You might know, it’s very important to get the speech levels in Korean correct. We don’t want to be disrespectful during our first interactions, right?

I’ve made this summary chart here so you can get what you’re looking for. Read on to get all the details, and context for each expression.

First Greeting

If you are meeting someone for the first time, don’t forget your first greeting before you start introducing yourself. In polite Korean, you can say:

안녕하세요? (annyonghaseyo)

which literally translates to, “Have you been well?” This is the Korean equivalent to our standard ‘hello’ greeting. If you happen to be in a formal situation, you can say:

안녕하십니까? (annyonghasimnikka)

In Korea, it is a common gesture to bow when greeting each other. You don’t have to do a full-on 90 degrees bow; that’s usually too much for most situations. Just a gentle 15 degrees bow or a slight nod of the head should suffice.

Also, don’t be surprised if someone extends their hand for a handshake. Just remember to shake with your right hand and your left hand supporting underneath, as if you are offering your hand to the other person. Add a bow for an extra dose of respect.

In return, the person you are greeting will probably greet you the same way as you did.

If you want to learn other ways of saying ‘hello’ in Korean, you can refer to this post here .

“Glad to meet you!”

After your first greeting, you may want to say something like, “Glad to meet you,” before you introduce your name. While that is fine, I usually skip this part. But if you really mean it, you can say it by all means.

If you are meeting someone in person, you can say:

만나서 반가워요. (mannaso bangawoyo) Pleased to meet you. (polite)

만나서 반갑습니다. (choeum bwepkketsseumnida) Pleased to meet you. (formal)

You can use the above two phrases on someone you already know since both phrases express gladness in being able to meet that person, whether for the first time or not.

You may also have heard of another Korean phrase:

처음 뵙겠습니다. (choeum bwepkketsseumnida) Pleased to meet you for the first time. (formal)

You should use the above phrase for formal settings, like during business meetings etc. Also, 처음 (choeum) means ‘first time’ so it is used when meeting someone for the very first time.

“What is your name?”

This is when your self-introduction really starts: introducing your name. Before we learn how to introduce our names in Korean, it is equally important to learn the phrase, “What is your name?” in Korean to make things more conversational.

이름이 어떻게 되세요? (ireumi ottoke dweseyo) What is your name? (polite)

성함이 어떻게 되세요? (songhami ottoke dweseyo) What is your name? (formal)

The two phrases above may be a bit much to remember. If you cannot remember them well, then just remember these two key words: 이름 (ireum) and 성함 (songham). Both words mean ‘name’, just that 성함 (songham) is the honorific form of 이름 (ireum).

So if you hear any of the two keywords being mentioned as part of a question directed to you, the likelihood of them asking for your name is high. And to that question, you can answer:

제 이름은 ____예요/이에요. (je ireumeun ____yeyo/ieyo) My name is____. (polite)

제 이름은 ____입니다. (je ireumeun jeieyo) My name is____. (formal)

All you need to do now is to fill in the blank with your name. So, if I were to introduce myself to you, I would say:

제 이름은 제이예요. (je ireumeun jeieyo) My name is Jay. (polite)

제 이름은 제이입니다. (je ireumeun jeiimnida) My name is Jay. (formal)

You have gone from memorising phrases to being able to form personalised sentences on your own. Great job! The person that you have been introducing yourself to should be pretty impressed by now. That person may say something like this to you in return:

한국어를 잘 하시네요! (hangugoreul jal hasineyo) You speak Korean well!

Yes, it’s the phrase that you saw in the introduction of this post and yes, you will hear this phrase a lot if you can speak Korean (even if it’s just saying ‘hello’ and your name in Korean).

Koreans appreciate it when non-Koreans take the effort to learn their language. They are not stingy with their praises so if someone praises your Korean language skills, accept humbly and say a simple ‘thank you’ in Korean .

“How old are you?”

Some say that age is a sensitive topic so many approach it with caution. But in Korean culture, it is actually important to know someone’s age because it will determine whether you will need to use honorifics when speaking with that person.

So, you may be asked:

나이가 어떻게 되세요? (naiga ottoke dweseyo) How old are you? (polite)

몇 살이세요? (myot sariseyo) How old are you? (polite)

Let’s approach these two phrases the same way as before when we were learning how to ask for a person’s name. If you cannot remember them well, then just remember these two keywords: 나이 (nai) and 살 (sal)

So if you hear any of the two keywords being mentioned as part of question directed to you when you are doing your self-introduction, you can pretty much get ready to reply with your age:

저는 ____살이에요. (joneun ____sarieyo) I am ____ years old. (polite)

저는 ____살입니다. (joneun ____sarimnida) I am ____ years old. (formal)

Now, you will need to fill in the blank with your age. To do that, you will need to know Native Korean Numbers. To really master it, you will need to do some memorisation but to keep things simple, you just need to remember your own age.

Let’s learn how to use the table above to find out our age in Native Korean Numbers. Since we will be using the numbers with the word 살 (sal) which means ‘years old’, you will need to look at the rightmost column as reference.

E.g. If you are ‘20 years old’, then you are 스무 살 (seumu sal).

Let’s go up higher up the age table. If you are ‘25 years old’, then you are ‘twenty-five years old’ in English. Now, translate each word directly to Korean and you are 스물다섯 살 (soreundasot sal). Take note though, that only 20 is pronounced as 스무 (seumu).

If your age has a 1, 2, 3, or 4 in the ones place, you will need to say 한 (han), 두 (du), 세 (se), or 네 (ne) before the word 살 (sal).

E.g. 서른한 살 (soreunhan sal) - 31 years old

So, putting everything we have learnt together, if you are 45 years old, how can you say, “I am 45 years old,” in Korean?

저는 마흔다섯 살이에요. (joneun maheundasot sarieyo) I am 45 years old. (polite)

저는 마흔다섯 살입니다. (joneun maheundasot sarimnida) I am 45 years old. (formal)

Once you have introduced your age and you managed to find out the age of the person you are talking to, you may need to use Korean honorific titles if the other person is older than you .

That’s all for age! Let’s move on and talk about which country you are from.

“Which country are you from?”

For this part, there are different ways to say which country you are from. Before we cover that, let’s learn, “Which country are you from?” in Korean first.

There are two ways that you may be asked the question. A person may ask you where you are from:

어디에서 왔어요? (odieso wassoyo) Where are you from? (polite)

To this question, the reply is actually very simple. Since the word 어디 (odi) means ‘where’, all you have to do is to replace 어디 (odi) with the country you are from. If you are from America, you can say:

미국에서 왔어요. (migugeso wassoyo) I am from America. (polite)

미국에서 왔습니다. (migugeso watsseumnida) I am from America. (formal)

Take note that you should say the above phrase only if you are outside of the country that you say you are from.

Another way you may be asked is when the person asks you about your nationality:

어느나라 사람이에요? (oneunara saramieyo)

which literally translates to, “Which country person are you?”

어느 (oneu) means ‘which’ and 나라 (nara) means ‘country’, so to reply, all you need to do is to replace 어느나라 (oneunara) with the country you are from. Assuming you are from America, you can say:

미국 사람이에요. (miguk saramieyo) I am American. (polite)

미국 사람입니다. (miguk saramimnida) I am American. (formal)

Of the two ways to introduce where you are from, the latter gives you more flexibility since it can be used in almost all kinds of situations, regardless of where you are located. You can use it while texting as well.

Here are some countries and their names in Korean:

캐나다 (kaenada) - Canada

필리핀 (pilripin) - Philippines

인도 (indo) - India

인도네시아 (indonesia) - Indonesia

스페인 (seupein) - Spain

싱가포르 (singgaporeu) - Singapore

베트남 (beteunam) - Vietnam

미국 (miguk) - United States

브라질 (beurajil) - Brazil

터키 (toki) - Turkey

이집트 (ijipteu) - Egypt

이란 (iran) - Iran

한국 (hanguk) - South Korea

중국 (jungguk) - China

“What is your occupation?”

When being asked about your occupation, you may be asked:

직업이 뭐예요? (jigobi mwoeyo) What is your occupation? (polite)

무슨 일 하세요? (museun il haseyo) What kind of work do you do? (polite)

In the examples above, the two keywords to listen out for are 직업 (jigob) which means ‘occupation’ and 일 (il) which means ‘work’.

To that, you can reply:

저는 ____예요/이에요. (joneun yeyoieyo) I am a ____. (polite)

저는 ____입니다. (joneun imnida) I am a ____. (formal)

and fill in the blank with the name of your occupation. If you work in an office as an employee, you can say:

저는 회사원이에요. (joneun hwesawonieyo) I am an office worker. (polite)

저는 회사원입니다. (joneun hwesawonimnida) I am an office worker. (formal)

Here are some examples of different occupations in Korean:

배우 (baeu) - actor

조종사 (jojongsa) - pilot

요리사 (yorisa) - chef

간호사 (ganhosa) - nurse

군인 (gunin) - soldier

변호사 (byonhosa) - attorney

의사 (uisa) - doctor

선생님 (sonsaengnim) - teacher

학생 (haksseung) - Student

Let’s say you work at Samsung. You are really proud of it and would like to share it as part of your self-introduction. You can say:

저는 삼성에 다녀요. (joneun samsonge danyoyo) I work at Samsung. (polite)

저는 삼성에 다닙니다. (joneun samsonge danimnida) I work at Samsung. (formal)

As with other examples, you can simply replace 삼성 (samsong) with any other company name or place to fit your self-introduction.

“I like K-dramas.”

One thing that you can do to add more personality to your self-introduction is to talk about what you like. If you like television dramas, you can say:

드라마를 좋아해요. (deuramareul joahaeyo) I like dramas. (polite)

드라마를 좋아합니다. (deuramareul joahamnida) I like dramas. (formal)

In the example above, 드라마 (deurama) means drama. You can replace the word with anything else that you like and it will work just as well. Just take note if the word ends with a consonant (e.g. 게임 kkeim - game), you need to use 을 (eul) instead of 를 (reul).

E.g. 게임을 좋아해요. (kkeimeul joahaeyo) I like games. (polite)

Up to this point, you should be able to give a self-introduction of your name, age, nationality, occupation, and even talk about things that you like. That is a big step toward being able to make many new Korean friends.

Yes, it may feel scary to go up to someone new and introduce yourself in a foreign language, but I promise you that it will only get easier with practice .

Would you like to help others perfect their self-introduction skills? Sign up as a Hilokal trainer here .

10 Beginner Korean Conversation Scripts and Dialogues

30 Korean Conversation Questions to Break the Ice

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Introducing yourself in Korean

“ 안녕하세요 여러분! 저는 레니에요.  선생님이에요. 필리핀 사람이에요. 반갑습니다 ! ”

Romanization : Annyeonghaseyo yeorobun! Jeoneun Leniyeyo. Seongsanegnimieyo. Pilripin saramieyo. Bankapsumnida!

Translation: Hello everyone! My name is Leni. I am an instructor. I am Filipino. Nice to meet you.

We’re taking up a familiar and distinctly Korean sound. It’s that one syllable that people produce when trying to make out a Korean accent. You’ve guessed it right, the ending -요 (yo). There’s more to it than what it seems. In this lesson, we’re taking one step closer to making sense out of that -yo . 

A few handy greetings to begin and conclude your introduction are the following:

안녕하세요 - hello

반갑습니다 - nice to meet you

안녕히 계세요 - goodbye (when you’re leaving)

안녕히 가세요 - goodbye (when you’re staying)

잘 가 - bye (informal, casual)

There are a whole bunch more greetings in Korean but what I’ve cited here are the mostly used and heard of in Korean series and sitcoms.

Korean grammar is quite easy to grasp. What can be extremely confusing are the honorifics. Korean society takes hierarchy seriously and is very much apparent in their language. This manifests in the sentence endings. 

Click to download

Honorifics are taken up at a more intermediate level. The safest word ending we will favor in these basic lessons are the informal yet polite form, those that end in -요 . Occasionally, we will also make use of the -ㅂ니다 ending. Koreans will generally appreciate these forms. These are deemed safe, neutral and polite. You get a pass as a foreigner and a thumbs up for trying to communicate in their language.

- 에요 and - 이에요, to be

In order to introduce yourself with your name, nationality or profession, the verb “to be” is a handy word. Conjugation in Korean is simple - it’s the same structure for all subject(s) (pronouns). In Korean, “to be” is either - 에요 (ye-yeo) or - 이에요 (i-ye-yeo). Nouns ending with vowels are succeeded by - 에요 while nouns ending in consonants are followed by - 이에요.

Take for instance the following sentence :

저는 레니에요. I am Leni.

The pronoun and subject marker 저는 is optional in Korean. Subjects are often implied, therefore dropped, unless needed to be highlighted. My name, Leni, in Korean is written 레니 , and ends with a vowel. Therefore, we must attach - 에요 to complete the sentence.

Pro tip: The sentence structure in Korean is (subject) - object - verb . This explains why the verb “to be” is found at the end of this sentence.

Consider the following sentence :

선생님이에요. I am a teacher.

Here, the speaker is identifying himself with his profession. However, the subject pronoun, being optional, was dropped. 선생님 (teacher) ends with a consonant. Thus, we must attach - 이에요 to complete the sentence.

Finally, let’s take a final example :

필리핀 사람이에요. I am Filipino.

In this sentence, the speaker is indicating his nationality. 필리핀 사람 is Korean for Filipino (citizen). It combines the words 필리핀 (Philippines, the country) and 사람 (person). Technically, this word is literally translated as person from the Philippines. Since 사람 ends with a consonant, it is followed by - 이에요.

There are more uses for the verb “to be” in Korean, as we will see in the succeeding modules. For now, have a try for yourself!

이름이 뭐예요? What’s your name?  어느 나라 사람이에요 ? Where are you from? 직업은 뭐예요? What is your job?

Comment below! No Korean keyboard? No problem! Use this for the meantime. Need more vocabulary? Check out these online Korean dictionaries:

https://www.wordreference.com/enko/

https://en.dict.naver.com/#/main

Koreabridge

How to Introduce Yourself in Korean

Whenever you meet a new Korean person, you’ll want to introduce yourself and at least the basics about you. So learning how to introduce yourself in Korean is one of the most important Korean lessons to learn!

How you’ll introduce yourself in Korean will vary based on the situation, we can get you started on the basics with formal and standard Korean, and you can add on your own additions as needed. Let’s start with those phrases!

Manners and Culture in Korea for Meeting New People in Korea

It’s good to go over a couple of points on the manners and culture in Korea before getting into introductions. After you’ve learned them, we’ll get started on explaining who you are in Korean!

1. Before anything else, greet them by saying 안녕하세요.

It is important in Korean culture to be polite and show your respect towards others. First impressions are everything.

2. Bow as you greet them.

3. If you shake hands, use your right hand or both hands.

Shaking hands isn’t awfully common in Korea outside of business, but they do sometimes take place in introductions. Use your right hand or both hands. You can show more respect by bowing and touching your left hand to your right or grabbing your stomach with your left hand.

4. It’s best to avoid direct eye contact with someone of higher authority in the beginning.

It can be considered rude to stare at someone in the eyes when you have only just met, make some eye contact but don’t stare them down.

5. Address them by their title or family name.

Koreans do not refer to each other by their first name unless they are close and even then they often go by ‘언니’, ‘오빠’ and so on . When you are meeting a new person use their title or family name. For a new friend, it may be okay just adding the 씨 (sshi) honorific to the name, you can always ask during self-introductions.

Basic Greetings in Korean

An essential part of any introduction is the greeting! These are the basics of what you can use, in both the formal and standard ways of saying them.

안녕하세요 (annyeong haseyo)

“It’s nice to meet you!” =

처음 뵙겠습니다 (cheoeum bwepkesseumnida)

만나서 반갑습니다 (mannaseo bangapseumnida)

“My name is…” =

제이름은 ______입니다 (je ireumeun ______imnida)

Introducing Your Age in Korean

Age makes a big difference in your interactions in Korea . You want to use more formal and polite language in introductions for people in a higher social position (your boss, your elders, etc.) and can use standard Korean with those who are the same age or younger than you.

“I am… years old” =

저는 ______살입니다 (jeoneun ______sarimnida)

저는 ______살이에요 (jeoneun ______sarieyo)

Please note that as you introduce your age, you should use the native Korean Number System. We have a complete guide for Korean numbers here . But here’s a quick refresher if you need it.

Introducing Where You Are From in Korean

Something that will often come up when you introduce yourself, your speaking partner will probably want to know where you’re from.

“I am from…” =

저는 ______에서 왔습니다 (jeoneun ______eseo wasseumnida)

저는 ______에서 왔어요 (jeoneun ______eseo wasseoyo)

Example Countries

You can fill in the blank with the country that applies to you. For more countries you can check our post about how to say “country” in Korean .

United States = 미국 (miguk)

Canada = 캐나다 (khaenada)

United Kingdom = 영국 (yeongguk)

Australia = 호주 (hoju)

The Philippines = 필리핀 (philliphin)

Singapore = 싱가폴 (singgaphol)

Introducing Your Occupation in Korean

Work is important in Korean culture and it’s likely to come up when you introduce yourself. Either during your self-introduction or as a question after you finish.

“I am a ______” =

저는 ______입니다 (jeoneun ______ imnida)

저는 ______이에요/예요 (jeoneun ______ iyeyo/yeyo)

You can use this sentence to introduce your name as well as to explain your occupation. Just replace the X with what you want to say.

Example Occupations

Student = 학생 (haksaeng)

Teacher = 선생님 (seonsaengnim)

Engineer = 엔지니어 (enjinieo)

Part-timer = 아르바이트생 (areubaiteusaeng)

Web-developer = 웹 개발자 (wep gaebalja)

Nurse = 간호사 (kanhosa)

Hairdresser = 미용사 (miyongsa)

Salesperson = 영업 사원 (yeongeob sawon)

Clerk = 사무원 (samuwon)

Conversation Topics

After the very basic questions Koreans will ask, you might want to introduce some other topics to keep the conversation going. Here are some basic sentences you can use.

“I learned Korean in…” =

저는 ______에서 한국어를 배웠습니다 (jeoneun ______eseo hangukeoreul baeweosseumnida)

저는 ______에서 한국어를 배웠어요 (jeoneun ______eseo hangukeoreul baeweosseoyo)

“I live in…” =

저는 ______에서 살고 있습니다 (jeoneun ______eseo salgo isseumnida)

저는 ______에서 살고 있어요 (jeoneun ______eseo salgo isseoyo)

“My hobby is…” =

제 취미는 ______이에요/예요 (je chwimineun ______ieyo/yeyo)

“…is one of my hobbies” =

______ 은/는 제 취미 중 하나예요 (______eun/neun je chwimi jung hanayeyo)

List of Hobbies

Reading = 독서 (dokseo)

Cooking = 요리 (yori)

Hiking = 등산 (deungsan)

Soccer = 축구 (chuggu)

Basketball = 농구 (nonggu)

Baseball = 야구 (yagu)

Piano = 피아노 (phiano)

Guitar = 기타 (githa)

Did you find today's lesson useful? How many opportunities have you already had to introduce yourself in Korean? What do you want to learn next? Let us know in the comments!

The post How to Introduce Yourself in Korean appeared first on 90 Day Korean® .

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• Feb 6, 2020

Introducing Yourself In Korean Is Easier Than You Think!

Updated: Feb 10, 2020

Introducing yourself in Korean isn´t as daunting and difficult as you may think. Once you got the basic rules down its actually pretty easy! Many of my students are pleasantly surprised after our first class together at how easy it actually is to put together a very basic but important sentence in Korean. I always tell my students when it comes to learning Korean try to make your sentences as simple as possible and you will have no problem!

So let's get straight to it! How do you introduce yourself in Korean?

The first thing you should know is that Korean sentence patterns, unlike English, are SOV (Subject + Object + Verb). Yeah, I know what you are thinking! So that means Koreans speak ¨backwards¨? Well if you compare it to English or many other Western languages; yes. In Korean, the verb goes at the end of the sentence .

Note: Koreans typically introduce themselves by saying ¨ I am_____¨

For example:

I am Nathan.

I Nathan am. ( 저는 네이뜬이에요 . )

Break down:

는 (neun): Topic marker used to describe and state facts after nouns (* These don´t exist in English)

이에요 (iaeyo): am

The Verb ¨To Be¨ In Korean

The verb ¨ to be ¨ in Korean is 이다 ( i da).

Great news! Korean does not conjugate verbs to agree with the subject. For example, I am, He is, She is, They are, etc. Nope! These don´t exist in Korean!

Verb conjugations depend upon the verb tense . Korean conjugations in Korean grammar decide the tense, tone, and mood of the speaker. Don´t worry, it's not as complicated as it sounds!

이다 in formal present tense has 3 forms which all can mean am, is, are, & it is depending on the context of the sentence.

입니다 (ibnida) usually used in official documents, news or when meeting someone for the first time. This is the highest formal version of am, is, & are.

이에요 ( iaeyo ) & 예요 ( yaeyo ) are used in everyday Korean. 이에요 ( iaeyo ) is used if the noun you are using in your sentence has a bottom consonant. 예요 ( yaeyo ) is used when there is no bottom consonant.

네이뜬이에요! ( It´s Nathan )

Nathan written in Hangul (Korean alphabet) has a bottom consonant (ㄴ) so we have to use 이에요 ( iaeyo ).

사라예요 ( It´s Sarah )

Sarah written in Hangul does not have a bottom consonant so we have to use 예요 ( yaeyo ).

Topic Markers ( 은, 는)

Topic marking particles are used to let the other people know what you are talking about, describe things, and state facts. Topic marking particles are attached after nouns.

은 (eun) is used if your noun has a bottom consonant.

는 (neun) is used if your noun does not have a bottom consonant.

Today since we are learning how to introduce ourself and talk about ourself we have to attach a topic marker to the subject of the sentence which is 저 (I)

Put It All Together

저는______예요/이에요. I am________

Jo neun_______( yaeyo )/ ( iaeyo )

저 는 사라 예요 . ( Jo neun Sarah yaeyo. )

Direct English translation: I Sarah am.

I am Hakjin.

저 는 학진 이에요 . ( Jo neun Hakjin iaeyo )

I am a student.

저는 학생 이에요. (Jo neun haksaeng iaeyo )

I am a teacher.

저는 선생님 이에요. ( Jo neun seon saeng nim iaeyo )

So now that we know how to describe ourself, how would you describe someone else using a topic marker and 이에요 ( iaeyo )/ 예요 ( yaeyo )?

사라 는 학생이에요 .

Sarah is a student .

아빠 는 미국 사람이에요 .

Dad is American .

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How to Introduce Yourself in Korean 한국어로 자기소개 하기

• February 22, 2023
• Language Learning

Is introducing yourself a worry if you’re soon going to be studying or working in Korea?

Well, don’t worry, here is a draft on how you can prep with your self-introduction script.

You would be able to introduce yourself perfectly by then!

But of course, if you're a beginner, you'll need to know how Hangul (Korean alphabet) works first .

*The ㅂ니다 form is more for written and formal form, whereas ㅂ니다 will be changed to (이에/예/어)요 at the ending for conversational and casual form.*

First of all, your name can’t be left out during a self-introduction (자기소개).

Example: “My name is XXX.“ / “I’m XXX.” 제 이름은 XXX 입니다. / 저는 XXX이 라고합니다. jae yi-reum-eun xxx ib-ni-da / jeo-neun XXX-yi ra-go-hab-ni-da

2. Where You’re From 출생지

Next, introducing where or which country you are from may be optional, but it can be added as well.

Example: “I’m from XXX.“ / “I’m (Korean).“ 저는 XX에서 왔습니다. / 저는 (한국인) 입니다. jeo-neun XX-ae-seo wass-seub-ni-da / jeo-neun (han-guk-in) ib-ni-da

3. Greetings 인사

During introductions, you would usually add some greetings to make the introduction sound better.

Example: Nice to meet you.

man-na-seo ban-gab-seub-ni-da

Aging in Korea is known to be quite important due to their formality culture.

Although there are many times where girls can be seen to say a women’s age is a secret (여자의 나이는 비밀) in K-Dramas.

Example: “I’m XX years old.”

XX-sal-yi-ae-yo

5. Occupation 직업

Another detail of yourself would be your occupation.

Occupations such as students (학생), teachers (교사), doctors (의사) and architects (건축가) are often seen in Korea.

Example: “I am a/an XXX.”

저는 XXX (이)예요.

jeo-neun XXX ib-ni-da

6. Hobby 취미

And the last thing you might want to add to check out each other's interest is what you guys like.

Many hobbies that may be noticed include music (음악), exercise (운동), vacationing (여행) and even sleeping (잠자기).

Example: “I like XX.” / “I enjoy doing XX.”

XX을/를 좋아해요. / XX(하)는 것을 좋아해요.

XX-eul/reul joh-ah-hae / XX(ha)-neun geos-eul jeul-gyeo-yo

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Articles for Learning

Introducing Yourself In Korean

Hello everyone!

This article shows Korean sentences you can use when introducing yourself in Korean. These sentences are simple but will help you succinctly state your name, age, nationality, occupation etc. Please note that the below sentences are a formal form, which is the most appropriate to use to strangers in Korea or elders. When pronounced correctly, you will sound polite and educated.

○ Hello. 안녕하세요.

○ My name is Jaden. 제 이름은 제이든 입니다.

○ I am French. 저는 프랑스인입니다.

○ I am a 21-year-old-college student. 저는 21살 대학생 입니다.

○ I have studied Korean language for three years. 한국어를 3년 공부했습니다.

○ My goal is to speak Korean fluently. 제 목표는 한국어를 유창하게 말하는 것입니다.

○ I want to visit Korea next year. 내년에 한국을 방문하고 싶습니다.

○ I like Korean food and Korean drama. 한국 음식과 한국 드라마를 좋아합니다.

○ My favorite Korean food is Kimchi. 가장 좋아하는 한국 음식은 김치 입니다.

○ My favorite Korean drama is the Full moon embracing the Sun. 가장 좋아하는 한국 드라마는 해 품은 달 입니다.

○ I was told that this drama shows many old Korean. 이 드라마에서 고어가 많이 쓰인다고 들었습니다.

○ I want to make many Korean friends. 한국 친구를 많이 사귀고 싶습니다.

picture from MBC Drama

Teaser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKkLnyT7VgA

• fluently: 유창하게
• to like: 좋아하다
• college student: 대학생
• old Korean: 고어

  I hope this article helps your studies. Please feel free to leave a comment if you have any further questions and follow our Twitter for the latest news on Korea.

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Language/Korean/Vocabulary/Introducing-Yourself

• 1 Introduction
• 2 Basic Greetings
• 3.1 Talking About Age
• 3.2 Talking About Occupation
• 3.3 Talking About Nationality
• 4 Cultural Insights
• 5 Practice Exercises
• 6 Solutions
• 7 Conclusion
• 8 Table of Contents - Korean Course - 0 to A1
• 9.1 Learn Korean - How to Introduce Yourself in Korean - YouTube
• 9.2 How to introduce yourself in Korean - YouTube
• 9.3 ALL Phrases to Introduce Yourself like a Native Korean Speaker ...
• 9.4 [KOREAN STUDY] HOW TO INTRODUCE YOURSELF IN KOREAN ...
• 9.5 Dialogue In Korean # 1 ) How to introduce yourself in Korean ...
• 11 Other Lessons

Introduction [ edit | edit source ]

In this lesson, we will learn how to introduce ourselves in Korean. Introducing yourself is an important part of communication, whether you are meeting someone for the first time or joining a new group. By learning how to introduce yourself in Korean, you will be able to make a good first impression and start conversations with native Korean speakers. We will also learn some basic personal information, such as age and occupation, which will help you have meaningful conversations with others.

This lesson is part of the "Complete 0 to A1 Korean Course," and it is designed for complete beginners. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to confidently introduce yourself in Korean and provide basic personal information. Let's get started!

Basic Greetings [ edit | edit source ]

Before we learn how to introduce ourselves, let's start with some basic greetings that you can use in different situations. Greetings are important in Korean culture, and using them shows respect and politeness. Here are a few common greetings:

• 안녕하세요? (annyeonghaseyo?) - Hello (formal)
• 안녕! (annyeong!) - Hi! (informal)
• 안녕히 계세요. (annyeonghi gyeseyo.) - Goodbye (formal)
• 안녕히 가세요. (annyeonghi gaseyo.) - Goodbye (formal, when the other person is leaving)
• 안녕히 가. (annyeonghi ga.) - Goodbye (informal, when the other person is leaving)

You can use these greetings to start a conversation or to say goodbye. Remember to use the appropriate level of formality depending on the situation and the person you are talking to. Now, let's move on to introducing yourself!

Introducing Yourself [ edit | edit source ]

When introducing yourself in Korean, it is common to start with your name. Here's how you can say "My name is [your name]" in Korean:

• 제 이름은 [your name]입니다. (Je ireumeun [your name]imnida.)

For example, if your name is John, you can say:

• 제 이름은 John입니다. (Je ireumeun Johnimnida.)

You can also use the phrase "저는 [your name]입니다" (Jeoneun [your name]imnida) to introduce yourself. This phrase literally means "I am [your name]." Here's an example:

• 저는 John입니다. (Jeoneun Johnimnida.)

After introducing your name, it is common to provide some additional information about yourself. Let's learn how to talk about age, occupation, and nationality in Korean.

Talking About Age [ edit | edit source ]

To talk about your age in Korean, you can use the phrase "제 나이는 [your age]살입니다" (Je nainun [your age]sailimnida). Here's an example:

• 제 나이는 25살입니다. (Je nainun 25sailimnida.)

If you want to ask someone about their age, you can say "몇 살이세요?" (Myeot sariseyo?), which means "How old are you?"

Talking About Occupation [ edit | edit source ]

To talk about your occupation in Korean, you can use the phrase "저는 [your occupation]입니다" (Jeoneun [your occupation]imnida). For example, if you are a student, you can say:

• 저는 학생입니다. (Jeoneun haksaengimnida.)

Here are a few common occupations in Korean:

• 학생 (haksaeng) - student
• 회사원 (hweasawon) - office worker
• 선생님 (seonsaengnim) - teacher
• 의사 (uisa) - doctor
• 변호사 (byeonhosa) - lawyer

If you want to ask someone about their occupation, you can say "직업이 뭐예요?" (Jigeobi mwoyeyo?), which means "What is your occupation?"

Talking About Nationality [ edit | edit source ]

To talk about your nationality in Korean, you can use the phrase "저는 [your nationality]입니다" (Jeoneun [your nationality]imnida). For example, if you are from the United States, you can say:

• 저는 미국인입니다. (Jeoneun migukinimnida.)

Here are a few common nationalities in Korean:

• 한국인 (hangukin) - Korean
• 미국인 (migukin) - American
• 중국인 (junggukin) - Chinese
• 일본인 (ilbonin) - Japanese
• 영국인 (yeonggukin) - British

If you want to ask someone about their nationality, you can say "어느 나라 사람이에요?" (Eoneu nara saramieyo?), which means "Which country are you from?"

Cultural Insights [ edit | edit source ]

In Korean culture, introductions are often accompanied by a bow, especially when meeting someone for the first time or in a formal setting. The depth and duration of the bow can vary depending on the level of formality and the status of the individuals involved. Bowing is a sign of respect and is deeply ingrained in Korean etiquette.

It is also common to exchange business cards during introductions in a professional setting. Business cards are usually exchanged with both hands, and it is polite to read the other person's card carefully before putting it away. This gesture shows respect and interest in the other person.

In addition to the bow and the exchange of business cards, Koreans may engage in small talk during introductions. It is common to ask about the other person's family, hometown, and occupation. Koreans value personal connections and may use these questions as a way to establish a rapport and build a relationship.

Practice Exercises [ edit | edit source ]

Now it's time to practice what you have learned. Here are a few exercises to help you solidify your understanding of introducing yourself in Korean:

Exercise 1: Introduce Yourself Write a short paragraph introducing yourself in Korean. Include your name, age, occupation, and nationality. Use the phrases and vocabulary you have learned in this lesson.

Exercise 2: Conversation Practice Imagine you are meeting someone for the first time. Write a short dialogue where you introduce yourself and ask the other person about their name, age, occupation, and nationality. Practice the dialogue with a partner or record yourself speaking.

Exercise 3: Role Play In pairs or small groups, take turns introducing yourselves to each other. Use the phrases and vocabulary you have learned in this lesson. Try to make the introductions as natural and conversational as possible.

Solutions [ edit | edit source ]

Exercise 1: Introduce Yourself Here's an example of a short paragraph introducing yourself in Korean:

저는 소연이에요. 제 나이는 30살입니다. 저는 회사원이에요. 제 국적은 한국인입니다.

Exercise 2: Conversation Practice Here's an example of a short dialogue introducing yourself and asking the other person about their name, age, occupation, and nationality:

A: 안녕하세요? 저는 소연이에요. 제 이름은 소연입니다. B: 안녕하세요, 소연씨. 저는 준호예요. 제 나이는 27살이에요. 저는 학생이에요. 제 국적은 한국인입니다. A: 반갑습니다, 준호씨.

Exercise 3: Role Play In this role play, you can take turns introducing yourselves to each other in a natural and conversational way. Practice using the phrases and vocabulary you have learned in this lesson.

Conclusion [ edit | edit source ]

Congratulations! You have learned how to introduce yourself in Korean and provide basic personal information. Introducing yourself is an important skill that will help you start conversations and make connections with native Korean speakers. Remember to use appropriate greetings and be mindful of cultural customs when introducing yourself in Korean. Keep practicing and building your vocabulary, and you'll soon be able to have meaningful conversations in Korean. 화이팅! (Hwaiting!)

Table of Contents - Korean Course - 0 to A1 [ edit source ]

• Course Presentation

Korean Alphabets

• Reading and writing Korean Alphabets
• Korean Pronunciation
• Subject and Object Markers

Greetings and Introductions

• Hello and Goodbye
• Introducing Yourself
• Family and Friends

Korean Culture and Customs

• Korean Etiquette
• Korean Holidays
• Korean Cuisine

Sentence Building

• Basic Verb Conjugation
• Question Words
• Connecting Verbs

Daily Routine

• Daily Activities
• Means of Transportation
• Weather and Seasons

Korean Pop Culture

• Korean Dramas
• Korean Music
• Korean Cinema

Describing People and Things

• Describing People
• Describing Things
• Comparatives and Superlatives

Food and Drinks

• Food and Ingredients
• Cooking and Recipes

Korean Traditions

• Korean Weddings
• Korean Festivals
• Korean Games and Sports

Verb Tenses

• Future Tense
• Progressive Tense

Travel and Sightseeing

• Travel Vocabulary
• Sightseeing Vocabulary
• Shopping Vocabulary

Korean Arts and Crafts

• Korean Calligraphy
• Korean Pottery
• Korean Paper Crafts

Conjunctions and Connectors

• Conjunctions
• Conditional Sentences

Health and Body

• Health Vocabulary
• Exercise and Fitness Vocabulary

Korean Nature

• Korean National Parks
• Korean Folk Villages
• Korean Eco-Friendly Practices

Videos [ edit | edit source ]

Learn korean - how to introduce yourself in korean - youtube [ edit | edit source ].

How to introduce yourself in Korean - YouTube [ edit | edit source ]

ALL Phrases to Introduce Yourself like a Native Korean Speaker ... [ edit | edit source ]

[KOREAN STUDY] HOW TO INTRODUCE YOURSELF IN KOREAN ... [ edit | edit source ]

Dialogue In Korean # 1 ) How to introduce yourself in Korean ... [ edit | edit source ]

Sources [ edit | edit source ]

• Introduce Yourself in Korean - How To Start A Conversation
• All the ways to introduce yourself in Korean - Go! Go! Hanguk
• An Effective #1 Guide To Introduce Yourself In Korean - Ling App

Other Lessons [ edit | edit source ]

• Feelings and Emotions

Contributors

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• Korean-Course
• 0-to-A1-Course
• Korean-0-to-A1-Course

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Free PDF Lessons & Language Resources for Beginners & Self-Learners

Phrases to Introduce Yourself in Korean Fluently (Audio Inside)

You want to introduce yourself in Korean . Good. When learning a language, it’s good to learn your own introduction.

I will give you all of the phrases below.

But, you should also listen and hear real Korean – Press play below. Try this Free Lesson from KoreanClass101.com (click here to visit) for the complete explanation about introducing yourself!

Introduce Yourself in Korean Fluently

Okay, now here’s how to introduce yourself in Korean.

1. Start with Greetings

Before we learn how to say hi, you must consider how formal you want to be. Koreans have various levels of respect depending on the person’s age, gender and seniority

Annyeong (안녕) is the casual way to greet someone in Korea. Korean people use this informal version when greeting a friend or stranger of the same age or younger.

• 안녕. (informal)

“Annyeonghaseyo” is a formal way to greet someone in Korean. This process of changing from informal to formal is simple. Formal version is just adding more words to the end of the sentence than the informal one.

• 안녕하세요. (formal)
• Annyeonghaseyo.

Did you notice what changed from the informal version?

Look! (하세요) haseyo is added after (안녕) Annyeong. Haseyo’s verb meaning “to do”. Plus, it makes the sentence sound more formal and polite. Generally, you would use this formal version with people older then you and others you wish to show respect.

2. Saying your name in Korean

After “Annoyeong,” you can now introduce your name. Let’s take a look!

You can say either na-neun (나는) or jeo-neun (저는) in Korean.

• This means “I am…”

Na-neun is informal and jeo-neun is formal. Then, you can say your name after that and the partial ya (야) placed at the end. In Korean, your name may sound different. For instance, Mathew is pronounced “maet-yu.”  So, if Koreans say your name differently, do not get surprised!

• I am …. [your name]
• 나는 [your name] 야. (informal)
• Na-neun [your name]-ya.

For example…

• I am Mathew.
• 나는 매튜야. (informal)
• Na-neun Mathew-ya.

Next, let’s replace the particle ya (야) with eyo (에요). Why? When you do this, it becomes formal. Ya (야) is informal while eyo (에요) is formal.

• I am Mathew. (formal)
• 저는 매튜에요. (formal)
• Jeo-neun Mathew- eyo.

Here is the other formal way to say your name.

• (Mathew eypnida).

By using –입니다. ending, it is formal. When you are speaking to someone who has a higher status or age, then you should use a formal version which sounds more respectful and polite.

Now you know how to say your name. You can now introduce yourself in Korean.

3. Nice to meet you in Korean

So far, you learned how to meet a person, say hi and tell then your name. Now, “Nice to meet you” in Korean is 만나서 반가워. This is informal. So, let’s look at the formal way to say nice to meet you; if yo(요) come after Banagawo, this sentence is changed to be formal just so you know.

• Nice to meet you. (informal)
• 만나서 반가워 (informal)
• Mannasuh Bhangawuh.
• Nice to meet you. (formal)
• 만나서 반가워요. (formal)
• Mannasuh Bhangawuhyo.

Also, you could use –입니다 ending of this sentence. 만나서 반갑습니다 (Mannaseo Bangapseumnida). This is quite formal.

4. I am from [place] in Korean

After greetings, you can sau where you are from or you might ask where they are from.

The question “Where are you from?” in Korean is…

• “Where are you from?”
• Eodieseo Wasseumnikka?

When someone asks you this, you can respond correctly by putting the country or city in the blank space in the example below. It is okay to say without Juhneun. Whether you do it or not, the meaning is same. Saying Juhneun is an emphasis to “I am”.

• I am from _____ .
• 저는 [country] 에서 왔어요. (formal)
• Juhneun [country] ehsuh whatsuhyo.

What if you’re from Canada, eh?

• I am from Canada .
• 저는) Canada 에서 왔어요. (formal)
• Canada 에서 왔어요. (formal)

5. How to Introduce your Profession? “I am [occupation].”

They know your name and where you are from; but what do you do for a living? Are you a student, an English teacher, a programmer, an exotic dancer or a low-level YouTube celebrity? To ask them, use the question below.

• What do you do?
• Mowsern illern hasaeyo?

6. How to answer & say: I am [occupation].

Let’s say you are a student.

• I am a student (formal)
• Na-neun haksaeng-iya

So, take the example below. In the [occupation] spot, you can put your job: student 학생 (haksaeng), English teacher 영어  선생님(yeong-eo seonsaengnim), Engineer엔지니어(enjinieo) and so on.

• I am [occupation] . (informal)
• 나는 [occupation] 이야. (informal)
• Na-neun [occupation] -iya.
• I am [occupation]. (formal)
• 저는[occupation]  이에요. (formal)
• Juhneun [occupation]-iyeyo.
• I am [occupation]. (very formal)
• 저는 [occupation] 입니다.(very formal)
• Juhneun [occupation] imnida.

7. How to ask “How old are you” in Korean

Knowing ages is important when interacting with Koreans. People decide how polite to be based on factors like job and age.  a

Try to not be offended as Koreans ask you your age or other personal questions the first time you meet. These questions may sound too personal to you. But, it’s really a way to show the proper level of respect.

For examples, they may ask: 몇 살 이에요? (How old are you?), 결혼 하셨어요? (Are you married?), 남자 친구/여자 친구 있어요? (Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend?).

Let’s look at the proper way to say your age in Korean. In newspapers, you could see the word “세” after the age, such as 23 세 . 이십삼 세 (iship-sam sae ). But, people do not use “세”  often because it sounds too formal. To the say age,  people use 살 (sal) more commonly.

Let’s practice with some examples:

Let’s say you are twenty-three years old. You would say“스물세 살 (seumool se sal ),” by using the Korean numbering system.

• I am twenty-three years old.
• 저는 스물 세살 입니다.
• Jawneun seumool sae sal imneeda.
• I am twenty years old.
• 저는 스무살 입니다.
• Jawneun seumusal imneeda
• I am thirty years old.
• 저는 서른살 입니다.
• Jawneun seumool dasawt sal imneeda

Conclusion: Now you know how to introduce yourself in Korean!

It’s as easy as saying:

Annyeong. Na-neun (your name) -ya.

Now you can speak some Korean. Done!

– PDF Jeff

P.S. If you want to speak MORE Korean, may I suggest KoreanClass101 ? Basically, you sign up and they give you audio/video lessons and teach you real conversations. Can’t say hello? You will. Can’t write Korean? You will. They have tons of lessons you can take at your pace. Very fun and easy way to learn Korean.

Click here to get a free lifetime account at KoreanClass101

i like Korean language cause its interesting.