How to Say My Name Is in Korean
Learn how to say my name is in Korean. '제 이름은 ___이에요' (je ireumeun ___ieyo) is the standard phrase. Pronunciation guide, formal vs casual forms, and examples.
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Quick answer
To say 'my name is ___' in Korean, say '제 이름은 ___이에요' (je ireumeun ___ ieyo, jeh ee-REUM-eun ___ i-eh-yo) politely, where you insert your name in the blank. A simpler, very common alternative is '저는 ___이에요/예요' (jeoneun ___ ieyo/yeyo), meaning 'I am ___'. Use '-이에요' after a consonant and '-예요' after a vowel.
제 이름은 ___이에요
/jeh ee-REUM-eun ___ i-eh-yo/ — Korean
How to Say My Name Is in Korean
Introducing yourself is one of the first things you’ll do in Korean. The phrase is simple once you learn one small grammar rule about which ending to attach to your name.
The Standard Phrase
제 이름은 ___이에요 — pronounced jeh ee-REUM-eun ___ i-eh-yo (polite)
Insert your name in the blank. Just as common — and a bit simpler — is 저는 ___이에요/예요 (“I am ___”).
Copy the Phrase
The Korean phrase for “my name is ___” is 제 이름은 ___이에요 (jeh ee-REUM-eun ___ i-eh-yo). You can also say 저는 ___이에요 (jeoneun ___ ieyo, “I am ___”).
The 이에요 vs. 예요 Rule
The ending you attach depends on whether your name ends in a consonant or a vowel:
| Name ends in… | Ending | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consonant | -이에요 (-ieyo) | 존이에요 (Jon-ieyo) | I’m John |
| Vowel | -예요 (-yeyo) | 사라예요 (Sara-yeyo) | I’m Sarah |
This rule simply keeps the words easy to pronounce. Both endings mean “is/am” in polite speech.
Formal vs. Informal
| Korean | Romanization | Use |
|---|---|---|
| 저는 ___이에요/예요 | jeoneun ___ ieyo/yeyo | Polite — everyday introductions |
| 제 이름은 ___이에요 | je ireumeun ___ ieyo | Polite — “my name is ___“ |
| 저는 ___입니다 | jeoneun ___ imnida | Formal — business, presentations |
| 제 이름은 ___입니다 | je ireumeun ___ imnida | Formal — “my name is ___“ |
| 나는 ___이야/야 | naneun ___ iya/ya | Casual — friends, younger people |
For casual speech, 저 (je/jeo, the humble “I/my”) becomes 나 (na, plain “I”), and the ending becomes -이야/야.
A Full Introduction
Put it together for a natural self-introduction:
| Korean | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 안녕하세요 | annyeonghaseyo | Hello |
| 저는 사라예요 | jeoneun Sara-yeyo | I’m Sarah |
| 만나서 반갑습니다 | mannaseo bangapseumnida | Nice to meet you (formal) |
| 잘 부탁드립니다 | jal butakdeurimnida | I look forward to working with you / please be good to me |
Asking Someone’s Name
| Korean | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 이름이 뭐예요? | ireumi mwoyeyo? | What is your name? (polite) |
| 성함이 어떻게 되세요? | seonghami eotteoke doeseyo? | May I ask your name? (honorific) |
| 이름이 뭐야? | ireumi mwoya? | What’s your name? (casual) |
Pronunciation Tips
- 제 (je) means “my” (the humble form); 저는 (jeoneun) means “I” (topic). Both use the polite/humble 저 root.
- 이름 (ireum, name) is “ee-REUM” — two even syllables.
- The polite endings -이에요/-예요 end in -요 (yo), the politeness marker you’ll hear everywhere.
Cultural Notes
When introducing yourself in Korean, a small bow is customary, especially in formal settings. The phrase 잘 부탁드립니다 (“please treat me well / I look forward to it”) often follows an introduction at work or school — it has no direct English equivalent but signals humility and goodwill. Note that Korean names traditionally put the family name first (e.g., Kim Minji), so when meeting Koreans, the first part you hear is usually the surname.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say my name is in Korean?
Say '제 이름은 ___이에요' (je ireumeun ___ ieyo), inserting your name, e.g. '제 이름은 사라예요' (my name is Sarah). Even more common is '저는 ___이에요/예요' (jeoneun ___ ieyo), literally 'I am ___'. Both are polite and natural for introductions.
How do you pronounce 제 이름은?
'제 이름은' is pronounced jeh ee-REUM-eun. '제' (je) is 'jeh', '이름' (ireum, name) is 'ee-REUM', and the topic marker '은' (eun) attaches as 'eun'. In speech it flows as 'je-i-reu-meun'. Keep the syllables even with light stress.
Should I use 이에요 or 예요 after my name?
Use '-이에요' (ieyo) when your name ends in a consonant (e.g. '존이에요', John), and '-예요' (yeyo) when it ends in a vowel (e.g. '사라예요', Sarah). This consonant/vowel rule keeps the ending easy to pronounce. Both mean 'is/am'.
What is the formal way to introduce yourself in Korean?
Formally, say '제 이름은 ___입니다' (je ireumeun ___ imnida) or '저는 ___입니다' (jeoneun ___ imnida). The ending '-입니다' (imnida) is the most formal 'am/is', used in business, presentations, and respectful introductions. Pair it with '만나서 반갑습니다' (nice to meet you).
How do you ask someone their name in Korean?
Politely, ask '이름이 뭐예요?' (ireumi mwoyeyo?, 'what is your name?'). More formally and respectfully, say '성함이 어떻게 되세요?' (seonghami eotteoke doeseyo?), which uses the honorific word '성함' for name. Casually, friends say '이름이 뭐야?' (ireumi mwoya?).