인명
inmyeong
The Korean phrase for "person name" is 인명 (inmyeong).
인명 refers to the name of a specific human being.
How do you pronounce it?
inmyeong
When do people say it?
The honorific suffix 씨 (ssi) is used for both genders to denote respect for colleagues, acquaintances and friends. The honorific suffix 님 (nim) is used for higher respect, such as for superiors, elders or someone deserving of great respect. The word 의사 (uisa) means doctor. The word 선생님 (seonsaengnim) means teacher.
Did you know?
- While 인명 is the formal term for a person's name, it is a homophone for the word meaning 'human life' or 'destiny', written with a different Hanja as 人命.
- When referring to a close friend or someone younger, Koreans often attach the suffix 이 to the end of a name if it ends in a consonant. This creates a sense of intimacy and affection that a standard name lacks.
- While 씨 is a common honorific for names, using it with someone of much higher social status can actually be perceived as rude or condescending. In such cases, the name is omitted and only the title is used.
Examples in context
- 선생님, 김지영입니다.Teacher, I am Kim Jiyeong.
- 안녕하세요, 김 선생님.Hello, Teacher Kim.
- 안녕, 지영!Hey, Jiyeong!
- 지영이, 괜찮아?Jiyeong, are you okay?
- 이 서류에는 인명이 적혀 있습니다.i seoryue-neun inmyeongi jeokyeo isseumnida.A person's name is written on this document.
- 인명 목록을 확인해 보았습니다.inmyeong mokrok-eul hwaginhae boasseumnida.I have checked the list of person names.
Example conversation
Minjun and Seoyeon are organizing a contact list.
- 민준 Min-jun서연 씨, 이 칸에 인명을 쓰면 되나요?Seoyeon ssi, i kan-e inmyeong-eul sseumyeon doenayo?Seoyeon, should I write the person's name in this box?
- 서연 Seo-yeon네, 거기에 인명을 정확히 적어 주세요.ne, geogiye inmyeong-eul jeonghwakhi jeogeo juseyo.Yes, please write the person's name accurately there.
- 민준 Min-jun알겠습니다. 지금 바로 입력할게요.algetseumnida. jigeum baro imryeokhalgeyo.Got it. I'll enter it right now.
- 서연 Seo-yeon감사합니다, 민준 씨.gamsahamnida, Minjun ssi.Thank you, Minjun.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 인명, CC BY-SA 4.0.
