안녕하세요, 이름이 뭐예요?
Annyeonghaseyo, ireumi mwoyeyo?
안녕하세요, 이름이 뭐예요? (Annyeonghaseyo, ireumi mwoyeyo?) is the Korean way to say hello what is your name.
This phrase is a polite greeting used to introduce oneself and ask for another person's name.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of a greeting followed by the subject 'name' (이름) with a subject marker (이) and the question 'what is it?' (뭐예요?).
Which one should you use?
While 안녕하세요, 이름이 뭐예요? is the standard polite version, you might use 너 이름이 뭐야? in casual settings with close friends or younger people.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase 안녕하세요, 이름이 뭐예요? is polite, as it uses the ending '-요' (-yo), making it appropriate for speaking to strangers or people older than you. For an informal greeting, you can use 안녕. In extremely formal or high-status situations, such as business settings, you should use the honorific form 성함이 어떻게 되세요?
How do you pronounce it?
Annyeonghaseyo, ireumi mwoyeyo?
Did you know?
- In Korea, asking a person's name is often preceded by asking for their age. Because Korean has complex honorific levels, knowing someone's age is necessary to decide which version of 'what is your name' is socially appropriate to use.
- The greeting 안녕하세요 literally translates to 'Are you at peace?' or 'Are you doing well?', rather than a simple 'hello'. It stems from a historical concern for one's well-being and safety.
- In very formal situations, instead of asking 'what is your name?', Koreans often use the phrase 'How is your name?', substituting 'what' (뭐) with 'how' (어떻게).
Examples in context
- 안녕하세요, 이름이 뭐예요? 처음 뵙겠습니다.annyeonghaseyo, ireumi mwoyeyo? cheoeum boepgetseumnida.Hello, what is your name? Nice to meet you.
Example conversation
Ji-eun meets Min-jun for the first time at a social gathering.
- 지은 Ji-eun안녕하세요, 이름이 뭐예요?annyeonghaseyo, ireumi mwoyeyo?Hello, what is your name?
- 민준 Min-jun제 이름은 민준이에요. 지은 씨는요?je ireumeun minjun-ieyo. jieun ssi-neunyo?My name is Min-jun. And you, Ji-eun?
- 지은 Ji-eun저는 지은이라고 해요.jeoneun jieun-irago haeyo.I am called Ji-eun.
- 민준 Min-jun만나서 반가워요, 지은 씨.mannaseo bangawoyo, jieun ssi.It is nice to meet you, Ji-eun.
