How to Say "Last Name" in Korean

성

seong[sʰɘ(ː)ŋ]

The Korean word for "last name" is 성 (seong).

성 is the standard term used to refer to a person's family name or surname.

Which one should you use?

While 성 refers specifically to the family name, the word 이름 is used to refer to a person's given name.

seong

In Korean names, the family name (성) is always placed before the given name (이름).

Unlike in many Western cultures, most Koreans do not change their 성 after marriage. Women typically keep their birth family name even after they marry.
In highly formal settings, Koreans may use the term 본관 to specify the ancestral hometown associated with their 성. This distinguishes people with the same last name who come from different regional clans.
The word 성 is a homonym with several other meanings in Korean, including 'castle' 城, 'saint' 聖, and 'nature' or 'gender' 性. Because they sound identical, the context of the conversation determines which one is being used.

성이 뭐죠?
What's your last name?
This sentence is useful for asking someone what their 성 is.
Tatoeba #13198936 by atitarev, translation #2072325 by CK
성은 뭐예요?
What is your last name?
Tatoeba #13198940 by atitarev, translation #2247012 by Amastan
제 성은 왕입니다.
My last name is Wang.
This sentence is useful for stating what your 성 is.
Tatoeba #13198925 by atitarev, translation #2230363 by eternica
실례지만 성을 다시 한 번 말씀해주시겠어요? 발음이 정확하게 맞는지 확인하고 싶습니다.
Excuse me, but could you please repeat your last name? I want to make sure I pronounce it correctly.
4 more sentences on Tatoeba

Hyunwoo and Seoyeon are registering for a class.

현우 Hyeon-woo

여기 성부터 적어 주세요.
yeogi seong-buteo jeogeo juseyo.
Please write your last name here first.
서연 Seo-yeon

제 성은 김이에요.
je seong-eun gim-ieyo.
My last name is Kim.
현우 Hyeon-woo

네, 이름도 같이 적어 주세요.
ne, ireum-do gachi jeogeo juseyo.
Okay, please write your first name as well.
서연 Seo-yeon

네, 알겠습니다.
ne, algetseumnida.
Yes, I understand.

Sources

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