우리 아버지의 성함은
uri abeoji-ui seongham-eun
The English phrase "my father's name is" is translated in Korean as 우리 아버지의 성함은 (uri abeoji-ui seongham-eun).
This phrase is used to introduce the name of one's father. While English speakers use "my" to refer to their father, Korean speakers typically use the word 우리 (uri), which means "my" or "our" in a familiar way, when speaking about family members.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "our father's name is". 우리 means "our" or "my", 의 is a particle that indicates possession and 성함은 is the polite way to say "name is".
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle 의 is used to indicate possession. In the polite version, 성함 is used to refer to a name in a respectful manner. The word 제 serves as a polite form of "my".
How do you pronounce it?
uri abeoji-ui seongham-eun
When do people say it?
When referring to family members like your father, it is culturally natural in Korean to use 우리 (uri/our) instead of the literal "my" (나의 or 제).
Did you know?
- The word 우리 (our) is so central to Korean identity that it is used for things that cannot possibly be shared, such as 우리 남편 (our husband) or 우리 아내 (our wife).
- The word 우리 (uri) is also a Sino-Korean word that can be constructed from the characters for 'ox' and 'plum'.
- The way Korean speakers refer to family through 우리 (uri) reflects a collectivist cultural mindset where the family unit is viewed as a single entity rather than a collection of individuals.
Examples in context
- 우리 아빠 이름은 현우야.My father's name is Hyunwoo.
- 아빠 이름이 준호야.My father's name is Junho.
- 우리 아버지의 성함은 김철수입니다.uri abeojiui seonghameun gim cheolsuimnida.My father's name is Kim Cheol-su.
- 우리 아버지의 성함은 박영수라고 합니다.uri abeojiui seonghameun bak yeongsurago hamnida.My father's name is Park Young-su.
Example conversation
Hyun-woo is introducing his father to Su-bin during a formal meeting.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo우리 아버지의 성함은 박민수입니다.uri abeojiui seonghameun bak minsuimnida.My father's name is Park Min-su.
- 수빈 Su-bin성함이 정말 멋지시네요.seonghami jeongmal meotjisineyo.That is a very cool name.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo감사합니다, 수빈 씨.gamsahamnida, subin ssi.Thank you, Su-bin.
- 수빈 Su-bin아버님께서도 좋아하실 거예요.abeonimkkeseodo joahasil geoyeyo.I'm sure your father will like it.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 우리, CC BY-SA 4.0.
