내 성
nae seong
The English phrase "my last name" is 내 성 (nae seong) in Korean.
This phrase refers to the family name that a person inherits from their parents.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of 내 (my) and 성 (surname/family name).
Which one should you use?
While 성 is the standard way to refer to a surname, you may encounter 성씨, which is a more formal and respectful way to refer to a family name.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In formal or polite situations, you should use 제 성 instead to show respect to the listener. Additionally, when referring to someone else's name in a polite context, the honorific term 성함 is used rather than 성.
How do you pronounce it?
nae seong
When do people say it?
In Korea, the surname is placed before the given name, such as in the example Kim Min-su.
Did you know?
- South Korea has a very small variety of surnames compared to many other countries, with just a few names like 'Kim', 'Lee' and 'Park' accounting for a huge percentage of the population.
- If you were to use the word 성 in a different context, it could also mean 'castle' or 'holy', showing how a single syllable can change meaning entirely depending on the Hanja used.
- Historically, Korean surnames were often tied to a specific clan or ancestral home, meaning two people with the same 성 might still belong to entirely different family lineages.
Examples in context
- 내 성은 김 씨예요.nae seong-eun gim ssi-ye-yo.My last name is Kim.
- 내 성을 알려줄게.nae seong-eul al-lyeo-jul-ge.I will tell you my last name.
- 내 성은 어떻게 써요?nae seong-eun eo-tteok-ke sseo-yo?How do you write my last name?
Example conversation
Subin and Jihun are filling out a form together.
- 수빈 Su-bin지훈 씨, 성함이 어떻게 되세요?jihun ssi, seonghami eotteoke doeseyo?Jihun, what is your full name?
- 지훈 Ji-hun이지훈입니다. 수빈 씨는요?ijihun-imnida. subin ssineun-yo?I am Lee Jihun. How about you, Subin?
- 수빈 Su-bin내 성은 최 씨고 이름은 수빈이에요.nae seongeun choe ssigo ireumeun subin-ieyo.My last name is Choi and my first name is Subin.
- 지훈 Ji-hun그렇군요. 반가워요, 수빈 씨.geureokunyo. bangawoyo, subin ssi.I see. Nice to meet you, Subin.
