Guide: How to Say “My Name is” in Hangul

Are you interested in introducing yourself in Korean? Knowing how to say “My name is” in Hangul, the script used for writing Korean, is a fantastic way to start. In this guide, we will cover both formal and informal ways to say it. While there aren’t many regional variations when it comes to introducing yourself, I will provide you with helpful tips, examples, and a range of useful phrases to enhance your Korean language skills. So let’s get started!

Formal Introductions

If you want to introduce yourself formally in Korean, follow these steps:

1. First, let’s learn how to say “My name is” formally. The phrase you need to know is:
   

   제 이름은 [Your Name]입니다.

   Note: In the phrase above, replace “[Your Name]” with your actual name.

2. In formal Korean, it is essential to use the appropriate honorifics when speaking to individuals older or of higher status. Here, you can use “저” instead of “나” to mean “I” in a more formal manner. So the modified phrase will be:
   

   저는 제 이름은 [Your Name]입니다.

Informal Introductions

If you’re in a casual or informal setting, follow these steps to introduce yourself in Hangul:

1. The Korean word for “I” in informal situations is “나” (na). Start by saying “나는” (naneun), which means “I am.”
2. To say “my name is” informally, use the expression:
   

   내 이름은 [Your Name]이야.

   Note: Just like in the formal version, replace “[Your Name]” with your name.

Useful Tips and Examples

1. Pronunciation Tips

Hangul, the Korean script, is highly phonetic, making it relatively easy to read. To help you with pronunciation, keep these tips in mind:

• The Korean letter ‘ㄱ’ can sound like a combination of ‘g’ and ‘k.’ So, ‘김’ can be pronounced as ‘gim’ or ‘kim,’ depending on the speaker.
• Similarly, the letter ‘ㄷ’ can have a sound similar to ‘d’ or ‘t,’ while ‘ㅂ’ can sound like ‘b’ or ‘p.’
• Don’t forget about double consonants. Some names might have doubled characters, like ‘빛나,’ which should be pronounced as ‘bitna.’

2. Examples

Here are a few examples of how to say “My name is” in Hangul, formal and informal versions, along with their pronunciations:

• Formal: 제 이름은 [Your Name]입니다. (je ireumeun [Your Name]imnida.)
• Formal: 저는 제 이름은 [Your Name]입니다. (jeoneun je ireumeun [Your Name]imnida.)
• Informal: 나는 [Your Name]야. (naneun [Your Name]ya.)
• Informal: 내 이름은 [Your Name]이야. (nae ireumeun [Your Name]iya.)

3. Additional Phrases

As a bonus, here are a few additional phrases you can use when meeting new people in Korean:

• “반갑습니다.” (bangapseumnida) – This phrase means “Nice to meet you.”
• “어디 사세요?” (eodi saseyo?) – If you want to ask someone where they live, use this sentence.
• “한국말 잘 못해요.” (hangukmal jal mothaeyo.) – If your Korean skills are limited, you can say “I’m not good at Korean.”
• “언제 생일이에요?” (eonje saengilieyo?) – To ask someone about their birthday, say this phrase.

Learning how to introduce yourself in Korean is an excellent way to connect with others, whether in formal or informal settings. Remember to practice these phrases regularly to improve your pronunciation and fluency. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, as it’s a part of the learning process. Korean culture highly values respect, so using formal or informal versions appropriately will leave a positive impression on native speakers. Enjoy your language journey and have fun exploring the Korean language and its beautiful script, Hangul!