Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 저는 …이라고 합니다 | jeo-neun …-irago hamnida | |
| 저는 …입니다 | jeo-neun …-imnida | |
| 제 이름은 …입니다 | je ireum-eun …-imnida | |
| 제 이름은 …예요 | je ireum-eun …-yeyo | |
| 제 이름은 …이에요 | je ireum-eun …-ieyo | |
| 내 이름은 …이야 | nae ireum-eun …-iya | informal |
| 내 이름은 …야 | nae ireum-eun …-ya | informal |
These phrases are used to identify yourself. In many social situations, it is very common to skip the literal phrase "my name is" and simply say "I am [Name]" using the structure 저는 …입니다.
What does it mean word for word?
In the polite forms, 제 (je) is the humble or polite way to say "my". In the informal forms, 내 (nae) is used to mean "my".
Which one should you use?
The form 저는 …이라고 합니다 translates closer to "I am called …" and is more formal and indirect than 제 이름은 …입니다. This makes it highly suitable for business introductions or when meeting elders. The forms 제 이름은 …예요 and 제 이름은 …이에요 are polite variations of "my name is [Name]".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The most formal and indirect option is 저는 …이라고 합니다, ideal for professional environments. The informal forms starting with 내, such as 내 이름은 …이야 or 내 이름은 …야, are used only with close friends or people younger than you.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the polite "my name is" structure, the ending changes based on the sound of your name: use …예요 (yeyo) if the name ends in a vowel, and use …이에요 (ieyo) if the name ends in a consonant.
How do you pronounce it?
jeo-neun …-irago hamnida
Did you know?
- In traditional Korean culture, asking someone's name directly can sometimes be seen as too blunt, so people often start by asking about a person's age or position first.
- When introducing yourself, you may omit your name and simply refer to your role or title, as the social hierarchy is often more important than an individual name.
- Depending on the social context, using the informal 내 이름은 …이야 with someone even slightly older than you can be perceived as a serious insult.
Examples in context
- 저는 민준입니다.My name is Minjun
- 민지라고 합니다.I am called Minji
- 나는 승현이야.My name is Seunghyun
- 예은이라고 해.I am called Yeeun
Sources
- Wiktionary, “my name is” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
