이름
ireum[iɾɯm]
The English word "name" is translated into Korean as 이름 (ireum). Wiktionary also lists 성함 (seongham) and 명칭 (myeongching).
Meaning: word or phrase indicating a particular person, place, class or thing (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 이름 | ireum | [iɾɯm] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | |
| 성함 | seongham | [ˈsʰɘ(ː)ŋɦa̠m] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | honorific |
| 명칭 | myeongching | [mjʌ̹ŋt͡ɕʰiŋ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
A name is a word or phrase that indicates a particular person, place, class or thing. Related verbs include 이름을 짓다 or 이름을 붙이다 (to give a name to) and 지명하다 or 임명하다 (to designate for a role).
Which one should you use?
성함 is the honorific form used when referring to the name of someone older or in a higher social position. 명칭 is used for the official names of objects, institutions or technical terms rather than for people's personal names.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
성함 is a formal way to ask for someone's name in Korean.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase "What is the name?", the subject marker –이 is attached to 이름 to form 이름이.
How do you pronounce it?
ireum
When do people say it?
In Korean, the family name usually comes first, followed by the given name, as seen in 김정은 (Kim Jeong-eun).
Did you know?
- In traditional Korean culture, it was once common to give children 'ugly' or 'unlucky' names to ward off evil spirits who might want to steal a beautiful child.
- Some linguists suggest that 이름 might be a distant relative of words from the Khitan language.
- Korean adults often have a formal name for documents and a 'nickname' or 'childhood name' used by family members that they may keep for life.
Examples in context
- 그 말의 이름이 뭐야?What's the horse's name?This sentence is useful for asking for the name of a horse using 이름.Tatoeba #3681089 by Eunhee, translation #3343806 by Hybrid
- 네 고양이의 이름은 뭐야?What's your cat's name?This sentence is useful for asking for a cat's name using 이름.Tatoeba #8364961 by Eunhee, translation #3130087 by Hybrid
- 메리 남편의 이름은 뭐야?What's Mary's husband's name?This sentence is useful for asking for Mary's husband's name using 이름.Tatoeba #8396634 by Eunhee, translation #6024896 by CK
- 성함이 어떻게 되십니까?What is your name?
- 이름이 뭐야? 나는 [Your Name]이야.What is your name? I'm [Your Name].
- 성함이 어떻게 되십니까? / 김영수입니다.What is your name? / My name is Kim Young Soo.
- 이름이 뭐야? / 나는 박지영이야.What is your name? / I'm Park Ji Young.
- 40 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hyun-woo and Su-bin are talking about a new cafe.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo수빈 씨, 이 카페 이름이 뭐예요?Subin ssi, i kape ireumi mwoyeyo?Su-bin, what is the name of this cafe?
- 수빈 Su-bin'푸른 바다'라는 이름이에요.'pureun bada'raneun ireumieyo.The name is 'Blue Sea'.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo이름이 정말 예쁘네요.ireumi jeongmal yeppeuneyo.The name is really pretty.
- 수빈 Su-bin맞아요, 현우 씨도 좋아할 거예요.majayo, Hyeon-u ssi-do joahal geoyeyo.Right, I think you will like it too, Hyun-woo.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “name” translations and entries 이름, 성함, 명칭, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 명칭, 성함, 이름, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
