Welcome to this insightful guide on how to say “What is your name?” in Korean! Learning to ask someone’s name is one of the first steps in any language journey, and this guide will help you navigate through the formal and informal ways of asking this question in Korean. We will also provide you with tips, examples, and even some regional variations. Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
The Formal Way: “What is Your Name?”
When addressing someone formally in Korean, you use the term “ssi” (씨) after their family name to show respect. To ask “What is your name?” formally, you can say:
성함이 어떻게 되십니까? [seong-ham-i eo-tteo-ke dwae-ship-ni-kka?]
In this phrase, “성함” (seongham) means “name” and “되십니까” (dwae-ship-ni-kka) is a polite ending that makes the question more formal. If the person’s name is Park, for example, you can ask “Park 씨 성함이 어떻게 되십니까?” to inquire about their name. Remember to utilize the honorific “ssi” after the person’s family name.
The Informal Way: “What is Your Name?”
When addressing someone informally, like a friend or someone younger, you can use a simpler and more casual phrase to ask their name:
이름이 뭐야? [ireum-i mwo-ya?]
In this informal expression, “이름” (ireum) means “name” and “뭐야” (mwo-ya) is a colloquial way to say “what is.” For instance, if your friend’s name is Ji-Hoon, you can ask “지훈이 이름이 뭐야?” to inquire about their name. Remember to adopt this informal form only with people you are familiar with, as it may be considered rude or impolite in formal scenarios.
Regional Variations: Dialects Across Korea
Korean dialects can introduce variations in how questions are asked, including asking for someone’s name. While we have covered the most common ways to ask, it’s interesting to note that dialects across Korea can give these questions a unique flavor. Here are a few examples:
Busan Dialect
In Busan, one of Korea’s largest cities, the phrase “What is your name?” can take on a slightly different form:
이름이 멀고 어떄? [ireum-i meolgo eo-ttae?] (informal)
성함이 멀고 어떄세요? [seong-ham-i meolgo eo-ttae-se-yo?] (formal)
As you can see, the dialect from Busan replaces “뭐야?” (mwo-ya?) or “되십니까?” (dwae-ship-ni-kka?) with “멀고 어떄?” (meolgo eo-ttae?). These phrases are unique to the Busan dialect and may not be commonly understood by everyone in Korea.
Jeju Dialect
Jeju Island, located in the southern part of Korea, has its own dialect. Here’s how you can ask for someone’s name in the Jeju dialect:
이름이 어제? [ireum-i eo-je?] (informal)
성함이 어제요? [seong-ham-i eo-je-yo?] (formal)
The Jeju dialect replaces “뭐야?” (mwo-ya?) or “되십니까?” (dwae-ship-ni-kka?) with “어제?” (eo-je?). While Jeju dialect is charming, it might be less recognizable in other parts of Korea.
Extra Tips and Examples
Learning how to ask for someone’s name in Korean is just the beginning. Here are a few extra tips and examples to enhance your understanding:
Tips:
- Always remember to show respect by using formal language when necessary.
- Pronunciation is key in Korean. Take your time to practice and get the tones right.
- Remember to use the honorific “ssi” (씨) after the family name when addressing someone formally.
- When in doubt, use the formal expression as a sign of respect, especially with older individuals or people you’ve just met.
Examples:
- 영수 씨 이름이 어떻게 되세요? [yeong-su-ssi i-reum-i eo-tteo-ke doe-se-yo?]: What is your name, Mr. Yeong-Su?
- 지민 이름이 뭐야? [ji-min i-reum-i mwo-ya?]: What is your name, Jimin?
- 이건희 성함이 어떻게 되십니까? [i-geon-hui seong-ham-i eo-tteo-ke dwae-ship-ni-kka?]: What is your name, Mr. Geon-Hui?
Remember, practice makes perfect! Keep learning and exploring the Korean language, and you’ll soon become more confident in using it in various situations.
Happy learning and best of luck on your Korean language journey!
