성함
seongham[ˈsʰɘ(ː)ŋɦa̠m]
To ask for or refer to your name formally in Korean, meaning the name of someone you speak to with respect, use 성함 (seongham), the honorific word for name.
성함 is the honorific form of 이름, the ordinary word for name. In formal settings, such as business or when speaking to elders, you ask for someone's name with the full sentence 성함이 어떻게 되십니까?, which means what is your name.
Which one should you use?
Use 이름 for yourself or for people of equal or lower status, and use 성함 when you refer to someone you must show respect to.
How do you pronounce it?
성함 is romanized seongham.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often use 성함 to introduce themselves, as in 제 성함은… Never use the honorific word for your own name. Say 제 이름은 John Smith입니다, which means my name is John Smith and to give your family name formally say 제 성은 이입니다, my family name is Lee.
When do people say it?
A formal self introduction can sound like 안녕하세요, 선생님. 제 이름은 John Smith입니다. 잘 부탁드립니다, which means hello, teacher, my name is John Smith, please look after me.
Did you know?
- When asking for a name, Koreans often use the verb 'to become' (되다) in the phrase 성함이 어떻게 되십니까? This avoids the directness of 'what is your name', which can sound blunt or even rude in a hierarchical culture.
- The honorific 성함 is derived from the Chinese characters for 'family name' and 'title'. Historically, this suggests that a person's formal identity was defined not just by their name but by their official rank.
- When asking for a 성함, it is common to slightly bow your head. This physical gesture complements the linguistic honorific to signal the appropriate social distance and respect.
Examples in context
- 성함이 어떻게 되세요?seonghami eotteoke doeseyo?What is your name?
- 성함을 여쭤봐도 될까요?seonghameul yeojjweobwado doelkkayo?May I ask your name?
- 그분의 성함은 무엇입니까?geubunui seonghameun mueosimnikka?What is that person's name?
Example conversation
Dohyeon is checking in a guest at a front desk.
- 도현 Do-hyeon안녕하세요. 성함이 어떻게 되세요?annyeonghaseyo. seonghami eotteoke doeseyo?Hello. What is your name?
- 지은 Ji-eun제 이름은 지은입니다.je ireumeun jieunimnida.My name is Jieun.
- 도현 Do-hyeon지은 님, 예약 확인해 드릴게요.jieun nim, yeyak hwaginhae deurilgeyo.Ms. Jieun, I will check your reservation.
- 지은 Ji-eun네, 감사합니다.ne, gamsahamnida.Yes, thank you.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 성함, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 성함, CC BY-SA 4.0.
