너의 이름은
neoui ireumeun
The English phrase "your name" is translated into Korean as 너의 이름은 (neoui ireumeun).
This phrase is used to refer to the name belonging to the person being spoken to. In informal settings, it is common to see Korean names end with the vowel '-ie' (이).
How does it change in a sentence?
The default form 너의 이름은 includes the topic marker '은', which allows the phrase to function as "As for your name…" or "Your name is…" within a sentence.
How do you pronounce it?
neoui ireumeun
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use 너의 이름은 when speaking to strangers or superiors. To avoid being rude or blunt, use honorific forms when addressing people you do not know well or those in higher positions.
Did you know?
- If you want to ask for someone's name politely, you should not use the word 'name' (이름) at all. You instead use the honorific word 성함, which translates to 'distinguished name'.
- Using 너의 이름은 to a stranger can sound like a challenge or a confrontation in a movie or a dramatic scene.
- In Korean, people rarely use the word 'your' to address someone directly. Instead, they typically refer to the person by their 'title' or 'position' to avoid being impolite.
Examples in context
- 에밀리Emily
- 제이크Jake
- 너의 이름은 뭐야?neo-ui ireum-eun mwo-ya?What is your name?
- 너의 이름은 정말 예쁘다.neo-ui ireum-eun jeong-mal ye-ppeu-da.Your name is really pretty.
- 너의 이름은 어떻게 써?neo-ui ireum-eun eo-tteok-ke sseo?How do you write your name?
Example conversation
Subin and Jihun meet for the first time at a park.
- 수빈 Su-bin안녕! 너의 이름은 뭐야?annyeong! neoui ireumeun mwoya?Hi! What is your name?
- 지훈 Ji-hun내 이름은 지훈이야.nae ireumeun jihun-iya.My name is Jihun.
- 수빈 Su-bin만나서 반가워, 지훈아.mannaseo bangawo, jihun-a.Nice to meet you, Jihun.
- 지훈 Ji-hun나도 반가워, 수빈아.nado bangawo, subin-a.Nice to meet you too, Subin.
