Introducing yourself

❃ Introducing yourself

제 이름은 [이름]입니다. [ Je ireumeun [ireum]imnida. ]: My name is [Name].
저는 [국가] 사람이에요. [ Jeoneun [gukga] saramieyo. ]: I am from [Country].
저는 프랑스 사람이에요. [ Jeoneun peurangseu saramieyo. ]: I am French.
저는 학생이에요. [ Jeoneun haksaengieyo. ]: I am a student.
저는 회사원이에요. [ Jeoneun hoesawonieyo. ]: I am an office worker.
한국은 처음이에요. [ Hangugeun cheoeumieyo. ]: It's my first time in Korea.
여행하러 왔어요. [ Yeohaenghareo wasseoyo. ]: I came here to travel.
일하러 왔어요. [ Ilhareo wasseoyo. ]: I came here to work.
저는 [도시]에 살아요. [ Jeoneun [dosi]e sarayo. ]: I live in [City].
한국어를 1년 동안 배웠어요. [ Hangugeoreul il nyeon dongan baewosseoyo. ]: I learned Korean for a year.
한국 문화를 좋아해요. [ Hanguk munhwareul joahaeyo. ]: I like Korean culture.
케이팝을 좋아해요. [ Keipabeul joahaeyo. ]: I like K-pop.
제 친구를 소개할게요. [ Je chingureul sogaehalgeyo. ]: Let me introduce my friend.
이름이 뭐예요? [ Ireumi mwoyeyo? ]: What is your name?
어디에서 오셨어요? [ Eodieseo osyeosseoyo? ]: Where are you from?
직업이 뭐예요? [ Jigeobi mwoyeyo? ]: What is your job?
어디에 사세요? [ Eodie saseyo? ]: Where do you live?
가족이랑 같이 왔어요. [ Gajogirang gachi wasseoyo. ]: I came with my family.
취미가 뭐예요? [ Chwimiga mwoyeyo? ]: What are your hobbies?
한국 음식을 매일 먹어요. [ Hanguk eumsigeul maeil meogeoyo. ]: I eat Korean food every day.

Cultural notes

Introducing yourself in Western cultures often revolves around individualism; you state your given name, perhaps your personal interests, and keep things relatively casual. In South Korea, however, a self-introduction (자기소개 - Jagi-sogae) is fundamentally anchored in the concept of belonging and social affiliation (소속 - Sosoek). When introducing themselves to someone new, Koreans will almost always state their company, university, or professional title before revealing their actual name. For example, rather than saying "Hello, I am Min-su," a local is far more likely to say, "I am Samsung's Assistant Manager, Kim Min-su." This structure provides the listener with immediate context regarding their social standing and professional hierarchy. If you are visiting Korea for work, exchanging business cards (명함 - Myeongham) is an absolute, sacred ritual that cannot be skipped. You must always offer and receive the card with both hands to show respect. Take a few deliberate moments to read the card carefully, and never shove it immediately into your back pocket or wallet, as the card is viewed as a direct extension of the person's identity and status. Furthermore, be mentally prepared to answer questions that might feel slightly intrusive or overly personal back home, such as your exact age, your marital status, your precise profession, or your educational background. These questions are not born out of idle gossip; they represent the Korean method of finding common ground and determining the correct level of polite language (Jondaetmal) to use with you to build a harmonious relationship.

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