자기 소개 : Introduce Yourself in Korean

Annyeonghaseyo, chingudeul! As a foreigner who begins to learn Korean, surely you should learn how to introduce yourself in Korean well. This is one of basic lessons in Korean. Previously, we have discussed the common greetings and daily greetings. Both are also important to introduce yourself in Korean. You need to greet people first to start your self introduction. It starts with basic greeting 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo) or 안녕하십니까 (annyeonghasimnikka). Self introduction is commonly used in the very first day of school or office. Since you are junior in the new environment, first impression is necessary. Here we provide some ways to introduce yourself in Korean. Nail it, guys!

1. 이름 (Ireum) – Essential Part to Introduce Yourself in Korean

Introduce your name is obviously necessary after you greet people. Generally you can say  제 이름은 …. 입니다 (je ireumeun …. Imnida). It literally means “My name is….” In English. You can also say in brief like 저는…. 입니다 (Jeoneun….imnida) or “I am ….” in English. Alternatively, you may add -라고/이라고 합니다 (-rago/irago hamnida) after your name. Suffix -라고 is added to the name that ends with vowel while suffix -이라고 is added to the name that ends with consonant. Let’s see the difference in example: 저는 은우라고 합니다 (jeoneun Eunwoo-rago hamnida) & 저는 인엽이라고 합니다 (jeoneun Inyeop-irago hamnida).

2. 나이 (Nai) – Age: Optional Information to Introduce Yourself in Korean

Mentioning age when introduce yourself in Korean is optional. It is fine to mention your age. It is probably useful for certain people so they could manage how to treat you or talk to you. You can say 저는 스물세 살입니다 (jeoneun seumulse sarimnida). It means “I am 24 years old”. Previously we have discussed about Korean numbers including the usage to determine age or you may view here.

3. 국적 (Gukjeok) – Nationality

This information is important to mention if you are a foreigner and currently in Korea. Your face is probably obvious to recognize. They might ask your 나라 (nara) or country by saying 어느 나라 사람입니까? (Eoneu nara saramimnikka?). Then you can reply by saying 저는 인도네시아 사람입니다 (jeoneun Indonesia saramimnida). It means “I am Indonesian”. Please find other nationalities in Korean dictionary. Alternatively, you can also tell them 저는 인도네시아에서 왔습니다. 지금 한국에 삽니다 (Jeoneun Indonesia-eseo wasseumnida. Jigeum Hanguk-e samnida). It means “I come from Indonesia. Now I live in Korea”.

4. 직업 (Jigeob) – Occupation

Telling your occupation is common thing to introduce yourself in Korean. You may say 제 직업은 …. 입니다 (Je jigeobeun….imnida) or just say 저는 …. 입니다 (Jeoneun….imnida). Please find the complete occupation terms in Korean dictionary or you could view in our previous discussion about popular jobs in Korean. Let’s take the examples with common job terms: 회사원 (hwesawon) or office staff.

Example: 저는 회사원 입니다. 저는 여행사에서 일합니다 (Jeoneun hwesawon imnida. Jeoneun yeohaengsa-eseo irhamnida) -> I am an office staff. I work at travel agency.

5. Introduce Yourself in Korean: Closing

It’s important to close your self introduction with appropriate sentences. It remains the good impression from people. Please say 만나서 반갑습니다 (mannaseo bangapseumnida). It means “It is good to see you” in English. Then, you may tell them 잘 부탁드립니다 (jal butakdeurimnida). This doesn’t literally means “please take care of me” but it implies that we look forward to do something with them or we will do our best.