Exchanging business cards, or myeongham (명함), is a crucial part of professional etiquette in Korea. This guide provides the essential Korean expressions and cultural insights needed to navigate business card exchanges smoothly and respectfully, ensuring you make a positive first impression in professional settings.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
This is the fundamental term for the act of exchanging business cards.
- Expression: 명함 교환하기 (Myeongham Gyohwanhagi)
Pronunciation: myung-hahm gyo-hwahn-hah-gee
Meaning: Exchanging business cards (명함: business card, 교환하기: to exchange)
Initiating the Exchange
Use these phrases to politely offer your business card or ask for someone else’s.
- Expression: 제 명함입니다. (Je myeonghamimnida.)
Pronunciation: jeh myung-hahm-im-nee-dah
Meaning: This is my business card. - Expression: 명함 한 장 주시겠어요? (Myeongham han jang jusigesseoyo?)
Pronunciation: myung-hahm hahn jahng joo-shee-geh-ssuh-yo?
Meaning: May I have your business card? (Polite) - Expression: 명함 드려도 될까요? (Myeongham deuryeodo doelkkayo?)
Pronunciation: myung-hahm deu-ryuh-doh dwel-kkah-yo?
Meaning: May I give you my business card? - Expression: 먼저 제 명함부터 드리겠습니다. (Meonjeo je myeongham-buteo deurigetsseumnida.)
Pronunciation: mun-juh jeh myung-hahm-boo-tuh deu-ree-geh-sseum-nee-dah
Meaning: Let me give you my business card first. - Expression: 혹시 명함 있으신가요? (Hoksi myeongham isseusingayo?)
Pronunciation: hok-shee myung-hahm ee-sseu-shin-gah-yo?
Meaning: Do you happen to have a business card? - Expression: 명함 교환하시겠어요? (Myeongham gyohwanhasigesseoyo?)
Pronunciation: myung-hahm gyo-hwahn-hah-shee-geh-ssuh-yo?
Meaning: Would you like to exchange business cards? - Expression: 여기 제 명함입니다. (Yeogi je myeonghamimnida.)
Pronunciation: yuh-gee jeh myung-hahm-im-nee-dah
Meaning: Here is my business card. - Expression: 만나 뵙게 되어 반갑습니다. 제 명함입니다. (Manna boepge doe-eo bangapseumnida. Je myeonghamimnida.)
Pronunciation: mahn-nah bwep-geh dweh-uh bahn-gahp-seum-nee-dah. jeh myung-hahm-im-nee-dah
Meaning: It’s a pleasure to meet you. Here is my business card. - Expression: 명함 좀 받을 수 있을까요? (Myeongham jom badeul su isseulkkayo?)
Pronunciation: myung-hahm jom bah-deul soo ee-sseul-kkah-yo?
Meaning: Could I possibly get your business card? - Expression: 제 소개를 먼저 드리겠습니다. 여기 명함입니다. (Je sogaereul meonjeo deurigetseumnida. Yeogi myeonghamimnida.)
Pronunciation: jeh soh-gae-reul mun-juh deu-ree-geh-sseum-nee-dah. yuh-gee myung-hahm-im-nee-dah
Meaning: Let me introduce myself first. Here is my business card.
Giving and Receiving Cards
These expressions are used during the actual act of giving and receiving the cards, emphasizing politeness.
- Expression: 잘 받겠습니다. (Jal batgetseumnida.)
Pronunciation: jahl baht-geh-sseum-nee-dah
Meaning: I will receive it well. (Said when receiving a card) - Expression: 감사합니다. (Gamsahamnida.)
Pronunciation: gahm-sah-hahm-nee-dah
Meaning: Thank you. - Expression: 아, 네. 감사합니다. 제 명함도 여기 있습니다. (A, ne. Gamsahamnida. Je myeonghamdo yeogi itseumnida.)
Pronunciation: ah, neh. gahm-sah-hahm-nee-dah. jeh myung-hahm-doh yuh-gee eet-seum-nee-dah
Meaning: Ah, yes. Thank you. Here is my business card too. - Expression: (이름) 님 이시군요. 반갑습니다. ([Ireum] nim isigunyo. Bangapseumnida.)
Pronunciation: [ee-reum] neem ee-shee-goon-yoh. bahn-gahp-seum-nee-dah
Meaning: Ah, you are Mr./Ms. [Name]. Nice to meet you. (Said after reading the name) - Expression: 직함이 [직함]이시네요. ([Jikham]i [jikham]isineyo.)
Pronunciation: [jeek-hahm]-ee [jeek-hahm]-ee-shee-neh-yo
Meaning: Your title is [Title]. (Showing you’ve read the card) - Expression: 명함 잘 받았습니다. (Myeongham jal badatseumnida.)
Pronunciation: myung-hahm jahl bah-daht-seum-nee-dah
Meaning: I have received your business card well. - Expression: 소중히 간직하겠습니다. (Sojunghi ganjikhagetseumnida.)
Pronunciation: soh-joong-hee gahn-jeek-hah-geh-sseum-nee-dah
Meaning: I will keep it carefully/cherish it. - Expression: 앞으로 잘 부탁드립니다. (Apeuro jal butakdeurimnida.)
Pronunciation: ah-peu-roh jahl boo-tahk-deu-reem-nee-dah
Meaning: I look forward to working with you / Please take care of me. - Expression: 명함 디자인이 멋지네요. (Myeongham dijaini meotjineyo.)
Pronunciation: myung-hahm dee-jah-ee-nee muut-jee-neh-yo
Meaning: Your business card design is cool/stylish. - Expression: 연락처 감사합니다. (Yeollakcheo gamsahamnida.)
Pronunciation: yuhl-lahk-chuh gahm-sah-hahm-nee-dah
Meaning: Thank you for the contact information.
After the Exchange
Continue the conversation politely after the exchange is complete.
- Expression: 만나서 반갑습니다. (Mannaseo bangapseumnida.)
Pronunciation: mahn-nah-suh bahn-gahp-seum-nee-dah
Meaning: It’s nice to meet you. - Expression: 다음에 또 뵙겠습니다. (Daeume tto boepgetseumnida.)
Pronunciation: dah-eum-eh ttoh bwep-geh-sseum-nee-dah
Meaning: I hope to see you again next time. - Expression: 곧 연락드리겠습니다. (Got yeollakdeurigetseumnida.)
Pronunciation: goht yuhl-lahk-deu-ree-geh-sseum-nee-dah
Meaning: I will contact you soon. - Expression: 오늘 만나서 반가웠습니다. (Oneul mannaseo bangawotseumnida.)
Pronunciation: oh-neul mahn-nah-suh bahn-gah-woht-seum-nee-dah
Meaning: It was nice meeting you today. - Expression: 좋은 말씀 감사합니다. (Joeun malsseum gamsahamnida.)
Pronunciation: joh-eun mahl-sseum gahm-sah-hahm-nee-dah
Meaning: Thank you for your kind words/the good conversation. - Expression: 이야기 나눌 수 있어서 좋았습니다. (Iyagi nanul su isseoseo joatseumnida.)
Pronunciation: ee-yah-gee nah-nool soo ee-ssuh-suh joh-aht-seum-nee-dah
Meaning: It was good being able to talk with you. - Expression: 그럼 조심히 들어가세요. (Geureom josimhi deureogaseyo.)
Pronunciation: geu-ruhm joh-sheem-hee deu-ruh-gah-seh-yoh
Meaning: Well then, please get back safely. (Used when parting) - Expression: 나중에 이메일로 연락드리겠습니다. (Najunge imeil-lo yeollakdeurigetseumnida.)
Pronunciation: nah-joong-eh ee-meh-il-loh yuhl-lahk-deu-ree-geh-sseum-nee-dah
Meaning: I will contact you later by email. - Expression: 오늘 시간 내주셔서 감사합니다. (Oneul sigan naejusyeoseo gamsahamnida.)
Pronunciation: oh-neul shee-gahn nae-joo-shyuh-suh gahm-sah-hahm-nee-dah
Meaning: Thank you for your time today. - Expression: 다음에 식사 한번 같이 하시죠. (Daeume siksa hanbeon gachi hasijyo.)
Pronunciation: dah-eum-eh sheek-sah hahn-bun gah-chee hah-shee-jyoh
Meaning: Let’s have a meal together next time.
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding the etiquette surrounding business card exchange is vital in Korea.
- Hierarchy Matters: Always try to give your card to the most senior person first. If unsure, observe others or wait for cues. The junior person typically initiates the exchange or offers their card first when meeting someone senior.
- Use Two Hands: Present and receive business cards using both hands. This shows respect. If using one hand is unavoidable (e.g., holding something), use your right hand and support your right wrist or elbow with your left hand.
- Read the Card: Upon receiving a card, take a moment to read it carefully. Acknowledge the person’s name and title (e.g., “[Name] 팀장님 (Timjangnim – Team Leader)”). This shows genuine interest and respect.
- Keep it Visible: During a meeting, place the received business cards on the table in front of you, often arranged according to seating positions. Do not immediately put it away in a pocket or wallet, especially not a back pocket.
- Card Condition: Ensure your own business cards are clean, crisp, and stored in a proper cardholder. Presenting a worn or dirty card is considered unprofessional.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two professionals, Mr. Kim (Senior Manager from Company A) and Ms. Park (Associate from Company B), meet for the first time at a conference networking event.
Roles:
* A: 김민준 (Kim Minjun) – Senior Manager
* B: 박서연 (Park Seoyeon) – Associate
- Expression: B: 안녕하세요, 박서연이라고 합니다. B사에서 근무하고 있습니다. 먼저 제 명함입니다. (Annyeonghaseyo, Park Seoyeon-irago hamnida. B-sa-eseo geunmuhago itseumnida. Meonjeo je myeonghamimnida.)
Pronunciation: ahn-nyung-hah-seh-yo, pahk-suh-yun-ee-rah-goh hahm-nee-dah. bee-sah-eh-suh geun-moo-hah-goh eet-seum-nee-dah. mun-juh jeh myung-hahm-im-nee-dah.
Meaning: Hello, I am Park Seoyeon. I work at Company B. Here is my business card first. (Offers card with two hands) - Expression: A: 아, 네. 반갑습니다. 저는 A사의 김민준입니다. 잘 받겠습니다. (A, ne. Bangapseumnida. Jeoneun A-sa-ui Kim Minjun-imnida. Jal batgetseumnida.) (Receives with two hands, reads the card) 아, 박서연 대리님이시군요. 여기 제 명함입니다. (A, Park Seoyeon Daeri-nim-isigunyo. Yeogi je myeonghamimnida.)
Pronunciation: ah, neh. bahn-gahp-seum-nee-dah. juh-neun eh-ee-sah-eui keem-min-joon-im-nee-dah. jahl baht-geh-sseum-nee-dah. ah, pahk-suh-yun dae-ree-neem-ee-shee-goon-yoh. yuh-gee jeh myung-hahm-im-nee-dah.
Meaning: Ah, yes. Nice to meet you. I am Kim Minjun from Company A. I will receive it well. (Reads card) Ah, you are Assistant Manager Park Seoyeon. Here is my business card. (Offers card with two hands) - Expression: B: 네, 김민준 부장님. 감사합니다. 잘 받겠습니다. (Ne, Kim Minjun Bujangnim. Gamsahamnida. Jal batgetseumnida.) (Receives with two hands, reads card) 만나 뵙게 되어 영광입니다. (Manna boepge doe-eo yeonggwangimnida.)
Pronunciation: neh, keem-min-joon boo-jahng-neem. gahm-sah-hahm-nee-dah. jahl baht-geh-sseum-nee-dah. mahn-nah bwep-geh dweh-uh yung-gwahng-im-nee-dah.
Meaning: Yes, Department Head Kim Minjun. Thank you. I will receive it well. It’s an honor to meet you. - Expression: A: 저도 만나서 반갑습니다. 박 대리님. 오늘 컨퍼런스는 어떠셨나요? (Jeodo mannaseo bangapseumnida. Park Daeri-nim. Oneul keonpeoreonseu-neun eotteosyeotnayo?)
Pronunciation: juh-doh mahn-nah-suh bahn-gahp-seum-nee-dah. pahk dae-ree-neem. oh-neul kun-puh-run-seu-neun uh-ttuh-shyut-nah-yo?
Meaning: It’s nice to meet you too, Assistant Manager Park. How did you find the conference today?
Practice Tips
Mastering the business card exchange is all about practice and understanding the cultural context! Try role-playing with a friend or language partner~ Focus on using two hands and saying the polite phrases like “잘 받겠습니다” (Jal batgetseumnida) and “감사합니다” (Gamsahamnida). Remember to read the card you receive! Keep your own cards handy and in good condition. With a little practice, you’ll handle Korean business card exchanges like a pro! 화이팅! (Hwaiting! – You can do it!)
