Understanding how names are structured and used in Korea is crucial for effective communication and showing respect. This guide explains the standard Korean name order (family name first, given name last), provides key vocabulary, and offers cultural insights to help you navigate introductions and address people appropriately in Korean contexts.
Table Of Content
Core Concept: Name Order
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Expression: 성명 순서
Pronunciation: seong-myeong sun-seo
Meaning: Name order (Family name followed by Given name)
Key Terms for Names
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Expression: 성
Pronunciation: seong
Meaning: Family name, surname -
Expression: 이름
Pronunciation: i-reum
Meaning: Given name -
Expression: 성함
Pronunciation: seong-ham
Meaning: Name (honorific, polite form of 이름) -
Expression: 성씨
Pronunciation: seong-ssi
Meaning: Family name, clan name -
Expression: 본관
Pronunciation: bon-gwan
Meaning: Clan origin (place associated with a particular family lineage) -
Expression: 풀네임
Pronunciation: pul-ne-im
Meaning: Full name (loanword from English) -
Expression: 이름이 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: i-reum-i mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is your name? (Informal polite) -
Expression: 성함이 어떻게 되세요?
Pronunciation: seong-ham-i eo-tteo-ke doe-se-yo?
Meaning: What is your name? (Formal polite, using honorific) -
Expression: 제 이름은 [이름]입니다.
Pronunciation: je i-reum-eun [i-reum]-im-ni-da.
Meaning: My name is [Name]. (Standard introduction) -
Expression: 저는 [성] [이름]입니다.
Pronunciation: jeo-neun [seong] [i-reum]-im-ni-da.
Meaning: I am [Family Name] [Given Name]. (Standard full name introduction) -
Expression: 성은 [성]이고 이름은 [이름]입니다.
Pronunciation: seong-eun [seong]-i-go i-reum-eun [i-reum]-im-ni-da.
Meaning: My family name is [Surname] and my given name is [Given Name]. (Explicitly stating both parts) -
Expression: 어떻게 불러 드릴까요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteo-ke bul-leo deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: How should I address you? / What should I call you?
Explaining the Korean Name Order
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Expression: 한국 이름은 보통 성이 먼저 와요.
Pronunciation: han-guk i-reum-eun bo-tong seong-i meon-jeo wa-yo.
Meaning: Korean names usually have the family name first. -
Expression: 이름은 성 뒤에 와요.
Pronunciation: i-reum-eun seong dwi-e wa-yo.
Meaning: The given name comes after the family name. -
Expression: 성은 보통 한 글자예요.
Pronunciation: seong-eun bo-tong han geul-ja-ye-yo.
Meaning: The family name is usually one syllable. -
Expression: 이름은 보통 두 글자예요.
Pronunciation: i-reum-eun bo-tong du geul-ja-ye-yo.
Meaning: The given name is usually two syllables. -
Expression: 예를 들어, 김민준 씨의 성은 ‘김’이고 이름은 ‘민준’이에요.
Pronunciation: ye-reul deu-reo, gim-min-jun ssi-ui seong-eun ‘gim’-i-go i-reum-eun ‘min-jun’-i-e-yo.
Meaning: For example, for Mr. Kim Minjun, the family name is ‘Kim’ and the given name is ‘Minjun’. -
Expression: 서양식 이름 순서와 반대예요.
Pronunciation: seo-yang-sik i-reum sun-seo-wa ban-dae-ye-yo.
Meaning: It’s the opposite of the Western name order. -
Expression: 성과 이름 사이에 띄어쓰기를 하지 않아요.
Pronunciation: seong-gwa i-reum sa-i-e tti-eo-sseu-gi-reul ha-ji an-a-yo.
Meaning: There is no space between the family name and the given name when writing. -
Expression: 명함에는 보통 ‘성+이름’ 순서로 적혀 있어요.
Pronunciation: myeong-ham-e-neun bo-tong ‘seong+i-reum’ sun-seo-ro jeok-hyeo iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: Business cards usually have names written in the ‘Family Name + Given Name’ order. -
Expression: 국제적으로는 ‘이름+성’ 순서로 쓰기도 해요.
Pronunciation: guk-je-jeo-geu-ro-neun ‘i-reum+seong’ sun-seo-ro sseu-gi-do hae-yo.
Meaning: Internationally, sometimes names are written in the ‘Given Name + Family Name’ order. -
Expression: 성이 두 글자인 경우도 있어요.
Pronunciation: seong-i du geul-ja-in gyeong-u-do iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: There are also cases where the family name has two syllables (e.g., 남궁 Namgung, 황보 Hwangbo). -
Expression: 이름이 한 글자나 세 글자인 경우도 있어요.
Pronunciation: i-reum-i han geul-ja-na se geul-ja-in gyeong-u-do iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: There are also cases where the given name has one or three syllables.
How to Address People Correctly
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Expression: [성] + [직함]님 (예: 김 부장님)
Pronunciation: [seong] + [jik-ham]-nim (ye: gim bu-jang-nim)
Meaning: [Family Name] + [Title]-nim (e.g., Manager Kim) – Standard polite way to address superiors or professionals. -
Expression: [성] + 선생님
Pronunciation: [seong] seon-saeng-nim
Meaning: [Family Name] + Teacher (Used for teachers, doctors, or generally respected individuals). -
Expression: [성] + 교수님
Pronunciation: [seong] gyo-su-nim
Meaning: [Family Name] + Professor (Used for university professors). -
Expression: [풀네임] + 씨 (예: 김민준 씨)
Pronunciation: [pul-ne-im] + ssi (ye: gim-min-jun ssi)
Meaning: [Full Name] + ssi (e.g., Mr./Ms. Kim Minjun) – General polite suffix, used for peers or juniors, often with the full name. -
Expression: [이름] + 씨 (예: 민준 씨)
Pronunciation: [i-reum] + ssi (ye: min-jun ssi)
Meaning: [Given Name] + ssi (e.g., Minjun-ssi) – More familiar than full name + ssi, used between colleagues who are somewhat close. Avoid using with superiors. -
Expression: [이름]아 / 야 (예: 민준아)
Pronunciation: [i-reum]-a / ya (ye: min-jun-a)
Meaning: [Given Name] + a / ya (e.g., Minjun-ah!) – Casual and informal, used for close friends or people significantly younger. (Use ‘아’ if the name ends in a consonant, ‘야’ if it ends in a vowel). -
Expression: 처음 뵙는 분께는 ‘씨’나 직함+’님’을 사용하세요.
Pronunciation: cheo-eum boep-neun bun-kke-neun ‘ssi’-na jik-ham+’nim’-eul sa-yong-ha-se-yo.
Meaning: For someone you meet for the first time, use ‘ssi’ or Title + ‘nim’. -
Expression: 윗사람에게는 이름만 부르지 마세요.
Pronunciation: wit-sa-ram-e-ge-neun i-reum-man bu-reu-ji ma-se-yo.
Meaning: Do not call superiors by only their given name. -
Expression: 친한 사이가 아니면 성을 빼고 부르지 마세요.
Pronunciation: chin-han sa-i-ga a-ni-myeon seong-eul ppae-go bu-reu-ji ma-se-yo.
Meaning: Unless you are close, don’t call someone only by their given name (without ‘ssi’ or title). -
Expression: 직함이 있으면 직함으로 부르는 것이 가장 안전해요.
Pronunciation: jik-ham-i iss-eu-myeon jik-ham-eu-ro bu-reu-neun geos-i ga-jang an-jeon-hae-yo.
Meaning: If someone has a title, addressing them by their title is the safest option. -
Expression: 성만 부르는 것은 무례할 수 있어요.
Pronunciation: seong-man bu-reu-neun geos-eun mu-rye-hal su iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: Calling someone only by their family name can be rude.
Korean Culture Notes
Family Name First: The standard Korean name order is Family Name followed by Given Name (e.g., 김민준 – Kim Minjun). This reflects the cultural importance placed on family and lineage.
Common Surnames: A few family names are very common in Korea. Kim (김), Lee (이), and Park (박) account for a significant portion of the population. Don’t be surprised to meet many people with the same family name!
Addressing Hierarchy: Addressing people correctly based on age and social status is extremely important in Korean culture. Using titles (like 부장님 Bujangnim – Manager, 선생님 Seonsaengnim – Teacher) with the family name is standard practice in formal and professional settings. Avoid using just the given name unless you are very close and of similar age or addressing someone younger.
The Nuance of ‘씨’ (ssi): While ‘씨’ (ssi) is a general polite suffix often translated as Mr./Ms., its usage requires care. Attaching it to a full name (김민준 씨 – Kim Minjun-ssi) is generally safe for peers or juniors. Using it with just the given name (민준 씨 – Minjun-ssi) implies a bit more familiarity. Avoid using ‘씨’ when addressing superiors; use their title + 님 (nim) instead.
Name Structure Variations: While one-syllable family names and two-syllable given names are the most common structure, variations exist. Some family names have two syllables (e.g., 남궁 Namgung, 황보 Hwangbo), and given names can occasionally be one or three syllables.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Chris, a new employee from overseas, meets his Korean colleague, Kim Minjun, for the first time.
Roles: A = Chris, B = Kim Minjun
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Expression: A: 안녕하세요, 새로 입사한 크리스입니다. 만나서 반갑습니다.
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, sae-ro ip-sa-han keu-ri-seu-im-ni-da. man-na-seo ban-gap-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Hello, I’m Chris, the new employee. It’s nice to meet you. -
Expression: B: 아, 안녕하세요, 크리스 씨. 저는 김민준입니다. 반갑습니다.
Pronunciation: a, an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, keu-ri-seu ssi. jeo-neun gim-min-jun-im-ni-da. ban-gap-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Ah, hello, Chris-ssi. I’m Kim Minjun. Nice to meet you too. -
Expression: A: 김민준 씨. 그럼 ‘김’이 성이고 ‘민준’이 이름인가요? 한국 이름 순서가 헷갈려서요.
Pronunciation: gim-min-jun ssi. geu-reom ‘gim’-i seong-i-go ‘min-jun’-i i-reum-in-ga-yo? han-guk i-reum sun-seo-ga het-gal-lyeo-seo-yo.
Meaning: Kim Minjun-ssi. So, is ‘Kim’ the family name and ‘Minjun’ the given name? I get confused with the Korean name order. -
Expression: B: 네, 맞아요. 한국에서는 보통 성을 먼저 말해요. ‘김’이 제 성이고 ‘민준’이 이름입니다.
Pronunciation: ne, maj-a-yo. han-guk-e-seo-neun bo-tong seong-eul meon-jeo mal-hae-yo. ‘gim’-i je seong-i-go ‘min-jun’-i i-reum-im-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, that’s correct. In Korea, we usually say the family name first. ‘Kim’ is my family name, and ‘Minjun’ is my given name. -
Expression: A: 알겠습니다. 그럼 제가 부를 때는 민준 씨라고 부르면 될까요? 아니면 김 선생님이라고 불러야 하나요?
Pronunciation: al-get-seum-ni-da. geu-reom je-ga bu-reul ttae-neun min-jun ssi-ra-go bu-reu-myeon doel-kka-yo? a-ni-myeon gim seon-saeng-nim-i-ra-go bul-leo-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: I understand. So, when I address you, should I call you Minjun-ssi? Or should I call you Kim Seonsaengnim? -
Expression: B: 저희는 같은 팀 동료니까 편하게 민준 씨라고 불러주세요.
Pronunciation: jeo-hui-neun ga-teun tim dong-nyo-ni-kka pyeon-ha-ge min-jun ssi-ra-go bul-leo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Since we’re colleagues on the same team, please feel free to call me Minjun-ssi comfortably.
Practice Tips
Understanding Korean name order is fundamental! Try introducing yourself using the Korean structure: “[Family Name] [Given Name]입니다” (jeoneun [Family Name] [Given Name]-imnida). Pay close attention to how characters address each other in K-dramas or movies – notice when they use full names, given names + 씨 (ssi), or titles + 님 (nim). Practice asking someone’s name politely using “성함이 어떻게 되세요?” (seong-ham-i eo-tteo-ke doe-se-yo?). Getting this right shows respect and cultural awareness~ Keep practicing!
