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How to Introduce Yourself in Korean
A self-introduction is one of the first things you'll actually use in Korean — meeting people, starting a class, or breaking the ice on a trip. The good news is that a solid introduction is just a few set phrases you can memorize and reuse. This guide walks through them in the polite forms most appropriate for first meetings, plainly and without overpromising. How natural it feels comes with practice.
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Methods & tips that actually help
Open with 안녕하세요
Realistic effect: 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo) is the standard polite "hello" that works in almost any situation. It's the natural way to start nearly every introduction.
Best for: Every beginner — the universal opener.
State your name with 저는 …이에요/예요 or …입니다
Realistic effect: 저는 [name]이에요/예요 (jeoneun [name]-ieyo/yeyo) is the polite way to say "I'm [name]." For more formal settings, [name]입니다 (-imnida) sounds more respectful.
Best for: Learners introducing themselves by name.
Say where you're from
Realistic effect: [place]에서 왔어요 ([place]-eseo wasseoyo) means "I'm from [place]" — for example 미국에서 왔어요 (I'm from America). It's a natural follow-up to your name.
Best for: Travelers and learners meeting new people.
Add one personal detail
Realistic effect: Mention your job or a hobby with a simple sentence, like 제 직업은 … (je jigeobeun…, my job is…). One detail makes your introduction feel real rather than rote.
Best for: Learners who want a fuller introduction.
Close with 만나서 반갑습니다
Realistic effect: 만나서 반갑습니다 (mannaseo bangapseumnida) means "nice to meet you" and is a polite, slightly formal way to close. The friendlier 만나서 반가워요 works in more casual settings.
Best for: Learners finishing a first-meeting introduction.
Choose your formality level
Realistic effect: For elders, teachers, or professional settings, lean on the formal -입니다 and -습니다 endings. With peers your own age, the -이에요/-예요 and -아요/-어요 polite forms are warmer and still respectful.
Best for: Learners unsure how formal to be.
Add a small bow
Realistic effect: A gentle 15-degree nod naturally accompanies 안녕하세요 or 만나서 반갑습니다 and shows respect. It's a small gesture that makes a good first impression.
Best for: Learners wanting culturally natural introductions.
Practice it as a set piece
Realistic effect: Rehearse your whole introduction out loud until it flows, so you're not assembling it word by word under pressure. Memorizing it as a block reduces the freeze when you meet someone. Progress varies.
Best for: Learners nervous about speaking for the first time.
An introduction feels natural once you've said it to a real person and gotten feedback — a tutor can rehearse it with you and fix your pronunciation. You can find Korean tutors on italki.
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Frequently asked questions
How do you introduce yourself in Korean?
A simple introduction is: 안녕하세요 (hello), 저는 [name]이에요/예요 (I'm [name]), [place]에서 왔어요 (I'm from [place]), and 만나서 반갑습니다 (nice to meet you). You can add a detail like your job or hobby.
How do you say "my name is" in Korean?
Use 저는 [name]이에요 or 저는 [name]예요 (jeoneun [name]-ieyo/yeyo) in polite everyday speech, or [name]입니다 (-imnida) in more formal settings.
How do you say "nice to meet you" in Korean?
만나서 반갑습니다 (mannaseo bangapseumnida) is the polite, slightly formal version. The friendlier 만나서 반가워요 (mannaseo bangawoyo) works in more casual situations.
How do you say where you're from in Korean?
Use [place]에서 왔어요 ([place]-eseo wasseoyo), which means "I'm from [place]." For example, 미국에서 왔어요 means "I'm from America."
Should I bow when introducing myself in Korean?
A gentle 15-degree nod naturally accompanies greetings like 안녕하세요 and 만나서 반갑습니다 and shows respect. Deeper bows suit more formal situations.