How to say "What is your name?" in Korean
The natural way Koreans say "What is your name?" — with the polite form, close alternatives, and audio for every line.
이름이 뭐야?
ireumi mwoya?
Literally: What is the name?
When to use it
Careful with this one. The casual version is only for someone clearly younger than you - asking an adult stranger this way lands badly. Use the polite form below.
Polite form
- 이름이 뭐예요?ireumi mwoyeyo?Use this with strangers, anyone older than you, and at work.
Other ways to say it
- 성함이 어떻게 되세요?seonghami eotteoke doeseyo?= May I ask your name? (respectful)성함 is the honorific word for name. This is what you use with an older person or at a counter. It is worth memorising whole.
- 저는 민수예요jeoneun minsuyeyo= I am MinsuHow you answer - put your own name in. Use 예요 after a vowel and 이에요 after a consonant.
In a sentence
- 이름이 뭐예요?ireumi mwoyeyo?What is your name?
- 성함이 어떻게 되세요?seonghami eotteoke doeseyo?Might I have your name?
Practise this one. These phrases are in the phrase quiz — five rounds, no sign-up. Not reading Hangul yet? Start with the alphabet in 20 minutes.
essentialgreeting