One of the first things you’ll need in Korean is a self-introduction — called 자기소개 (jagisogae). Whether you’re meeting someone new, starting a language exchange, or walking into your first Korean class, knowing how to introduce yourself properly makes a strong first impression and gives you a confidence boost right when you need it most.
Korean introductions follow a predictable pattern, and once you learn the template, you can swap in your own details and have a working self-introduction in minutes.
The Basic Korean Self-Introduction Template
Here’s the standard structure most Korean learners start with. This uses polite speech (존댓말), which is appropriate for meeting anyone you don’t know well:
- 안녕하세요. (annyeonghaseyo.) — Hello.
- 저는 [name]이에요/예요. (jeoneun [name]-ieyo/yeyo.) — I am [name].
- [Country]에서 왔어요. ([country]-eseo wasseoyo.) — I came from [country].
- [Job/student]이에요/예요. ([job]-ieyo/yeyo.) — I am a [job/student].
- 한국어를 배우고 있어요. (hangugeoreul baeugo isseoyo.) — I’m learning Korean.
- 만나서 반갑습니다. (mannaseo bangapseumnida.) — Nice to meet you.
A note on 이에요 vs 예요: use 이에요 when the word before it ends in a consonant, and 예요 when it ends in a vowel. So “마크예요” (Makeu-yeyo, “I’m Mark”) but “존이에요” (Jon-ieyo, “I’m John”).
How Do You Say Your Name in Korean?
To say your name in Korean, use 저는 [name]이에요/예요 for polite speech, or 제 이름은 [name]이에요/예요 (“my name is…”) for a slightly more formal version.
There are two ways to state your name:
- 저는 사라예요. (jeoneun Sara-yeyo.) — “I’m Sara.” (casual polite — most common)
- 제 이름은 사라예요. (je ireumeun Sara-yeyo.) — “My name is Sara.” (a bit more formal)
If you have a non-Korean name, just approximate it in Hangul as best you can. Koreans are used to hearing foreign names and won’t expect perfect Korean pronunciation. What matters is that you’re trying.
How to Say Where You’re From
The pattern is simple: [country name] + 에서 왔어요 (eseo wasseoyo, “came from”).
- 미국에서 왔어요. (miguk-eseo wasseoyo.) — I’m from America.
- 영국에서 왔어요. (yeongguk-eseo wasseoyo.) — I’m from England.
- 캐나다에서 왔어요. (kaenada-eseo wasseoyo.) — I’m from Canada.
- 호주에서 왔어요. (hoju-eseo wasseoyo.) — I’m from Australia.
You can also say your nationality with [country] 사람이에요 (saram-ieyo, “[country] person”):
- 미국 사람이에요. (miguk saram-ieyo.) — I’m American.
Talking About Your Job or Studies
Common job titles in Korean that you might use in an introduction:
- 학생이에요 (haksaeng-ieyo) — I’m a student
- 회사원이에요 (hoesawon-ieyo) — I’m an office worker
- 선생님이에요 (seonsaengnim-ieyo) — I’m a teacher
- 주부예요 (jubu-yeyo) — I’m a homemaker
- 프리랜서예요 (peurilaenseo-yeyo) — I’m a freelancer
Adding Your Age (Korean Age vs International Age)
Age matters a lot in Korean culture because it determines the speech level you should use with someone. You might be asked 몇 살이에요? (myeot sarieyo? — “How old are you?”) early in a conversation, which can feel blunt by Western standards but is completely normal in Korea.
To state your age: [number] 살이에요 (sal-ieyo).
- 스물다섯 살이에요. (seumuldaseot sarieyo.) — I’m 25 years old.
Note: Korea recently switched to the international age system in June 2023 for legal and administrative purposes, but many Koreans still use Korean age (만 나이 vs 한국 나이) in casual conversation. When in doubt, just state your international age — everyone will understand.
For a full breakdown of how Korean numbers work, including when to use native Korean vs Sino-Korean numbers (spoiler: ages use native Korean numbers), that guide has everything.
Putting It All Together: Sample Introductions
Casual polite (meeting a language exchange partner):
안녕하세요! 저는 사라예요. 미국에서 왔어요. 지금 한국어를 배우고 있어요. 아직 초급이에요. 만나서 반가워요!
“Hello! I’m Sara. I’m from America. I’m learning Korean right now. I’m still a beginner. Nice to meet you!”
More formal (meeting someone older or in a professional context):
안녕하세요. 제 이름은 사라입니다. 미국에서 왔습니다. 회사원입니다. 한국어를 공부하고 있습니다. 만나서 반갑습니다.
“Hello. My name is Sara. I came from America. I’m an office worker. I’m studying Korean. It’s very nice to meet you.”
Formal vs Casual: Choosing the Right Politeness Level
Before you say a single word, Korean asks you to make one decision: how polite to be. Most of the time when you introduce yourself in Korean, you will use 존댓말 (jondaetmal), the polite form, because you are usually meeting someone for the first time. Within polite speech there are two common endings: the formal -입니다 / -입니까 (used in presentations, interviews, and the military) and the softer polite -이에요 / -예요 (used in everyday conversation). Saying 저는 마야예요 (jeoneun Maya-yeyo, “I’m Maya”) is warm and natural with new acquaintances, while 저는 마야입니다 (jeoneun Maya-imnida) sounds polished and professional. Save casual speech (반말) for close friends and people clearly younger than you — using it too early comes across as rude.
Polite Phrases to Open and Close Your Introduction
A complete Korean self-introduction is wrapped in two set phrases that you should simply memorize. Open with 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo, “hello”), then give your details, and finish with one of these closers:
- 만나서 반갑습니다 (mannaseo bangapseumnida) — “Nice to meet you.” Friendly and appropriate almost anywhere.
- 잘 부탁드립니다 (jal butak-deurimnida) — literally “please treat me well,” this is the classic closing line in Korea. It signals humility and a hope for a good relationship, and it is expected in classrooms, workplaces, and group settings.
How to Talk About Your Hobbies and Interests
Adding a hobby makes your introduction feel human instead of robotic. The word for hobby is 취미 (chwimi), and the pattern is 제 취미는 ___이에요/예요 (je chwimi-neun ___ieyo/yeyo, “my hobby is ___”). For example, 제 취미는 요리예요 (“my hobby is cooking”) or 제 취미는 독서예요 (“my hobby is reading”). You can also use a verb: 저는 등산을 좋아해요 (jeoneun deungsaneul joahaeyo, “I like hiking”). One genuine detail here is what people actually remember about you.
Introducing Yourself in a Business or Interview Setting
In a professional context, lean on the formal -입니다 endings and lead with your company or role. A typical business introduction sounds like: 안녕하세요. 저는 마야입니다. ABC 회사에서 마케팅을 담당하고 있습니다. 잘 부탁드립니다. (“Hello. I’m Maya. I handle marketing at ABC company. I look forward to working with you.”) The phrase ___에서 일합니다 (eseo ilhamnida, “I work at ___”) and ___을/를 담당하고 있습니다 (“I’m in charge of ___”) are the building blocks you will reuse constantly in work settings.
A Note on Bowing and First-Meeting Etiquette
How you carry yourself matters as much as the words. When you introduce yourself in Korean, a small, respectful nod or bow from the waist accompanies your greeting — deeper and slower in formal situations, lighter among peers. If you exchange a business card or a small item, offer and receive it with both hands (or your right hand supported by your left), which is a sign of respect. These quiet gestures tell a Korean speaker that you understand the culture, not just the vocabulary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 자기소개 mean?
자기소개 (jagi-sogae) literally means “self-introduction.” It is the word Koreans use for the short personal introduction you give when meeting new people, starting a class, or joining a team — exactly the skill this guide walks you through.
How do you respond when someone introduces themselves?
The simplest natural reply is 만나서 반갑습니다 (“nice to meet you”). You can also mirror them with your own brief introduction. A warm 네, 안녕하세요 (“yes, hello”) with a nod is perfectly polite while you gather your words.
Is it rude to ask someone’s age in Korea?
Not the way it can feel in the West. Age often comes up early because it determines the level of speech and the form of address two people use with each other. Being asked your age during an introduction is normal and usually a sign the other person wants to speak to you correctly and respectfully.
Practice Tips for Your Korean Introduction
- Write it out with your real information and practice reading it aloud until it flows naturally.
- Record yourself and compare to native pronunciation on YouTube or a resource like KoreanClass101.
- Use it for real — language exchange apps like HelloTalk give you instant opportunities to introduce yourself to native speakers.
- Don’t memorize a script robotically — understand what each piece means so you can mix and match depending on the situation.
Your self-introduction is the first Korean most people will ever hear you speak. It doesn’t have to be perfect — it just has to be yours. 화이팅!