Learn How to Introduce Yourself in Korean
Learning how to introduce yourself in Korean is one of the best places to start if you’re a beginner.
With just three simple Korean expressions, you can say hello, tell someone your name, and say “Nice to meet you” naturally.
In this lesson, you’ll learn a simple Korean self-introduction that you can use when meeting Korean friends, classmates, coworkers, or people while traveling in Korea.
Even if you’ve never studied Korean before, you can follow along. Listen to each expression, repeat it out loud, and practice the full introduction at the end.
Table of Contents
How to Introduce Yourself in Korean
A basic Korean self-introduction can be as simple as these three expressions:
| Korean | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| 안녕하세요 | annyeonghaseyo | Hello |
| 저는 조이입니다 | jeoneun Joi-imnida | I’m Joey |
| 반가워요 | bangawoyo | Nice to meet you |
Put them together:
안녕하세요. 저는 조이입니다. 반가워요.
“Hello. I’m Joey. Nice to meet you.”
That’s already enough to introduce yourself in many everyday situations in Korea.
Step 1: Say Hello in Korean — 안녕하세요
The easiest way to begin your Korean introduction is:
🔊 Listen: 안녕하세요
안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo) means “Hello.”
It is one of the most useful Korean expressions for beginners because it works in many everyday situations.
You can use 안녕하세요 when:
- meeting someone for the first time
- greeting a shop or café employee
- talking to a neighbor
- meeting a new friend
- greeting a teacher or coworker
If you’re visiting Korea, you’ll probably hear and use 안녕하세요 every day.
Is 안녕하세요 polite?
Yes. 안녕하세요 is a polite greeting and is appropriate in most everyday situations.
There is also the casual expression 안녕 (annyeong), but this is normally used with close friends, children, or people you’re already comfortable speaking casually with.
If you’re a beginner and aren’t sure which one to use, 안녕하세요 is the safer choice.
Step 2: Say Your Name in Korean
Next, let’s tell the other person your name.
🔊 Listen: 저는 조이입니다
저는 조이입니다.
Jeoneun Joi-imnida.
This means:
“I’m Joey.”
You can replace 조이 with your own name.
The basic pattern is:
저는 + [your name] + 입니다
What does 저는 mean?
저는 (jeoneun) can be understood as “I” or “as for me” in this sentence.
It consists of:
저 (jeo) = I / me, polite form
는 (neun) = topic particle
You don’t need to master Korean particles yet. For now, remember the useful pattern:
저는 ___입니다.
Korean Self-Introduction Examples
If your name is Sarah:
🔊 Listen: 저는 사라입니다
저는 사라입니다.
Jeoneun Sara-imnida.
“I’m Sarah.”
If your name is David:
🔊 Listen: 저는 데이비드입니다
저는 데이비드입니다.
Jeoneun Deibideu-imnida.
“I’m David.”
Now try saying it with your own name:
저는 ______입니다.
Step 3: Say “Nice to Meet You” in Korean
After introducing your name, you can say:
🔊 Listen: 반가워요
반가워요 (bangawoyo) means:
“Nice to meet you.”
It’s a friendly, polite expression you can use when meeting someone.
Try saying it again:
반가워요.
Another Way to Say Nice to Meet You
You may also hear:
🔊 Listen: 만나서 반가워요
만나서 반가워요 (mannaseo bangawoyo) literally carries the sense of being glad to meet someone and is another natural way to say “Nice to meet you.”
For a very simple beginner introduction, however, 반가워요 is easy to remember and use.
Put Your Korean Self-Introduction Together
Now let’s combine everything you’ve learned.
🔊 Listen: 안녕하세요. 저는 조이입니다. 반가워요.
안녕하세요.
Hello.
저는 조이입니다.
I’m Joey.
반가워요.
Nice to meet you.
So the complete introduction is:
안녕하세요. 저는 조이입니다. 반가워요.
Replace Joey with your own name and you have your first Korean self-introduction.
Korean Self-Introduction Template
Use this template whenever you practice:
안녕하세요. 저는 [이름]입니다. 반가워요.
Hello. I’m [name]. Nice to meet you.
For example:
안녕하세요. 저는 사라입니다. 반가워요.
“Hello. I’m Sarah. Nice to meet you.”
Real-Life Korean Conversation
Here’s how these expressions can sound in a simple conversation between two people meeting for the first time.
Person A:
안녕하세요.
Annyeonghaseyo.
Hello.
Person B:
안녕하세요.
Annyeonghaseyo.
Hello.
Person A:
저는 조이입니다. 반가워요.
Jeoneun Joi-imnida. Bangawoyo.
I’m Joey. Nice to meet you.
Person B:
저는 마이클입니다. 반가워요.
Jeoneun Maikeul-imnida. Bangawoyo.
I’m Michael. Nice to meet you.
This is short, simple, and useful for beginner Korean learners.
Korean Culture Tip: Bowing When You Say Hello
When meeting someone in Korea for the first time, you may notice people giving a small bow while saying 안녕하세요.
You don’t usually need a deep bow for an ordinary greeting. A small, polite bow is commonly enough in everyday situations.
Handshakes are also used, particularly in business or more formal introductions.
As a beginner, you don’t need to overthink it. A friendly expression, a small bow, and 안녕하세요 can make a polite first impression.
Quick Reference: Korean Self-Introduction Phrases
| Korean | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 안녕하세요 | annyeonghaseyo | Hello |
| 저는 ___입니다 | jeoneun ___ imnida | I’m ___ |
| 반가워요 | bangawoyo | Nice to meet you |
| 만나서 반가워요 | mannaseo bangawoyo | Nice to meet you |
Save these four expressions and practice them until you can say them without looking.
Common Beginner Mistakes
1. Forgetting to Replace the Name
Don’t memorize 저는 조이입니다 as one fixed expression.
The useful structure is:
저는 + NAME + 입니다
So if your name is Emma:
저는 엠마입니다.
2. Using 안녕 With Everyone
안녕 is casual.
When meeting someone for the first time, 안녕하세요 is usually a more appropriate beginner choice.
3. Trying to Speak Too Fast
Korean pronunciation may feel unfamiliar at first. Don’t try to match a native speaker’s speed immediately.
Practice each part separately:
안녕하세요.
저는 ___입니다.
반가워요.
Then combine them once each expression feels comfortable.
Mini Quiz: Can You Introduce Yourself in Korean?
Let’s check what you’ve learned.
1. How do you say “Hello” politely in Korean?
A. 고마워요
B. 안녕하세요
C. 미안해요
Answer: B. 안녕하세요
2. Which pattern means “I’m [name]”?
A. 저는 ___입니다
B. 안녕하세요 ___
C. 반가워요 ___
Answer: A. 저는 ___입니다
3. What does 반가워요 mean?
A. Thank you
B. Goodbye
C. Nice to meet you
Answer: C. Nice to meet you
Final Challenge
Without looking above, try introducing yourself in Korean:
안녕하세요. 저는 ______입니다. 반가워요.
If you can say the whole sentence, you’ve just completed a basic self-introduction in Korean.
Final Review
Today you learned how to introduce yourself in Korean using simple expressions that beginners can start using immediately.
Remember these three:
안녕하세요 — Hello
저는 ___입니다 — I’m ___
반가워요 — Nice to meet you
And your complete Korean introduction is:
안녕하세요. 저는 ___입니다. 반가워요.
Practice it several times with your own name. The goal isn’t to speak perfectly on your first try. It’s to become comfortable enough that the words come naturally when you meet someone.
Want to learn Korean words you can use around the house? Study 20 essential Korean home vocabulary words for rooms, furniture, and everyday household items.👇
Keep Learning Korean with HYUZ
This lesson is part of the HYUZ Korean beginner series.
Watch the video lesson, listen to the Korean pronunciation, and repeat each expression out loud. Short, consistent practice will help you become more comfortable speaking Korean in real situations.
Continue with the next HYUZ Korean lesson to build your vocabulary and everyday conversation skills step by step.
