Greetings & Introductions
Use these essential phrases to confidently introduce yourself, ask questions, and make polite small talk when meeting someone new.
Key Phrases
안녕?
casualannyeong?
Hi!
Only use this with close friends or people obviously younger than you.
안녕하세요.
neutralannyeonghaseyo.
Hello.
The standard, polite greeting for most everyday situations.
이름이 뭐야?
casualireumi mwoya?
What is your name?
Casual form, use only with people clearly your age or younger.
이름이 뭐예요?
neutralireumi mwoyeyo?
What is your name?
The standard polite way to ask a peer's name.
나는 제임스야.
casualnaneun jeimseuya.
I am James.
Use with friends. If your name ends in a consonant, use -이야 (-iya) instead of -야 (-ya).
저는 제임스예요.
neutraljeoneun jeimseuyeyo.
I am James.
Standard polite self-introduction. If your name ends in a consonant, use -이에요 (-ieyo).
어디에서 왔어?
casualeodieseo wasseo?
Where are you from?
Casual form for asking where a friend is from.
어디에서 왔어요?
neutraleodieseo wasseoyo?
Where are you from?
저는 미국에서 왔어요.
neutraljeoneun migugeseo wasseoyo.
I am from the US.
만나서 반가워요.
neutralmannaseo bangawoyo.
Nice to meet you.
A very common and polite way to say nice to meet you.
처음 뵙겠습니다.
politecheoeum boepgetseumnida.
How do you do?
A formal set phrase used when meeting someone in a business or formal setting.
제 친구 수진이에요.
neutralje chingu sujinieyo.
This is my friend, Sujin.