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.”
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!