이름을 말하다
ireumeul malhada
to say one's name
Phrase in 30 Seconds
The essential way to state your name in any Korean social or official setting.
- Means: To explicitly say or declare your name to someone else.
- Used in: Self-introductions, check-ins, and answering 'What is your name?'
- Don't confuse: Don't use this for elders; use the honorific '성함을 말씀하시다' instead.
Explanation at your level:
मतलब
To state or declare one's own name.
सांस्कृतिक पृष्ठभूमि
Avoid using a person's name directly unless you are older or the same age and close. Use titles like 'Teacher', 'Manager', or 'Older Brother/Sister' instead. When stating your name in a formal setting, it is common to provide your full name including the surname. Surnames like Kim, Lee, and Park are very common. The concept of 'Cheonmyeong' or the importance of names in lineage means that some families still go to professional naming centers to choose auspicious names for babies. In the past, children were sometimes given 'ugly' names to ward off bad spirits, but they would '이름을 말하다' (state their real name) only in official contexts.
The 'Eul' Drop
In casual conversation, Koreans almost always drop the '을'. Just say '이름 말해' to sound more like a native.
Honorifics Matter
Never use '이름' when asking for the name of someone significantly older than you. It sounds like you are treating them as a child.
मतलब
To state or declare one's own name.
The 'Eul' Drop
In casual conversation, Koreans almost always drop the '을'. Just say '이름 말해' to sound more like a native.
Honorifics Matter
Never use '이름' when asking for the name of someone significantly older than you. It sounds like you are treating them as a child.
Surname First
Always say your family name first. If your name is John Smith, in a Korean context, you might say 'Smith John'.
Clarity
Korean has many similar-sounding names (e.g., Min-su, Min-ju). When saying your name, speak slowly and clearly.
खुद को परखो
Fill in the correct object marker.
이름___ 말해 주세요.
'이름' ends in a consonant, so it takes '을'.
Choose the most polite way to ask a teacher for their name.
선생님, ...
'성함' and '말씀하다' are the honorific forms required for a teacher.
Complete the dialogue at a hospital reception.
간호사: 예약하셨나요? ___ 말씀해 주세요. 환자: 네, 김민수입니다.
In a hospital, the nurse will ask for your '성함' (honorific name).
Match the phrase to the situation.
Which phrase fits a police officer demanding ID?
'이름 대다' is a forceful way to demand a name, typical of authorities.
🎉 स्कोर: /4
विज़ुअल लर्निंग टूल्स
Politeness Levels for 'Saying a Name'
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल
14 सवाल이름 is the neutral word for 'name'. 성함 is the honorific version used to show respect to the person you are talking about.
Yes, but in formal situations, it is more polite to use the humble verb '말씀드리다'.
This is a more colloquial way to say 'give a name', often used at restaurants for waitlists or by police.
The most common way is '제 이름은 [Name]입니다' or '[Name]이라고 합니다'.
In Korea, it's standard to give your full name (Surname + Given Name) in almost all initial introductions.
성명 (姓名) is a formal Sino-Korean word for 'full name', usually found on forms and legal documents.
No, '이야기하다' implies a longer conversation. For a single piece of info like a name, '말하다' is correct.
Use '성함이 어떻게 되세요?' (How does your name become?)
In writing, yes. In speaking, it is often omitted for a more natural flow.
Koreans don't have middle names. You can either omit it or include it as part of your given name.
No, animals cannot '말하다'. You would use '소리를 내다' (make a sound) or '짖다' (bark).
Yes, '브랜드 이름을 말하다' is perfectly fine.
They are homonyms with different origins. Context usually makes it clear which one is meant.
A common slangy way to say 'tell me' is '불러 봐' (Try calling/singing it out).
संबंधित मुहावरे
자기소개
similarSelf-introduction
성함을 대다
specialized formTo provide a name (honorific)
이름을 짓다
builds onTo make/create a name
이름이 나다
figurativeTo become famous
이름을 더럽히다
contrastTo tarnish one's name/reputation
कहाँ इस्तेमाल करें
First day of class
Teacher: 한 명씩 이름을 말해 보세요.
Student: 제 이름은 김민수입니다.
Doctor's Office
Nurse: 접수를 위해 이름을 말씀해 주세요.
Patient: 이영희라고 합니다.
Meeting a friend's friend
Friend: 서로 이름 말하고 인사해!
Me: 안녕, 나는 지수야.
Job Interview
Interviewer: 먼저 성함을 말씀해 주시겠습니까?
Applicant: 네, 박준호라고 합니다.
Picking up a delivery
Delivery Person: 본인 확인을 위해 이름을 말해 주세요.
Me: 최유진입니다.
Police Checkpoint
Officer: 이름을 대세요.
Citizen: 김철수입니다. 무슨 일이죠?
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine a bell ringing (Ireum sounds like 'e-room') and you 'speak' to fill the room with your name.
Visual Association
A name tag with a speech bubble coming out of it. Inside the bubble is the word 'ME'.
Rhyme
이름을 말해 (Ireum-eul mal-hae), 친구가 돼 (Chingu-ga dwae) - Say your name, become a friend.
Story
You walk into a secret club. The guard asks for the password. You realize the password is just your name. You '이름을 말하다' and the golden doors open.
Word Web
चैलेंज
Go to a Korean cafe or restaurant and when they ask for a name for the order, clearly '이름을 말하세요' (say your name) in Korean.
In Other Languages
Decir el nombre
Korean requires different nouns/verbs based on social hierarchy, which Spanish lacks.
Dire son nom
French uses 'tu' vs 'vous' for politeness, but doesn't change the word for 'name' like Korean does.
Den Namen sagen
German case system (den Namen) is similar to Korean particles (이름을).
名前を言う (Namae o iu)
Japanese honorifics are complex but often map 1:1 with Korean concepts.
ذكر الاسم (Dhikr al-ism)
Arabic names are often longer and include lineage (bin/bint), making 'saying the name' a longer process.
说名字 (Shuō míngzì)
Chinese does not have the complex verb conjugations or honorific noun changes found in Korean.
Dizer o nome
Like other Romance languages, 'chamar-se' is the preferred social verb.
To say one's name
English uses 'My name is...' while Korean often uses 'I am called...' or 'I say my name'.
Easily Confused
Learners mix up 'saying' a name with 'calling' a name.
Use '말하다' when you are the one providing the name. Use '부르다' when you are calling someone to get their attention.
Writing vs Speaking.
In English, 'Give me your name' can mean write it or say it. In Korean, be specific: '말하다' for voice, '쓰다' for paper.
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल (14)
이름 is the neutral word for 'name'. 성함 is the honorific version used to show respect to the person you are talking about.
Yes, but in formal situations, it is more polite to use the humble verb '말씀드리다'.
This is a more colloquial way to say 'give a name', often used at restaurants for waitlists or by police.
The most common way is '제 이름은 [Name]입니다' or '[Name]이라고 합니다'.
In Korea, it's standard to give your full name (Surname + Given Name) in almost all initial introductions.
성명 (姓名) is a formal Sino-Korean word for 'full name', usually found on forms and legal documents.
No, '이야기하다' implies a longer conversation. For a single piece of info like a name, '말하다' is correct.
Use '성함이 어떻게 되세요?' (How does your name become?)
In writing, yes. In speaking, it is often omitted for a more natural flow.
Koreans don't have middle names. You can either omit it or include it as part of your given name.
No, animals cannot '말하다'. You would use '소리를 내다' (make a sound) or '짖다' (bark).
Yes, '브랜드 이름을 말하다' is perfectly fine.
They are homonyms with different origins. Context usually makes it clear which one is meant.
A common slangy way to say 'tell me' is '불러 봐' (Try calling/singing it out).
