Meaning
To inquire about someone's name.
Cultural Background
Asking for a name is often a precursor to establishing seniority. Once names and ages are known, the speakers can decide who uses 'Banmal' (casual) and who uses 'Jondetmal' (polite). In business, you rarely ask 'What is your name?'. Instead, you exchange business cards ({名刺|명함}). The card does the 'asking' for you. Historically, some people had 'childhood names' ({兒名|아명}) and 'adult names'. Asking for a true name was sometimes considered too personal. On apps like KakaoTalk, people often use nicknames. Asking for a 'real name' ({實名|실명}) is a sign that the relationship is moving from online to offline.
The 'How' is better than 'What'
Instead of 'What is your name?', Koreans often say 'How does your name become?' (성함이 어떻게 되세요?). It sounds much softer.
Don't forget the particle
In formal writing, always use '이름을'. In casual speech, you can drop it: '이름 뭐야?'.
Meaning
To inquire about someone's name.
The 'How' is better than 'What'
Instead of 'What is your name?', Koreans often say 'How does your name become?' (성함이 어떻게 되세요?). It sounds much softer.
Don't forget the particle
In formal writing, always use '이름을'. In casual speech, you can drop it: '이름 뭐야?'.
Wait for the right time
Don't rush to ask a name the second you see someone. A brief greeting first is more natural.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 묻다 (polite present tense).
저는 친구의 이름을 ______.
묻다 is a ㄷ-irregular verb, so it becomes 물어요 in the polite present tense.
Which sentence is the most appropriate when asking an elderly person's name?
할머니, ______?
'성함' is the honorific for '이름', and '어떻게 되세요' is the polite way to ask.
Complete the dialogue naturally.
A: 저기... 실례지만 이름을 ______ 될까요? B: 네, 저는 김지수라고 합니다.
'-어 보다' (to try) makes the request sound more polite and natural.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: Filling out a form at a government office.
'성명' is used in official and administrative contexts.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercises저는 친구의 이름을 ______.
묻다 is a ㄷ-irregular verb, so it becomes 물어요 in the polite present tense.
할머니, ______?
'성함' is the honorific for '이름', and '어떻게 되세요' is the polite way to ask.
A: 저기... 실례지만 이름을 ______ 될까요? B: 네, 저는 김지수라고 합니다.
'-어 보다' (to try) makes the request sound more polite and natural.
Situation: Filling out a form at a government office.
'성명' is used in official and administrative contexts.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt is polite enough for peers or people younger than you, but for elders, '성함이 어떻게 되세요?' is much better.
It's a ㄷ-irregular verb. This is a common pattern in Korean for verbs like 걷다 (walk) and 듣다 (listen).
No! Never use honorifics for yourself. Use '제 이름은...' or '제 성명은...'.
이름 is the general word for name. 성명 is more formal and usually refers to the full name (Surname + Given name) on documents.
You can say '이름이 뭐야?' or '이름이 뭐니?'.
Yes, but usually you exchange business cards first. If you didn't get a card, you can ask politely at the end.
You can say '죄송하지만 성함을 다시 한번 말씀해 주시겠어요?' (I'm sorry, but could you tell me your name once more?).
Yes, '길을 묻다' is a very common phrase for asking the way.
No, you can use it to ask any question to an elder, like '하나만 여쭤봐도 될까요?' (May I ask you one thing?).
Rarely. It's better to avoid '당신' as it can sound aggressive or overly intimate. Just use the person's title or no pronoun at all.
Related Phrases
이름을 부르다
similarTo call someone's name
자기소개를 하다
builds onTo introduce oneself
성함을 여쭈다
specialized formTo ask a name (honorific)
이름을 짓다
relatedTo name someone/something
