Korean for English speakers Street · Lesson 0

First greetings

First greetings in Korean — 안녕하세요 (Hello, polite) — and exchange names with 이름이 뭐예요?

Conversation

  1. Magicat Magicat

    안녕하세요.

    Annyeonghaseyo.

    Hello.

    Tip: <안녕하세요> = formal way to say "Hello"

  2. Yaya Yaya

    어? 고양이? 안녕! 이름이 뭐예요?

    Eo? Goyangi? Annyeong! Ireumi mwoyeyo?

    Uh, a cat ? Hi! What's your name?

    Tip: <어?> = interjection to express surprise with curiosity <고양이> = cat <안녕> = informal way to say "Hello" <이름> = name [Note] In Korean, it's not necessary to say words like 'you' or 'your' in sentences, when it's clear that in this situation "I'm talking to you". <뭐> = what

  3. Magicat Magicat

    매지캣이에요. 반가워요.

    Maejikaesieyo. Bangawoyo.

    I'm Magicat. Nice to meet you.

    Tip: <N이에요/예요> = verb "to be" (in present tense) [Note] In Korean, we conjugate this verb according to the syllable before. If it has a final consonant (ㅅ of 캣), we use -이에요. If not (like 뭐), -예요. <반가워요> = formal way to say "Nice to meet you"

  4. Yaya Yaya

    저도 반가워요.

    Jeodo bangawoyo.

    Nice to meet you, too.

    Tip: <저> = I (subject) <N도> = suffix used to express "too"

Common questions

Quick answers about this lesson's grammar and vocabulary.

How do you greet in Korean?

안녕하세요 (polite, universal) or 안녕 (casual, friends only). Used at any time of day.

How do you ask 'what's your name?' in Korean?

이름이 뭐예요? = 'what is your name?'. 이름 = name. Or more formal: 성함이 어떻게 되세요?

How do you respond?

저는 + name + 이에요/예요: 저는 마이크예요 = 'I'm Mike'. Or just say your name + 입니다 (formal).

Test yourself

Pick the English translation for each line from this lesson. Wrong answers are pulled from other Korean lessons.

4 quick questions on what you just heard.

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