How to Introduce Yourself in Korean — Beginner’s Script

Learning how to introduce yourself in Korean is the single most powerful first step you can take as a beginner — and the good news is you can master a complete self-introduction script in one sitting, even if you have never seen a single Korean character before today. Korean may look completely foreign at first glance, but the alphabet (called 한글 (hangeul) [HAN-geul] — “the Korean alphabet”) was actually designed to be learned quickly, and the self-introduction phrases you need are short, rhythmic, and surprisingly easy to memorize.

Think about the very first thing you do when you meet someone new — you say your name, maybe where you are from, and perhaps what you do. Korean introductions follow that same natural flow. In fact, Korean people place enormous value on first greetings, so knowing even a few polite phrases will instantly earn you respect and warm smiles. This is not just a language lesson; it is your entry ticket into one of the world’s most vibrant cultures.

In this beginner’s script, you will get every phrase you need written in Korean characters, spelled out in romanization so you can read it, broken down with easy English sounds so you can pronounce it, and explained in plain English so you truly understand what you are saying. Let’s begin — 시작해봐요 (sijakhaebwayo) [shi-JAK-hey-bwa-yo] — “Let’s get started!”

Step 1 — Say Hello the Right Way

Every Korean self-introduction begins with a greeting. The most important word you will ever learn in Korean is 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo) [ahn-NYUNG-ha-seh-yo] — “Hello / How are you?” This is the standard polite greeting used in virtually every situation — meeting a new classmate, walking into a shop, or greeting a colleague. The ㄴ sound at the start is like the “n” in “new,” and the 하세요 ending adds politeness, a concept we will come back to. Bow your head slightly when you say it — that small gesture means everything in Korean culture.

After your greeting, you will want to say 만나서 반갑습니다 (mannaseo bangapseumnida) [man-NA-suh BAN-gap-seum-ni-da] — “Nice to meet you.” This phrase is used specifically when meeting someone for the first time, so it fits perfectly into your introduction script. The double consonant ㅂ in 반갑 gives it a slightly crisp “b” sound — think of saying “bun” but clipping it short.

Step 2 — Say Your Name in Korean

The phrase for giving your name is beautifully simple. You say 저는 (jeoneun) [JUH-neun] — “As for me / I am” and then attach 이에요 (ieyo) [ee-EH-yo] — “am / is” after your name. So the full pattern looks like this: 저는 [이름]이에요 (jeoneun [ireum]ieyo) [JUH-neun (your name) ee-EH-yo] — “I am [name].” For example, if your name is Sarah: 저는 사라이에요 (jeoneun saraieyo) [JUH-neun sa-RA-ee-EH-yo] — “I am Sarah.” Notice that 저는 is the humble, polite form of “I” — Korean has different levels of formality, and using the polite form when introducing yourself is always the right choice.

Step 3 — Tell Them Where You Are From

To say your nationality or country, use 저는 [나라] 사람이에요 (jeoneun [nara] saramieyo) [JUH-neun (country) SA-ram-ee-EH-yo] — “I am a [country] person.” The key word here is 사람 (saram) [SA-ram] — “person / people.” So an American would say 저는 미국 사람이에요 (jeoneun miguk saramieyo) [JUH-neun MI-guk SA-ram-ee-EH-yo] — “I am an American person.” A British person would say 저는 영국 사람이에요 (jeoneun yeongguk saramieyo) [JUH-neun YUNG-guk SA-ram-ee-EH-yo] — “I am a British person.” The pattern never changes — only the country name does, which makes this incredibly easy to adapt.

Step 4 — Share What You Do

Telling someone your job or role is a natural next step in any Korean self-introduction. The structure follows the same pattern: 저는 [직업]이에요 (jeoneun [jigeop]ieyo) [JUH-neun (job) ee-EH-yo] — “I am a [job].” Here are three useful examples: 저는 학생이에요 (jeoneun haksaengieyo) [JUH-neun HAK-seng-ee-EH-yo] — “I am a student.” / 저는 선생님이에요 (jeoneun seonsaengnim-ieyo) [JUH-neun SUN-seng-nim-ee-EH-yo] — “I am a teacher.” / 저는 회사원이에요 (jeoneun hoesawon-ieyo) [JUH-neun HWE-sa-won-ee-EH-yo] — “I am an office worker.” If you are still a student, 학생 (haksaeng) [HAK-seng] — “student” is probably the single most useful word you will use in Korea.