How to Introduce Yourself in Korean

Self-introduction (자기소개) is one of the first things you'll need in Korean — meeting new people, starting a class, job interviews, or even casual encounters. Here's exactly what to say.

The Basic Template

A Korean self-introduction follows a predictable structure:

1. Greeting
2. Name
3. Nationality / Where you're from
4. Occupation or status
5. One personal detail (hobby, reason for learning Korean)
6. Closing phrase

Formal Self-Introduction

Use this at work, school orientations, or when meeting someone older:

안녕하십니까. 저는 [Name]입니다. (annyeonghasimnikka. jeoneun [Name]-imnida.) Hello. I am [Name].

미국에서 왔습니다. (miguk-eseo watseumnida.) I came from America.

대학생입니다. / 회사원입니다. (daehaksaeng-imnida. / hoesawon-imnida.) I am a college student. / I am an office worker.

한국어를 공부하고 있습니다. (hangugeo-reul gongbuhago itseumnida.) I am studying Korean.

잘 부탁드립니다. (jal butakdeurimnida.) Please take care of me. (standard closing)

Casual Self-Introduction

Use with people around your age in informal settings:

안녕하세요! 저는 [Name]이에요/예요. (annyeonghaseyo! jeoneun [Name]-ieyo/yeyo.) Hi! I'm [Name].

미국에서 왔어요. (miguk-eseo wasseoyo.) I'm from America.

대학생이에요. / 직장인이에요. (daehaksaeng-ieyo. / jikjangin-ieyo.) I'm a college student. / I work at a company.

한국 드라마를 좋아해서 한국어를 배우고 있어요. (hanguk deurama-reul joahaeseo hangugeo-reul baeugo isseoyo.) I like Korean dramas so I'm learning Korean.

잘 부탁해요! (jal butakhaeyo!) Nice to meet you! (casual closing)

Key Vocabulary

Countries

To say your nationality: Country + 사람 (saram = person)

• 미국 사람 (miguk saram) — American person
• 영국 사람 (yeongguk saram) — British person

Occupations

Hobbies

To say your hobby: [Hobby]을/를 좋아해요 (I like [hobby])

• 요리를 좋아해요 (I like cooking)
• 여행을 좋아해요 (I like traveling)

Common Mistakes

1. Saying your name wrong — Korean doesn't have some English sounds. Practice how your name sounds in Korean
2. Forgetting 잘 부탁합니다 — This closing phrase is culturally important. It roughly means "please be good to me" and shows humility
3. Using 나 instead of 저 — 나 (na) is casual "I." Use 저 (jeo) in introductions unless it's very informal
4. Overcomplicating it — A 30-second introduction is plenty. Don't try to say everything about yourself

Practice on Chamelingo

Self-introduction is covered in Chapter 2 on Chamelingo. You'll practice filling in introduction templates, recording your own self-introduction with audio comparison, and completing dialogue exercises where you introduce yourself in different social contexts.

Two grammar points power every self-introduction: the 이에요/예요 copula for saying "I am..." and the 은/는 topic marker for introducing a new topic about yourself. Master both with interactive exercises in our grammar reference.