When you start learning Korean, 자기소개 - self-introduction - is one of the first things that comes up. It’s practical, it’s immediate, and it’s something you’ll use long before you finish your first course.

자기소개 (ja-gi-so-gae) simply means “introducing yourself.” In Korean culture, a good first impression matters. Knowing how to say who you are, where you’re from, and why you’re learning Korean goes a long way - whether you’re meeting someone new, joining a Korean class, or just practicing with a language partner.

This guide gives you a solid script, explains how each sentence works, and shows you how to make it your own.

The Core Sentences

A basic Korean self-introduction only needs five or six sentences. Start here.

안녕하세요. Hello. / Nice to meet you.

저는 [name]이에요 / 예요. I am [name].

저는 [country] 사람이에요. I am from [country].

저는 [job or student status]이에요 / 예요. I am a [student / teacher / office worker].

저는 한국어를 공부하고 있어요. I am studying Korean.

만나서 반가워요. Nice to meet you.

These six lines cover everything you need for a first introduction. That’s it. Don’t try to add more until these feel natural.

A Note on 이에요 vs. 예요

This trips up a lot of beginners, so it’s worth explaining clearly.

Both 이에요 and 예요 mean “am / is / are.” The one you use depends on the last sound of the word before it.

• If the word ends in a consonant → use 이에요

           –학생이에요 (I am a student) - 학생 ends in ㅇ

• If the word ends in a vowel → use 예요

           –의사예요 (I am a doctor) - 의사 ends in ㅏ

For names: 저는 Sarah예요 (Sarah ends in a vowel sound). 저는 Jack이에요 (Jack ends in a consonant sound - the ㄱ).

Full Example Script

Here is a complete introduction using the sentences above.

안녕하세요. 저는 Sarah예요. 저는 미국 사람이에요. 저는 대학생이에요. 저는 한국어를 공부하고 있어요. 만나서 반가워요.

Hello. I am Sarah. I am American. I am a university student. I am studying Korean. Nice to meet you.

Read it out loud several times. Then swap in your own name, country, and occupation. That’s your introduction.

Useful Vocabulary

Here are some words you might need to fill in the blanks.

Making It Your Own

Once the core script feels comfortable, you can add one or two more sentences. These are the most common additions.

Why you’re learning Korean:

저는 K-드라마를 좋아해서 한국어를 배우고 있어요. I am learning Korean because I like K-dramas.

저는 한국에 가고 싶어서 한국어를 공부해요. I am studying Korean because I want to go to Korea.

Your hobbies:

저는 음악 듣는 것을 좋아해요. I like listening to music.

저는 요리하는 것을 좋아해요. I like cooking.

저는 영화 보는 것을 좋아해요. I like watching movies.

Pick one or two that apply to you. A longer introduction is not always better - a short, confident one makes a stronger impression than a long, uncertain one.

Extended Example

Here is a slightly longer version that includes hobbies and a reason for learning Korean.

안녕하세요. 저는 Tom이에요. 저는 영국 사람이에요. 저는 회사원이에요. 저는 K-드라마를 좋아해서 한국어를 배우고 있어요. 음악 듣는 것도 좋아해요. 만나서 반가워요.

Hello. I am Tom. I am from the UK. I am an office worker. I am learning Korean because I like K-dramas. I also like listening to music. Nice to meet you.

Notice how natural that sounds with just a couple of extra sentences. Keep it under ten sentences at first. That is a reasonable target for a beginner introduction.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Saying 나는 instead of 저는. Both mean “I,” but 나는 is casual. 저는 is polite. In a first introduction, always use 저는.

Skipping 만나서 반가워요. This sentence - “nice to meet you” - is expected at the end of a first introduction. Leaving it out feels abrupt. Don’t skip it.

Reading too fast. Pronunciation matters more than speed. Speak slowly and clearly. Native speakers will appreciate it far more than a fast but mumbled introduction.

Translating word for word from English. Korean sentence structure is different. Don’t try to build sentences by translating directly from English - use the templates in this guide and fill in the blanks.

How to Practice

Say it every day. Write your introduction on a piece of paper. Read it out loud each morning until you can say it from memory without looking.

Record yourself. Play it back and compare it to native speakers on YouTube or Naver Dictionary. Your ear will catch mistakes your eyes miss.

Use it. If you have access to a Korean language exchange app or community, try using your introduction there. Even a written message counts as practice.

The goal is not perfection. The goal is being understood and sounding confident. Once your introduction feels automatic, everything else in Korean gets easier because you stop worrying about what to say first.

What Comes Next

After your self-introduction, the natural next step is learning how to answer follow-up questions. Koreans often ask how old you are, where you work or study, and what you think of Korean food. Our beginner Korean course covers these conversations from the ground up. Join the waitlist to be notified when we begin.