What it means
이름 means name, -이 is a subject marker, 뭐 means what, 예요 is polite is. The standard way to ask someone's name.
Nuance & when to use
For more formal speech: 성함이 어떻게 되세요? (seonghami eotteoke doeseyo?) — 성함 is the honorific word for name. Use 이름이 뭐예요? in everyday polite settings.
⚠ Common mistake
Don't drop the subject marker -이: saying 이름 뭐예요? sounds incomplete. Keep it: 이름이 뭐예요?
Example sentences
안녕하세요! 이름이 뭐예요?
Annyeonghaseyo! Ireumi mwoyeyo?
Hello! What is your name?
저는 민준이에요. 이름이 뭐예요?
Jeoneun Minjuniyeyo. Ireumi mwoyeyo?
I'm Minjun. What is your name?
이름이 뭐예요? 저는 소라라고 해요.
Ireumi mwoyeyo? Jeoneun Sorago haeyo.
What's your name? I'm called Sora.
이름이 뭐예요? 어디서 왔어요?
Ireumi mwoyeyo? Eodiseo wasseoyo?
What's your name? Where are you from?
See also
성함이 어떻게 되세요?
저는 ~이에요/예요
반갑습니다
FAQ
When is this used?
For more formal speech: 성함이 어떻게 되세요? (seonghami eotteoke doeseyo?) — 성함 is the honorific word for name. Use 이름이 뭐예요? in everyday polite settings.
What's a common mistake?
Don't drop the subject marker -이: saying 이름 뭐예요? sounds incomplete. Keep it: 이름이 뭐예요?
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