Korean Name Structure Explained
10-Second Answer
Korean names put the family name (surname) FIRST, followed by the given name — 김민수 (Kim Minsu) means the surname is 김 (Kim) and the given name is 민수 (Minsu), not the other way around. Given names are usually two syllables, often chosen to carry a meaning, sometimes shared with siblings via a generational syllable.
The Order: Surname First
| Name | Surname | Given name |
|---|---|---|
| 김민수 (Kim Minsu) | 김 (Kim) | 민수 (Minsu) |
| 박지민 (Park Jimin) | 박 (Park) | 지민 (Jimin) |
| 이수진 (Lee Sujin) | 이 (Lee) | 수진 (Sujin) |
When Koreans introduce themselves in English, they often flip the order to match Western convention ("Minsu Kim") — but on Korean ID cards, official documents, and in Korean speech, surname always comes first.
Given Names Are Usually Two Syllables
Most Korean given names are built from two syllables, each often carrying its own meaning (traditionally from Chinese characters, 한자). 민수, for example, could combine characters meaning something like "clever" and "excellent" — parents historically chose characters for meaning and sound together.
One of the two syllables is sometimes a 돌림자 (dollimja) — a generational name syllable shared by siblings or cousins of the same generation in a family, so 민수 and 민지 might be siblings sharing 민.
Addressing Someone by Name
Using someone's bare given name (without a title) is casual — reserved for close friends and people younger than you, tying directly into the 반말/존댓말 system covered elsewhere on this site. For anyone else, a title or honorific attaches: 민수 씨 (Minsu-ssi, polite-neutral), 김 선생님 (Teacher Kim), or a role title alone.
민수야, 어디야?
minsuya, eodiya?
Minsu, where are you?
Casual — close friend, name + 야 (vocative for vowel-ending/consonant-adjusted names).
민수 씨, 회의 시작할까요?
minsu ssi, hoeui sijakhalkkayo?
Minsu, shall we start the meeting?
Polite workplace register — name + 씨.
Common Mistakes
Mistake #1 — Calling someone by surname alone
'Mr. Kim' works in English; addressing someone as just 김 씨 in Korean can sound distant or even slightly blunt in many contexts — using the given name (with 씨) or a role title is more common.
Mistake #2 — Assuming the given name is one syllable
Most Korean given names are two syllables together (like 민수), not a single standalone syllable — though modern one-syllable given names do exist too.
Mini Quiz
1. In 박지민 (Park Jimin), what is the surname?
2. What is a 돌림자 (dollimja)?
3. How should you generally address a Korean coworker's given name politely?
Related Knowledge
Learn Next
Common Korean Surnames Explained
You now know how names are structured — see why so many of them start with just a handful of surnames.
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Start today's study →Last updated: 2026-08-10 · Written and reviewed by a native Korean speaker.