Korean · People & Family
"Last name" in Korean: 성
성seong
Last name in Korean is 성 (seong). 성 means family name; 이름 may mean the given name or the full name according to context.
An everyday statement
제 성은 김이에요.je seongeun gimieyo.
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How to pronounce 성
Say it
seong
/sʌŋ/
성 (seong) has 1 Hangul syllable. 성 ends with a nasal ng sound. Keep that ending when reading the noun alone.
"Last name" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 성seong | Last name Basic dictionary noun. | Basic dictionary noun. |
| 성이 뭐예요?seongi mwoyeyo? | what is your surname? A useful combination with 성. | A useful combination with 성. |
| 성을seongeul | Last name (as an object) Use 을 when 성 is the object of an action. | Use 을 when 성 is the object of an action. |
How to use 성 in real life
- 1An everyday statement
제 성은 김이에요.
je seongeun gimieyo.
My surname is Kim.
This sentence uses 성 in the last name sense.
- 2A different situation
성이 뭐예요?
seongi mwoyeyo?
What is your surname?
This sentence uses 성 in the last name sense.
- 3A useful question or update
성부터 써 주세요.
seongbuteo sseo juseyo.
Please write the surname first.
This sentence uses 성 in the last name sense.
Mistakes English speakers make with 성
Incorrect: 성가 뭐예요?
Correct: 성이 뭐예요?
When practicing last name, use the correct particle or copula after 성; the final sound determines whether a linking consonant is needed.
Incorrect: 성예요.
Correct: 성이에요.
When practicing last name, when identifying something as 성, use 성이에요. The linking 이 follows a consonant-final noun.
Good to know
성 means family name; 이름 may mean the given name or the full name according to context. The combination 성이 뭐예요? (seongi mwoyeyo?) means what is your surname?.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led people and family study exercise: two sentences with 성
Partner
이 표현을 사용해서 한 문장 말해 볼까요?
i pyohyeoneul sayonghaeseo han munjang malhae bolkkayo?
Shall we say a sentence using this expression?
You
제 성은 김이에요.
je seongeun gimieyo.
My surname is Kim.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
성이 뭐예요?
seongi mwoyeyo?
What is your surname?
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"Last name" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Last name" in Korean
What does 성 mean in Korean?
Last name in Korean is 성 (seong). 성 means family name; 이름 may mean the given name or the full name according to context.
How do I use 성이 뭐예요??
성이 뭐예요? (seongi mwoyeyo?) means what is your surname?. 성 means family name; 이름 may mean the given name or the full name according to context.
Which object particle goes after 성?
The object form is 성을 because 성 ends in a consonant.
How is 성 pronounced?
성 (seong) has 1 Hangul syllable. 성 ends with a nasal ng sound. Keep that ending when reading the noun alone.
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