1/12 Korean Names

DIALOG>> She changed her name.

She changed her name.

It's legal and everything.

What was wrong with Seung-eun?


RESPONSE>> Talk about how Korean names are made.

Koreans place a lot of weight on their names.
* place a lot of weight on: ~에 큰 의미를 부여하다.
ex> She places a lot of weight on appearance.

Korean names are usually three syllables, the first one being the family name.
* family name (= surname, last name): 성
* given name (= first name): 이름
ex> The family name is read first and then the given name.
* syllable: 음절
ex> How many syllables are there in that word?

The following two syllables make up the given name.

The UN Secretary General's surname is Ban and his given name is Ki-moon.

Korean names are based on Chinese characters.
ex> The movie is based on a true story.

There are pure Korean names that are not based on Chinese characters.
ex> She has such a pure heart.

Keep in mind that there are rare cases of a one-syllable first name or a two-syllable last name.
ex> Keep in mind that I'll come to pick you up at 7.

There are fortune tellers who professionally make names for people.


@ We should speak out about the matter more.  우리는 이 문제에 대해 더욱 목소리를 높여야 한다.

1. She does not place much weight on appearance.
2. You have the same given name as my friend.
3. This book is based on a true story.
4. Please keep in mind what I said.