씨 (ssi) vs 님 (nim) — how to call people by name in Korean

In many countries, you can call a new coworker "Jimin" on day one. In Korea, that can feel too direct. Your Korean coworker may call you Name + 씨 instead. Here is how the system works.

First, which part is the name?

Korean names put the family name first. A Korea government guide explains that most names have three syllables: a one-syllable family name, then a two-syllable given name.

In the official romanization, 김 is Gim and 박 is Bak. But in English, you will usually see Kim and Park.

Here is the confusing part. Abroad, many Koreans switch the order and put the family name last. So "Jimin Kim" and "Kim Jimin" can be the same person. If you are not sure, ask: 성함이 어떻게 되세요? (seonghami eotteoke doeseyo?) — "May I ask your name?"

Some family names are longer, and some given names are shorter or longer. So it is better to ask than to guess.

When do I use 씨?

The Korean dictionary explains 씨 like this. It goes after the name of an adult and shows respect. But the dictionary also adds a warning. Outside formal or business situations, 씨 is hard to use for someone above you. People mostly use it for coworkers or for people younger or lower in position.

Note the space. In Korean writing, 씨 after a name is written with a space: 지민 씨, not 지민씨.

The National Institute of Korean Language gives this advice for the workplace. If a coworker has no title, you can add 씨 to the name. If a coworker is older, you can call them 선배님 (seonbaenim), "senior."

Never use 씨 with your own name. It shows respect, so it is only for other people. Say 저는 지민이에요, not 저는 지민 씨예요.

When do I use 님?

The dictionary says 님 shows more respect than 씨. You will see it in three places.

• After a job title. This is the most common way to address someone above you at work.
• After a name. You may see Name + 님 in banks, hospitals and online services: 김지민 님.
• After 고객 (gogaek, "customer"): 고객님 (gogaengnim). Staff use it to speak to you.

Here are titles you will hear often:

선생님 is not only for teachers. The dictionary also lists it as a respectful way to address an adult who is not young.

Some Korean companies now ask everyone to use Name + 님 for all coworkers, to make things flatter. Other companies keep job titles. Each workplace has its own custom, so listen to what your coworkers say first.

Easy mistakes

• Calling your boss 씨. With a manager or someone much older, Name + 씨 can sound rude. Use the title + 님.
• Using only the given name. 지민! is for close friends or younger people. With adults at work, add 씨 or 님.
• Adding 씨 to a title. The dictionary says 씨 goes after a name. So after a title like 과장, use 님: 과장님.
• Calling a stranger 씨. You do not know their name, so use 저기요. The dictionary says 저기요 is used to call someone you do not know well.

Why is it so complicated?

Korean speech often shows the relationship between two people. The words after a name do this job too. They tell everyone how close you are and who has the higher position.

The National Institute of Korean Language says there is no fixed rule for these words. They come from custom, and each workplace has its own style. So the best plan is simple: listen first, then copy. If your coworkers call the team leader 팀장님, you do the same.

Our article on 오빠, 형, 언니 and 누나 covers the family words people use with close friends. This article is the step before that. Use 씨 and 님 until someone invites you to be closer.

Quick check

1. Your new coworker is named 이수진. She has no title. You call her → 수진 씨 (or 이수진 씨)
2. Your team leader's name is 박민호. You call him → 팀장님
3. You want to ask a stranger on the street for directions. You start with → 저기요