님 (nim) is a Korean honorific used after another person’s name, job title, or role to show respect. Write it separately after a name, attach -님 directly to a job title or role, and leave a space between a family name and a title, as in 김 교수님.
1. What Does 님 (Nim) Mean in Korean?
님 (nim) is a respectful title used after another person’s name, job title, or role. It does not show gender, unlike English Mr. or Ms.
The English translation depends on the word before it.
- 담당자님이 곧 연락하실 거예요.
The person in charge will contact you soon. - 원장님께 질문이 있어요.
I have a question for the director.
In natural English, 님 is often not translated as a separate word. The respect is included in the Korean expression itself.
2. How to Use 님 After a Korean Name
Add 님 after a person’s name when you want to address or mention them respectfully.
- 강수빈 님이 수업을 신청했어요.
Kang Subin signed up for the class. - 문도윤 님께 확인 메일을 보냈어요.
I sent Moon Doyun a confirmation email. - 예린 님을 상담실로 안내했어요.
I showed Yerin to the consultation room.
님 is not part of the name. It is a respectful word added after it.
3. Full Name + 님 or Given Name + 님?
Both a full name and a given name can come before 님. The choice depends on the situation and how clearly the person needs to be identified.
Use a full name in reservations, class lists, and messages where several people may have similar names.
- 박하늘 님
Park Haneul + 님 - 박하늘 님, 예약이 확인됐어요.
Park Haneul, your reservation is confirmed. - 이준서 님이 오늘 행사에 와요.
Lee Junseo is coming to the event today.
Use a given name when everyone already knows who the person is.
- 하늘 님
Haneul + 님 - 하늘 님, 이쪽에 앉으세요.
Haneul, please sit here. - 준서 님은 커피를 좋아해요.
Junseo likes coffee.
4. Do You Put a Space Before 님?
Write a space between a person’s name and 님.
✅ Correct
- 김서아 님
Kim Seoa + 님 - 서아 님
Seoa + 님
❌ Incorrect
- 김서아님
Kim Seoa + 님 written without the required space
If a Korean particle follows 님, attach the particle directly to 님.
- 김서아 님이 전화했어요.
Kim Seoa called.
You may see 서아님 without a space in informal messages, comments, or usernames, but 서아 님 with a space is the standard spelling.
5. How to Use -님 with Korean Titles and Roles
When -님 follows a job title or role, attach it directly without a space.
The form without -님 names the job or role itself. Adding -님 shows respect when addressing or referring to the person who holds that position.
- 점장 → 점장님
store manager → respectful title - 간호사 → 간호사님
nurse → respectful title - 매니저 → 매니저님
manager → respectful title
6. Why Is It 김 교수님, Not 김교수님?
김 교수님 is correct because the family name 김 and the title 교수님 are separate. Write a space after the family name, but attach -님 directly to the title.
✅ Correct
- 최 감독님
최 (family name) + 감독님 (director + -님) - 류 변호사님
류 (family name) + 변호사님 (lawyer + -님)
❌ Incorrect
- 최감독님
Missing space after the family name - 류 변호사 님
Extra space before -님
7. Common Korean Words Written with 님
Some common Korean words are written with 님. Learn these as complete words.
- 선생님
teacher - 사장님
business owner or company president - 부모님
parents - 손님
guest or customer - 스님
Buddhist monk - 예수님
Jesus - 부처님
the Buddha
손님 (guest or customer) and 스님 (Buddhist monk) are complete words, not simple “noun + -님” forms. 예수님 (Jesus) and 부처님 (the Buddha) are respectful names for religious figures.
Learn more common expressions in this beginner guide to Korean honorific words.
8. How 님 Works Inside a Sentence
When a particle follows 님 or -님, attach it directly without a space.
Title or role + -님 + particle
- 님이
님 + the subject particle 이 - 님은
님 + the topic particle 은 - 님께
님 + 께, the respectful particle meaning “to” - 님께서
님 + the respectful subject particle 께서
After a name, leave a space before 님 and attach the particle directly. After a title or role, write the title, -님, and the particle together without spaces.
- 유빈 님이 먼저 와요.
Yubin comes first. - 건우 님은 회사에 있어요.
Geonu is at work. - 회장님께서 인사하세요.
The chairperson greets everyone.
Need help with 이/가, 은/는, 을/를, and other Korean particles? Review this complete beginner guide to Korean particles.
9. Can You Use 님 for Yourself?
Do not add 님 to your own name. 님 is used to show respect to another person.
❌ Incorrect
- 저는 지안 님이에요.
I am Jian + 님.
✅ Natural
- 저는 지안이에요.
I am Jian.
You can still use a word such as 선생님 when explaining what other people call you.
- 학생들이 저를 선생님이라고 불러요.
My students call me “teacher.”
10. 님 vs 씨: What Is the Basic Difference?
님 and 씨 can both follow a person’s name, but 님 generally sounds more respectful.
- 서윤 님
Seoyun addressed more respectfully - 서윤 씨
Seoyun addressed politely
The right choice depends on your relationship with the person and the situation.
Not sure which one fits the situation? See the full 님 vs 씨 comparison with practical examples.
11. Common Mistakes with 님 (Nim) in Korean
English-speaking Korean learners often understand the basic meaning of 님 but make mistakes with its spacing and usage. Here are three common mistakes to avoid.
Common Mistake 1: Writing 님 Without a Space After a Name
❌ Incorrect
- 홍세빈님
Hong Sebin + 님 written without a space
✅ Correct
- 홍세빈 님
Hong Sebin + 님 written with a space
님 is a separate honorific word after a name, so a space is required.
Common Mistake 2: Using a Family Name + 님
A family name + 님, such as 김 님, may appear in limited contexts, but it is rarely used as an everyday form of address. Use the person’s full name or combine the family name with a job title instead.
❌ Usually unnatural
- 김 님
Kim + 님
✅ Natural
- 김태호 님
Kim Taeho + 님 - 김 과장님
김 (family name) + manager + -님
Common Mistake 3: Adding 님 to Your Own Name
Do not add 님 to your own name when introducing yourself.
❌ Incorrect
- 저는 세빈 님이에요.
I am Sebin + 님.
✅ Natural
- 저는 세빈이에요.
I am Sebin.
님 is used to show respect to other people, not to yourself. Even in emails, profiles, or self-introductions, do not add 님 to your own name.
12. FAQ About the Korean Honorific 님
Q1. Is 님 gender-specific in Korean?
No. 님 is gender-neutral and can be used for anyone, regardless of gender.
Q2. Is 님 a Korean pronoun?
No. 님 is not a pronoun. It is an honorific added after names, job titles, or roles.
Q3. Can I use 님 with a foreign name?
Yes. Write a foreign name and 님 with a space, just as you would with a Korean name.
Q4. Why is 님 common in Korean online communities?
님 is a polite and neutral way to address users when their age or social position is unknown.
Q5. Is 님 always formal in Korean?
No. 님 is respectful but not always formal. Its level of formality depends on the situation and relationship.
Conclusion: How to Use 님 in Korean
님 (nim) is a Korean honorific used after another person’s name, job title, or role. Write 님 separately after a name, attach -님 directly to a job title or role, and leave a space between a family name and the title that follows it.
Related Guides
- 씨 (Ssi) in Korean: Meaning, Name Rules, and Examples
- 님 vs 씨 in Korean: Meaning, Differences, and When to Use Each