How names are written in Korean
Korean writes foreign names by sound, using Hangul. There is no single official spelling for a Nepali name, but Koreans follow a few habits, and this tool uses them:
- Each syllable becomes a block. Bi-pin becomes 비핀, Su-man becomes 수만.
- Some final sounds can close a block: n, m, ng and l (람, 구룽, 카말). Others take a helper vowel ㅡ: Sharma becomes 샤르마, with 르 for the r.
- Breathy sounds merge. Korean has no difference between b and bh, or t and th, so Bhatta and Thapa become 바타 and 타파.
- Sh is soft: 샤, 시, 슈 (Shyam 샴, Krishna 크리슈나).
Because names are written by sound, spell yours the way it is said. If your name is usually spelt one way but said another (for example Laxmi said "Lakshmi"), try both.
Where you will use it
On forms in Korea your name is written in English letters, exactly as in your passport, so you do not need a Korean spelling for official papers. You will use it when coworkers and your employer write your name, on name tags at work, and in messages. Learning to read your own name is also a good first step in Hangul.