How to Say "Yourself" in Korean: 본인 (Bonin) vs 자신 (Jasin)

1. 자신 (Jasin) – "Oneself" in General & Reflective Contexts

 자신 is the most common word for "oneself" in everyday Korean. It is used when the subject of a sentence refers back to themselves, or when talking about self-confidence and self-reflection.


Example:

저는 제 자신을 믿어요 (I believe in myself)

그 사람은 자기 자신만 생각해요(He only thinks about himself)

저는 자신 있어요!(I'm confident)



2. 본인 (Bonin) – "The Person In Question" (Formal & Official)

본인 literally translates to "this person themselves" or "the person in question."

Key Nuance: Extremely formal, official, and administrative. You will hear this in official documents, legal contexts, news, or customer service.


Example:

본인 확인이 필요합니다(Identity verification is required / We need to confirm you are the person in question.) 

본인이 직접 신청해야 합니다(The person themselves must apply in person.)   



Exercise

너 자신을 먼저 사랑해야 해  You need to love yourself first.

이 통장은 본인이 직접 개설해야 합니다 This bank account must be opened by the person in question 

민수는 자기 자신만 생각하는 경향이 있어  Minsu tends to think only about himself

스스로를 믿고 자신감을 가지세요  Believe in yourself and have confidence


Exercise for you!

She won the battle against herself - 

Yes, I am the person in question - 

Please write your address and contact number on the application form - 

Please sign your name in the signature box - 


vocab

won – 승리했다/이겼다  battle/fight – 싸움/전쟁 against – ~와의/~에 맞서  I – 나/저 am – ~이다/~입니다 write – 쓰다/적다  address – 주소 and – 그리고/~와(과) contact number – 연락처/전화번호 application form – 신청서/지원서 sign – 서명하다/싸인하다  signature box/signature line – 서명란/서명하는 곳


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