K-Wave Series: Hangul, The Korean Alphabet
Behind the K-POP and K-Drama trend, the Korean alphabet (hangul) plays an undeniably important role. Let's get to know each letter, one sound at a time!
K-WAVE SERIES
Welcome! Here's a guide on Hangul, the unique and beautiful writing system of the Korean language. In this page, we will explore each of the 14 basic consonants and 10 vowels, illustrating how to read and pronounce them, as well as providing examples of their usage in real Korean words.
Consonants
1. ㄱ (g/k) - giyeok
Pronunciation: Similar to a hard 'g' as in 'go' or a 'k' sound.
Example Word: 가다 (gada) - to go.
2. ㄲ (gg/kk) - ssanggiyeok
Pronunciation: Tense 'g' or 'k' sound without vocal cords.
Example Word: 꽈리 (kkwari) - a ground cherry
3. ㄴ (n) - nieun
Pronunciation: Like 'n' in 'name'.
Example Word: 나 (na) - I, me.
4. ㄷ (d/t) - digeut
Pronunciation: Similar to 'd' in 'dog' or a soft 't'.
Example Word: 다리 (dari) - bridge.
5. ㄸ (dd/tt) - ssangdigeut
Pronunciation: Tense 'd' or 't' sound.
Example Word: 딸 (ddal) - daughter.
6. ㄹ (r/l) - rieul
Pronunciation: A mix of 'r' and 'l'.
Example Word: 사랑 (salang) - love.
7. ㅁ (m) - mieum
Pronunciation: Like 'm' in 'mother'.
Example Word: 마음 (maeum) - heart.
8. ㅂ (b/p) - bieup
Pronunciation: Similar to 'b' as in 'boy' or 'p' sound.
Example Word: 바다 (bada) - sea.
9. ㅃ (bb/pp) - ssangbieup
Pronunciation: Tense 'b' sound.
Example Word: 빵 (ppang) - bread.
10. ㅅ (s) - siot
Pronunciation: Like 's' in 'snake'.
Example Word: 사람 (saram) - person.
11. ㅆ (ss) - ssangsiot
Pronunciation: Tense 's' sound.
Example Word: 쌀 (ssal) - rice.
12. ㅇ (ng) - ieung
Pronunciation: Silent at the start of a syllable; 'ng' in 'song' at the end.
Example Word: 아침 (achim) - morning. 사랑 (salang) - love.
13. ㅈ (j) - jieut
Pronunciation: Like 'j' in 'jam'.
Example Word: 자유 (jayu) - freedom.
14. ㅉ (jj) - ssangjieut
Pronunciation: Tense 'j' sound.
Example Word: 짜장면 (jjajangmyeon) - black bean noodles.
15. ㅊ (ch) - chieut
Pronunciation: Like 'ch' in 'chicken'.
Example word: 치킨 (chikin) - friend chicken.
16. ㅋ (k) - kieuk
Pronunciation: Like 'k' in 'black'.
Example word: 초콜릿 (chokollit) - chocelate.
17. ㅌ (th) - tieut
Pronunciation: Like 't' in 'ticket'.
Example word: 티비 (tibi) - TV.
18. ㅍ (p) - pieup
Pronunciation: Like 'p' in 'pig'.
Example word: 팔 (pal) - eight or arm.
19. ㅎ (h) - hieut
Pronunciation: Like 'h' in 'hi'.
Example word: 할머니 (halmeoni) - grandma.
Vowels
1. ㅏ (a)
Pronunciation: Like 'a' in 'father'.
Example Word: 사 (sa) - four.
2. ㅑ (ya)
Pronunciation: Like 'ya' in 'yard'.
Example Word: 야 (ya) - hey!
3. ㅓ (eo)
Pronunciation: Like 'uh in 'cup'.
Example Word: 컵 (keop) - cup.
4. ㅕ (yeo)
Pronunciation: Like 'you in 'young'.
Example Word: 귀엽다 (gwiyeopda) - cute.
5. ㅣ (i)
Pronunciation: Like 'ee' in 'see'.
Example Word: 보리 (bori) - barley.
6. ㅗ (o)
Pronunciation: Like 'o' in 'go'.
Example Word: 보리 (bori) - barley.
7. ㅛ (yo)
Pronunciation: Like 'yo' in 'yoga'.
Example Word: 요가 (yoga) - yoga.
8. ㅜ (u)
Pronunciation: Like 'oo' in 'food'.
Example Word: 부엌 (bueok) - kitchen.
9. ㅠ (yu)
Pronunciation: Like 'you'.
Example Word: 휴가 (hyuga) - vacation.
10. ㅡ (eu)
Pronunciation: Like 'you'.
Example Word: 은행 (eunghaeng) - bank.
11. ㅐ (ae)
Pronunciation: Sadly, no similar english words to this sound
Example Word: 애기 (aegi) - baby.
12. ㅒ (ae)
Pronunciation: Like 'yea' in 'yeah'.
Example Word: 얘들 (yaedeul) - kids.
13. ㅔ (e)
Pronunciation: Like 'e' in 'met'.
Example Word: 테이블 (teibeul) - table.
14. ㅖ (ye)
Pronunciation: Like 'ye' in 'yes'.
Example Word: 예뻐 (yeppeo) - pretty.
15. ㅘ (wa)
Pronunciation: Like 'wa' in 'water'.
Example Word: 과일 (gwail) - fruit.
16. ㅙ (wae)
Pronunciation: Like 'wa' in 'wait'.
Example Word: 왜 (wae) - why.
17. ㅚ (oe)
Pronunciation: Like 'we' in 'wet'.
Example Word: 외국인 (eogugin) - foreigner.
18. ㅝ (wo)
Pronunciation: Like 'wo' in 'wonder'.
Example Word: 워킹 (woking) - walking.
19. ㅞ (we)
Pronunciation: Like 'we' in 'wet'.
Example Word: 웨딩 (weding) - wedding.
20. ㅟ (wi)
Pronunciation: Like 'wee' in 'week'.
Example Word: 위치 (wichi) - location.
21. ㅢ (ui)
Pronunciation: Like 'ui' in 'suit'.
Example Word: 의사 (uisa) - doctor.
Putting It All Together
Each Hangul character is formed by a combination of these consonants and vowels. When writing, you can stack them to create syllables. Examples:
가 (ga) is made up of ㄱ (g) + ㅏ (a).
모 (mo) is made up of ㅁ (m) + ㅗ (o).
Conclusion
Understanding Hangul is a rewarding experience that opens up the beauty of the Korean language. This guide serves as a foundation for beginners to get started with reading and writing Korean. Practice these alphabets with the provided examples, and you'll soon be on your way to forming words and sentences in Korean. Happy learning!
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