Korean Diphthongs Pronunciation103

Korean has five diphthongs, which are combinations of two vowel sounds pronounced as one syllable. They are ㅐ [ɛi], ㅔ [ei], ㅙ [wɛ], ㅚ [øi], and ㅢ [ɯi].

ㅐ [ɛi]

ㅐ is pronounced like the "ay" in "bay." It is a combination of the vowel sounds ㅏ [a] and ㅣ [i].

Examples:* 개 (dog): [kɛi]
* 얘 (this child): [jɛi]
* ㅐ미 (mother): [ɛimi]

ㅔ [ei]

ㅔ is pronounced like the "ay" in "day." It is a combination of the vowel sounds ㅓ [ʌ] and ㅣ [i].

Examples:* ㅔ미 (mother): [eimi]
* ㅔ이 (yes): [ei]
* 폐 (lungs): [pʰei]

ㅙ [wɛ]

ㅙ is pronounced like the "way" in "away." It is a combination of the vowel sounds ㅗ [o] and ㅏ [a].

Examples:* ㅙ국 (foreign country): [wɛguk]
* ㅙ장 (party): [wɛdʒang]
* ㅙ그 (frog): [wɛgɯ]

ㅚ [øi]

ㅚ is pronounced like the "oy" in "toy." It is a combination of the vowel sounds ㅗ [o] and ㅣ [i].

Examples:* ㅚ님 (you): [øinim]
* ㅚ야 (hey!): [øija]
* ㅚ물 (water): [øimul]

ㅢ [ɯi]

ㅢ is pronounced like the "oo" in "boot." It is a combination of the vowel sounds ㅡ [ɯ] and ㅣ [i].

Examples:* ㅢ사 (ceremony): [ɯisa]
* ㅢ료 (cost): [ɯirjo]
* ㅢ학 (medicine): [ɯihak]

Tips for Pronouncing Korean Diphthongs

Here are some tips for pronouncing Korean diphthongs correctly:* Make sure to pronounce both vowel sounds in the diphthong. Do not skip over the second vowel sound.
* The second vowel sound in the diphthong should be pronounced shorter than the first vowel sound.
* Practice pronouncing the diphthongs in isolation before trying to use them in words.

With a little practice, you will be able to pronounce Korean diphthongs correctly and speak Korean more confidently.

2024-11-25

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