What Korean Sounds are Silent and How to Write Them282

Introduction

Korean phonology can be a bit daunting for non-native speakers, especially when it comes to the pronunciation of certain letters. There are a number of Korean sounds that are not pronounced, and these can often lead to confusion and mispronunciation.

Silent 'ㅇ' at the Beginning of Words

One of the most common silent sounds in Korean is the initial 'ㅇ'. This letter is often written at the beginning of words, but it is not pronounced. For example, the word 아빠 (father) is pronounced "appa," not "oappa."

There are a few exceptions to this rule. The initial 'ㅇ' is pronounced in the following cases:
When it is followed by a vowel (e.g., 아버지, 어머니)
When it is followed by the letter 'ㄹ' (e.g., 이름, 얼굴)
When it is followed by the letter 'ㄴ' in a Sino-Korean word (e.g., 은행, ㅇㅁㅁ)

Silent 'ㄹ' at the End of Words

Another common silent sound in Korean is the final 'ㄹ'. This letter is often written at the end of words, but it is not pronounced. For example, the word 말 (word) is pronounced "mal," not "marl."

There are a few exceptions to this rule. The final 'ㄹ' is pronounced in the following cases:
When it is followed by a vowel in the next word (e.g., 말이, 말아)
When it is followed by the letter 'ㄹ' in the next word (e.g., 말로, 말러)
When it is followed by the letter 'ㄴ' in the next word (e.g., 말나, 말너)
When it is in a Sino-Korean word (e.g., 서울, 철학)

Silent 'ㄴ' in the Middle of Words

The letter 'ㄴ' can also be silent in the middle of words. This is most common when it is preceded by a vowel and followed by a consonant. For example, the word 안녕하세요 (hello) is pronounced "annyeonghaseyo," not "anneonghaseyo."

There are a few exceptions to this rule. The 'ㄴ' is pronounced in the following cases:
When it is followed by the letter 'ㄹ' (e.g., 안녕하세요, 언니)
When it is in a Sino-Korean word (e.g., 은행, ㅇㅁㅁ)

Silent 'ㅂ' in the Middle of Words

The letter 'ㅂ' can also be silent in the middle of words. This is most common when it is preceded by a vowel and followed by a consonant. For example, the word 잡니다 (to catch) is pronounced "japnida," not "jabnida."

There are a few exceptions to this rule. The 'ㅂ' is pronounced in the following cases:
When it is followed by the letter 'ㄹ' (e.g., 잡니다, 앞니다)
When it is in a Sino-Korean word (e.g., 입학, 답변)

Conclusion

These are just a few of the silent sounds in Korean. It is important to be aware of these sounds in order to pronounce Korean words correctly. With a little practice, you will be able to master the pronunciation of Korean words and sounds.

2024-11-30

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