[Korean Pronunciation Guide]40

Korean pronunciation can be tricky for non-native speakers, but with a little practice, you'll be able to master the basics. Here's a quick guide to help you get started.

Vowels

Korean has 10 vowels, which are pronounced as follows:
ㅏ (a) - like the "a" in "father"
ㅑ (ya) - like the "ya" in "yard"
ㅓ (eo) - like the "o" in "burn"
ㅕ (yeo) - like the "yo" in "yo-yo"
ㅗ (o) - like the "o" in "boat"
ㅛ (yo) - like the "yo" in "yolk"
ㅜ (u) - like the "oo" in "boot"
ㅠ (yu) - like the "yu" in "yuck"
ㅡ (eu) - like the "eu" in "neutral"
ㅣ (i) - like the "ee" in "feet"

Consonants

Korean has 19 consonants, which are pronounced as follows:
ㄱ (g) - like the "g" in "go"
ㄴ (n) - like the "n" in "nose"
ㄷ (d) - like the "d" in "dog"
li>ㄹ (r) - like the "r" in "run"
ㅁ (m) - like the "m" in "mouth"
ㅂ (b) - like the "b" in "ball"
ㅅ (s) - like the "s" in "sun"
ㅇ (ng) - like the "ng" in "sing"
ㅈ (j) - like the "j" in "jump"
ㅊ (ch) - like the "ch" in "church"
ㅋ (k) - like the "k" in "kite"
ㅌ (t) - like the "t" in "top"
ㅍ (p) - like the "p" in "pot"
ㅎ (h) - like the "h" in "hat"

Pronunciation Rules

Here are a few pronunciation rules to keep in mind:
Korean syllables are always pronounced with a vowel. If there is no vowel written, the syllable is pronounced with a silent "eu".
Consonants are pronounced with the same sound whether they are at the beginning, middle, or end of a syllable.
Double consonants are pronounced with a stronger sound than single consonants.
Vowels are pronounced slightly differently when they are followed by certain consonants. For example, the vowel "ㅏ" is pronounced like "ah" when it is followed by the consonant "ㄱ", and like "aw" when it is followed by the consonant "ㅂ".

Practice

The best way to improve your Korean pronunciation is to practice regularly. Here are a few tips to help you get started:
Listen to native Korean speakers and try to imitate their pronunciation.
Read Korean texts aloud.
Practice speaking Korean with a friend or tutor.

With a little practice, you'll be able to master Korean pronunciation and communicate confidently with native speakers.

2025-01-02

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