Korean Alphabet Pronunciation Guide [Hangul Pronunciation Table]187

Introduction

The Korean alphabet, known as Hangul, is a unique and efficient writing system that was created in the 15th century. Unlike many other languages, Hangul is not based on a phonetic alphabet where each letter represents a single sound. Instead, Hangul letters are arranged into syllables, each syllable representing a unique combination of sounds.

This article provides a comprehensive guide to Hangul pronunciation, including the pronunciation of each individual letter and how they are combined to form syllables. By understanding these rules, you can master the basics of Korean pronunciation and begin your journey to speaking and understanding the language.

Vowels
Hangul Vowel Pronunciation

Hangul
IPA
Description


ㅏ (a)
[a]
Similar to the "a" in "father"


ㅓ (eo)
[ʌ]
Similar to the "u" in "but"


ㅗ (o)
[o]
Similar to the "o" in "low"


ㅜ (u)
[u]
Similar to the "oo" in "boot"


ㅡ (eu)
[ɯ]
A unique vowel sound, similar to the "u" in "purse"


ㅣ (i)
[i]
Similar to the "ee" in "feet"

Note: Vowels can be lengthened by adding a circle below them, e.g. ㅏㅏ (aa) or ㅜㅜ (uu).

Consonants
Hangul Consonant Pronunciation

Hangul
IPA
Description


ㄱ (g)
[g]
Similar to the "g" in "go"


ㄴ (n)
[n]
Similar to the "n" in "nose"


ㄷ (d)
[d]
Similar to the "d" in "dog"


ㄹ (r/l)
[ɾ/l]
Can vary between an "r" and "l" sound


ㅁ (m)
[m]
Similar to the "m" in "moon"


ㅂ (b)
[b]
Similar to the "b" in "ball"


ㅅ (s)
[s]
Similar to the "s" in "sun"


ㅇ (ng)
[ŋ]
A velar nasal sound, similar to the "ng" in "sing"


ㅈ (j)
[tɕ]
Similar to the "ch" in "church"


ㅊ (ch)
[tɕʰ]
A more aspirated version of the "j" sound


ㅋ (k)
[k]
Similar to the "k" in "kite"


ㅌ (t)
[t]
Similar to the "t" in "top"


ㅍ (p)
[p]
Similar to the "p" in "pot"


ㅎ (h)
[h]
Similar to the "h" in "hat"

Note: Consonants can be aspirated (pronounced with a puff of air) by adding a small circle above them, e.g. ㄱ (g) vs. ㅋ (k).

Syllable Formation

Hangul letters are arranged into syllables in a block-like form. Each syllable consists of at least one vowel and one consonant, and can include up to three consonants.

The basic structure of a syllable is: Consonant + Vowel + Consonant

For example:
ㅏ (a)
나 (na)
물 (mul)
닭 (dak)
책 (chaek)

Note: If a syllable ends in a vowel, the final consonant is implied and not written.

Pronunciation Rules

Here are some additional pronunciation rules to keep in mind:
Double Consonants: When a consonant is doubled (e.g. ㄲ), it is pronounced with a stronger emphasis.
Silent Letters: The letter ㅇ is silent at the beginning of a syllable, unless it is followed by a vowel.
Compound Consonants: Hangul has several compound consonants that represent specific sounds, such as ㄱ (g) + ㅅ (s) producing the sound "ks".
Tone: Korean does not have tonal languages, so words are pronounced with a relatively flat tone.

Conclusion

Mastering Hangul pronunciation is essential for speaking and understanding Korean. By understanding the pronunciation of individual letters and how they combine to form syllables, you can build a solid foundation for your Korean language journey.

Remember that practice is key, so try to read and listen to Korean regularly. You can also use online resources or find a language exchange partner to improve your pronunciation.

2024-11-15

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