Korean script reference
Look up a sign or check a rule while you read. Use the numbered units to learn step by step.
Letter cards read a labelled example syllable, not an isolated consonant. Complete words retain natural Korean pronunciation.
Alphabet shelf · open whenever you need a reminder
i
silent initially / ng finally. A syllable needs an initial consonant position. ㅇ fills it silently before a vowel; at the bottom of 강, it is ng.
i
a. An open a. With a vertical vowel, the initial consonant sits on the left.
i
i. A clear ee vowel.
i
o. A rounded o. A horizontal vowel goes underneath the initial consonant.
i
u. A rounded oo vowel.
i
yu. A y glide plus ㅜ.
i
n. Tongue at the ridge behind the upper teeth.
i
m. Close the lips.
i
d/t (lax). Another lax stop; listen to its position in words.
i
s. Before 이 it is commonly nearer sh.
i
eo / ʌ. An open unrounded vowel; not a sequence e + o.
i
eu / ɯ. A high unrounded vowel; not oo. Keep the lips unrounded.
i
r/l. Often a short tap between vowels and l at the end of a syllable.
i
b/p (lax). A lax lip stop; voicing varies with position.
i
g/k (lax). A Korean lax stop. Its voicing depends on position; it is not simply an English g everywhere.
i
kʰ (airy). A stronger puff of air than lax ㄱ.
i
kk (tense). Firm tense articulation; not two separately spoken k syllables.
i
ya. The extra stroke adds a y glide.
i
yeo. A y glide plus ㅓ.
i
yo. A y glide plus ㅗ.
i
tʰ (airy). A puff of air; not English th.
i
tt (tense). Firm articulation; no separate extra syllable.
i
pʰ (airy). A puff of air after the lips open.
i
pp (tense). Firm lip closure.
i
ss (tense). A tense s; compare ㅅ.
i
j/ch (lax). A lax joined consonant; listen rather than substituting one English sound.
i
chʰ (airy). An airy joined consonant.
i
jj (tense). A tense joined consonant.
i
h. An h sound; it can interact with following consonants.
i
ae. Often pronounced like ㅔ in modern standard speech.
i
e. Often merges with ㅐ; still learn the distinct spelling.
i
yae. A y glide with ㅐ.
i
ye. A y glide with ㅔ; pronunciation varies in some consonant contexts.
i
wa. ㅗ plus ㅏ in one syllable.
i
wo. ㅜ plus ㅓ.
i
wi. ㅜ plus ㅣ.
i
wae. ㅗ plus ㅐ.
i
oe / we. Commonly pronounced like we in contemporary speech.
i
we. ㅜ plus ㅔ.
i
ui. Often eu + i initially. In common positions and in the possessive particle, pronunciation can change; listen to 의사 and the course phrases.
ㅇ, ㅏ and ㅣ
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ㅗ, ㅜ and ㅠ
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ㄴ, ㅁ, ㄷ and ㅅ
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ㅓ, ㅡ and ㄹ
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ㅂ
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ㄱ, ㅋ and ㄲ
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ㅑ, ㅕ and ㅛ
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ㅌ and ㄸ
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ㅍ and ㅃ
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ㅆ
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ㅈ, ㅊ and ㅉ
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ㅎ
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Give the block a floor
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The bottom consonant is called batchim. It goes below the start-and-vowel pair in either layout. Build a two-letter block first, then add its floor.
ㅐ, ㅔ, ㅒ and ㅖ
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ㅘ, ㅝ and ㅟ
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ㅙ, ㅚ, ㅞ and ㅢ
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A quick first step: fit the new letters into a block. Next, find syllables in words and practise reading, listening and writing.
More listening and background
Modern Hangeul • left to right • syllable blocks • reading and optional typing