How to Read Korean Alphabet : Understanding Korean Syllables

Understanding how to form syllables in Korean is crucial for language learners. By breaking down words into their individual syllables, learners can improve their pronunciation and comprehension. The examples provided illustrate the various combinations of consonants and vowels, making it easier to grasp this essential aspect of the Korean language.

Structure of Hangul

As we discussed, Hangul consists of consonants and vowels. Each syllable is formed by combining these elements.

Consonants: Here are some basic consonants:
- ㄱ (g/k)
- ㄴ (n)
- ㄷ (d/t)
- ㅁ (m)
- ㅅ (s)
- ㅈ (j)
- ㅊ (ch)
- ㅋ (k)
- ㅌ (t)
- ㅍ (p)
- ㅎ (h)
Vowels: Here are some basic vowels:
- ㅏ (a)
- ㅓ (eo)
- ㅗ (o)
- ㅜ (u)
- ㅣ (i)
- ㅐ (ae)
- ㅔ (e)
- ㅚ (oe)
- ㅟ (wi)

Final Consonant (받침)

In Korean, each syllable is made up of an initial consonant, a vowel, and sometimes a final consonant, known as 받침. This structure is different from English, where syllables typically end with a vowel or can have a consonant, but do not have a specific “final consonant” system like Korean.

Key Points:

Structure:
- In Korean, a syllable can be structured as “Consonant + Vowel” (CV) or “Consonant + Vowel + Final Consonant” (CVC). For example, the word “밥” (bap) consists of the initial consonant “ㅂ” (b), the vowel “ㅏ” (a), and the final consonant “ㅂ” (b).
Function:
- The 받침 can change the meaning of words. For instance, “집” (jip – house) and “짓” (jit – to make) have different meanings based on the final consonant.
Pronunciation:
- The 받침 affects how the syllable sounds. In English, the final consonant can be pronounced distinctly (like in “cat”), while in Korean, the 받침 can sometimes be silent or pronounced differently depending on the following sound.
Variability:
- There are only a limited number of 받침 sounds in Korean compared to the variety of final consonants in English. The most common 받침 sounds include “ㄱ” (g/k), “ㄴ” (n), “ㄷ” (d/t), “ㄹ” (r/l), “ㅁ” (m), “ㅂ” (b/p), and “ㅅ” (s).

Comparison with English:

In English, words can end with any consonant (like “cat”, “dog”, “fish”), but they do not have a specific system for final consonants like Korean. Each syllable can stand alone without a final consonant, and there’s no structural requirement for it.

Conclusion:

Understanding 받침 helps with pronunciation and meaning in Korean. While English speakers are used to flexible syllable endings, Korean’s structured approach to syllables requires attention to these final consonants to grasp the language fully.

Forming Syllables in Korean

Understanding how to form syllables in Korean is essential for mastering the language. A syllable can consist of just a consonant and a vowel, or it can include a final consonant. Let’s explore some examples to illustrate this concept more clearly.

Basic Structure of Syllables

택시 (taeksi) – “taxi”
- Initial Consonant: ㅌ (t)
- Vowel: ㅐ (ae)
- Final Consonant: ㄱ (k)
- Next Syllable: ㅅ (s) + ㅣ (i)
- Breakdown: 택 (taek) + 시 (si) = 택시 (taeksi).
컴퓨터 (keompyuteo) – “computer”
- Initial Consonant: ㅋ (k)
- Vowel: ㅓ (eo)
- Final Consonant ㅁ (m)
- Breakdown: 컴 (keom) + 퓨 (pyo) + 터 (teo) = 컴퓨터 (keompyuteo).
피자 (pija) – “pizza”
- Initial Consonant: ㅍ (p)
- Vowel: ㅣ (i)
- Final Consonant: ㅈ (j)
- Breakdown: 피 (pi) + 자 (ja) = 피자 (pija).
아이스크림 (aiseukeurim) – “ice cream”
- Initial Consonant: ㅇ (silent)
- Vowel: ㅏ (a)
- Breakdown: 아 (a) + 이스 (iseu) + 크 (keu) + 림 (rim) = 아이스크림 (aiseukeurim).
커피 (keopi) – “coffee”
- Initial Consonant: ㅋ (k)
- Vowel: ㅓ (eo)
- Breakdown: 커 (keo) + 피 (pi) = 커피 (keopi).
햄버거 (haembeogeu) – “hamburger”
- Initial Consonant: ㅎ (h)
- Vowel: ㅐ (ae)
- Breakdown: 햄 (haem) + 버 (beo) + 거 (geo) = 햄버거 (haembeogeu).
바나나 (banana) – “banana”
- Initial Consonant: ㅂ (b)
- Vowel: ㅏ (a)
- Breakdown: 바 (ba) + 나 (na) + 나 (na) = 바나나 (banana).
샌드위치 (saendeuwichi) – “sandwich”
- Initial Consonant: ㅅ (s)
- Vowel: ㅐ (ae)
- Breakdown: 샌 (saen) + 드 (deu) + 위 (wi) + 치 (chi) = 샌드위치 (saendeuwichi).
초콜릿 (chokollit) – “chocolate”
- Initial Consonant: ㅊ (ch)
- Vowel: ㅗ (o)
- Breakdown: 초 (cho) + 콜 (kol) + 릿 (lit) = 초콜릿 (chokollit).
마카롱 (makaron) – “macaron”
- Initial Consonant: ㅁ (m)
- Vowel: ㅏ (a)
- Breakdown: 마 (ma) + 카 (ka) + 롱 (rong) = 마카롱 (makaron).
스파게티 (seupageti) – “spaghetti”
- Initial Consonant: ㅅ (s)
- Vowel: ㅡ (eu)
- Breakdown: 스 (seu) + 파 (pa) + 게 (ge) + 티 (ti) = 스파게티 (seupageti).
티셔츠 (tiseocheu) – “t-shirt”
- Initial Consonant: ㅌ (t)
- Vowel: ㅣ (i)
- Breakdown: 티 (ti) + 셔 (syeo) + 츠 (cheu) = 티셔츠 (tiseocheu).
핸드폰 (haendeupon) – “cell phone”
- Initial Consonant: ㅎ (h)
- Vowel: ㅐ (ae)
- Breakdown: 핸 (haen) + 드 (deu) + 폰 (pon) = 핸드폰 (haendeupon).
가방 (gabang) – “bag”
- Initial Consonant: ㄱ (g)
- Vowel: ㅏ (a)
- Breakdown: 가 (ga) + 방 (bang) = 가방 (gabang).
소파 (sopa) – “sofa”
- Initial Consonant: ㅅ (s)
- Vowel: ㅗ (o)
- Next Syllable: ㅍ (p) + ㅏ (a)
- Breaking it down, we have 소 (so) + 파 (pa) = 소파 (sopa).
카메라 (kamera) – “camera”
- Initial Consonant: ㅋ (k)
- Vowel: ㅏ (a)
- Next Syllable: ㅁ (m) + ㅔ (e) + ㄹ (r) + ㅏ (a)
- This gives us 카 (ka) + 메 (me) + 라 (ra) = 카메라 (kamera).
텔레비전 (telebijeon) – “television”
- Initial Consonant: ㅌ (t)
- Vowel: ㅔ (e)
- Next Syllable: ㄹ (l) + ㅔ (e) + ㅂ (b) + ㅣ (i) + ㅈ (j) + ㅓ (eo) + ㄴ (n)
- Breaking it down: 텔 (tel) + 레 (re) + 비 (bi) + 전 (jeon) = 텔레비전 (telebijeon).
핫도그 (hatdogeu) – “hot dog”
- Initial Consonant: ㅎ (h)
- Vowel: ㅏ (a)
- Next Syllable: ㅌ (t) + ㄷ (d) + ㅗ (o) + ㄱ (g) + ㅡ (eu)
- This breaks down to 핫 (hat) + 도 (do) + 그 (geu) = 핫도그 (hatdogeu).
아이폰 (aipon) – “iPhone”
- Initial Consonant: ㅇ (silent)
- Vowel: ㅏ (a)
- Next Syllable: ㅣ (i) + ㅍ (p) + ㅗ (o) + ㄴ (n)
- Thus, it breaks down into 아이 (ai) + 폰 (pon) = 아이폰 (aipon).
오렌지 (orenji) – “orange”
- Initial Consonant: ㅇ (silent)
- Vowel: ㅗ (o)
- Next Syllable: ㄹ (r) + ㅔ (e) + ㄴ (n) + ㅈ (j) + ㅣ (i)
- This gives us 오 (o) + 렌 (ren) + 지 (ji) = 오렌지 (orenji).
샤워 (syawo) – “shower”
- Initial Consonant: ㅅ (s)
- Vowel: ㅑ (ya)
- Next Syllable: ㅜ (u) + ㅓ (eo)
- Breaking it down, we have 샤 (sha) + 워 (wo) = 샤워 (syawo).
주스 (juseu) – “juice”
- Initial Consonant: ㅈ (j)
- Vowel: ㅜ (u)
- Final Consonant: ㅅ (s) + ㅡ (eu)
- This combines to form 주 (ju) + 스 (seu) = 주스 (juseu).
바다 (bada) – “sea”
- Initial Consonant: ㅂ (b)
- Vowel: ㅏ (a)
- Next Syllable: ㄷ (d) + ㅏ (a)
- Breaking it down, we have 바 (ba) + 다 (da) = 바다 (bada).
과일 (gwail) – “fruit”
- Initial Consonant: ㄱ (g)
- Vowel: ㅗ (o)
- Next Syllable: ㅏ (a) + ㅇ (i) + ㅣ (i) + ㄹ (l)
- This breaks down into 과 (gwa) + 일 (il) = 과일 (gwail).
자동차 (jadongcha) – “car”
- Initial Consonant: ㅈ (j)
- Vowel: ㅏ (a)
- Next Syllable: ㄷ (d) + ㅏ (a) + ㅊ (ch) + ㅏ (a)
- So, we have 자 (ja) + 동 (dong) + 차 (cha) = 자동차 (jadongcha).
전화 (jeonhwa) – “telephone”
- Initial Consonant: ㅈ (j)
- Vowel: ㅓ (eo)
- Next Syllable: ㄴ (n) + ㅗ (o) + ㅎ (h) + ㅏ (a)
- This gives us 전 (jeon) + 화 (hwa) = 전화 (jeonhwa).
스튜디오 (seutyudio) – “studio”
- Initial Consonant: ㅅ (s)
- Vowel: ㅡ (eu)
- Next Syllable: ㅌ (t) + ㅠ (yu) + ㄷ (d) + ㅣ (i) + ㅗ (o)
- Breaking it down, we have 스 (seu) + 튜 (tyu) + 디 (di) + 오 (o) = 스튜디오 (seutyudio).
초콜릿 (chokollit) – “chocolate”
- Initial Consonant: ㅊ (ch)
- Vowel: ㅗ (o)
- Next Syllable: ㅋ (k) + ㅗ (o) + ㄹ (l) + ㅣ (i) + ㅅ (t)
- So, it reads as 초 (cho) + 콜 (kol) + 릿 (lit) = 초콜릿 (chokollit).
피아노 (piano) – “piano”
- Initial Consonant: ㅍ (p)
- Vowel: ㅣ (i)
- Next Syllable: ㅏ (a) + ㄴ (n) + ㅗ (o)
- Breaking it down: 피 (pi) + 아 (a) + 노 (no) = 피아노 (piano).
사과 (sagwa) – “apple”
- Initial Consonant: ㅅ (s)
- Vowel: ㅏ (a)
- Next Syllable: ㄱ (g) + ㅘ (wa)
- This results in 사 (sa) + 과 (gwa) = 사과 (sagwa).
생선 (saengseon) – “fish”
- Initial Consonant: ㅅ (s)
- Vowel: ㅐ (ae)
- Next Syllable: ㅇ (silent) + ㅅ (s) + ㅓ (eo) + ㄴ (n)
- So, we have 생 (saeng) + 선 (seon) = 생선 (saengseon).
치킨 (chikin) – “chicken”
- Initial Consonant: ㅊ (ch)
- Vowel: ㅣ (i)
- Next Syllable: ㅋ (k) + ㅣ (i) + ㄴ (n)
- This breaks down to 치 (chi) + 킨 (kin) = 치킨 (chikin).
빵 (ppang) – “bread”
- Initial Consonant: ㅂ (p)
- Vowel: ㅏ (a)
- Final Consonant: ㄱ (ng)
- So, it reads as 빵 (ppang), which is a single syllable.
운동 (undong) – “exercise”
- Initial Consonant: ㅇ (silent)
- Vowel: ㅜ (u)
- Next Syllable: ㄴ (n) + ㄷ (d) + ㅗ (o) + ㅇ (ng)
- This results in 운 (un) + 동 (dong) = 운동 (undong).
바람 (baram) – “wind”
- Initial Consonant: ㅂ (b)
- Vowel: ㅏ (a)
- Next Syllable: ㄹ (r) + ㅏ (a) + ㅁ (m)
- This results in 바 (ba) + 람 (ram) = 바람 (baram).
꽃 (kkot) – “flower”
- Initial Consonant: ㄲ (kk)
- Vowel: ㅗ (o)
- Final Consonant: ㄷ (t)
- This results in 꽃 (kkot), which is a single syllable.
물 (mul) – “water”
- Initial Consonant: ㅁ (m)
- Vowel: ㅜ (u)
- Final Consonant: ㄹ (l)
- This results in 물 (mul), which is also a single syllable.
고양이 (goyangi) – “cat”
- Initial Consonant: ㄱ (g)
- Vowel: ㅗ (o)
- Next Syllable: ㅇ (silent) + ㅑ (ya)
- Final Syllable: 이 (i)
- This results in 고 (go) + 양 (yang) + 이 (i) = 고양이 (goyangi).
사자 (saja) – “lion”
- Initial Consonant: ㅅ (s)
- Vowel: ㅏ (a)
- Next Syllable: ㅈ (j) + ㅏ (a)
- This results in 사 (sa) + 자 (ja) = 사자 (saja).
호랑이 (horangi) – “tiger”
- Initial Consonant: ㅎ (h)
- Vowel: ㅗ (o)
- Next Syllable: ㄹ (r) + ㅏ (a)
- Final Syllable: 이 (i)
- This results in 호 (ho) + 랑 (rang) + 이 (i) = 호랑이 (horangi).