Are you afraid to start learning Korean? Don’t worry, because the Korean alphabet, Hangul, is one of the easiest alphabets to learn in the world!
History of Hangul
Hangul is one of the few artificially created letters in the world. When South Korea was Joseon – an old name of South Korea – it had no letters, so they used Chinese characters. At that time, however, Chinese characters were letters that only upper-class people could read and write because the common people were busy. King Sejong of Joseon, who felt sorry for the common people who were often defrauded by the upper class, began to create today’s Hangul with his subjects.
Since Hangul was created for the poor and busy common people who had little opportunity to learn, it was very easy to learn. Unlike English, each letter has only one sound, and there are very few exceptions compared to English. After reading this blog, you will be able to learn Hangul and memorise all of the Korean letters in just a few hours. We hope that it will be a time for you to gain confidence in learning Korean!
The Structure of Hangeul
Hangeul consists of 14 consonants and 10 vowels. The alphabet is a unique mix of phonetic and alphabetic systems, designed to represent the sounds of spoken Korean. The characters are grouped into syllabic blocks, each block typically representing one syllable.
- Consonant 자음
Let’s start with the 14 basic consonants:
- ㄱ – giyeok 기역
- ‘g’ sound: Like the ‘g’ in “go” or “gap.”
- 긴(Gin/Long), 간(Gan/Liver), 곧(Got/Soon), 박(Bak/Gourd), 막(Mag/Film, Curtain)
- ㄴ- Nieun 니은
- ’n’ sound: Like the ‘n’ in “name’.
- 나(Na/Me), 너(Nuh/You), 네(Ne/Yes), 논(Non/Field)
- ㄷ – Digeud 디귿
- ‘d’ sound: Like the ‘d’ in ‘date’ or ‘
- 대(De/Big), 다(Da, All), 돈(Don/Money, Pork), 곧(Got, soon), 다음(Daeum/Next)
- ㄹ – Lieul 리을
- ‘l’ sound: Like the ‘l’ in ‘lemon’
- 레몬(Lemon), 라임(Lime), 일기(Ilgi/Diary), 서열(Seoyeol/Rank)
- ㅁ – Mieum 미음
- ‘m’ sound: Like the ‘m’ in ‘melon’
- 몸(Mom/Body), 마음(Maum/Heart), 미역(Miyeok/Sea weed), 미국(Miguk/the USA), 짐(Gim/Load)
- ㅂ – Bieub 비읍
- ‘b’ sounds: Like ‘b’ in ‘Baby’
- 밥(Bab/Rice, Meal), 비(Bi/Rain), 법(Beob/Law), 비빔밥(Bibimbap), 공부(Gongbue/Study)
- ㅅ – Siot 시옷
- ‘s’ sounds: Like ‘s’ in ‘sink’
- 신(Sin/God), 산(San/Mountain), 소식(Sosig/News), 사람(Saram/Person), 선물(Seonmul/Gift)
- ㅇ – i-eung 이응
- Silent consonant: When it appears alone in a syllable, it doesn’t represent a sound.
- Nasal vowel marker: When it follows a vowel, it changes the vowel sound into a nasal vowel.
- 이(I/Tooth, 암(Am/Cancer), 성(Sung/Castle, gender) , 오이(O-i/Cucumber), 이익(I-ik/Benefit)
- ㅈ – Jieut 지읏
- ‘j’ sounds: Like ‘j’ in ‘joke’
- 자(Ja/Ruler), 주(Ju/State), 전(Jeon), 지도(Jido/Map)
- ㅊ – Chieut 치읏
- ‘ch’ sounds: Like ‘ch’ in ‘kimchi’
- 춤(Chum/Dance), 침(Chim/Spit), 척(Cheock/Pretend), 김치(Kimchi)
- ㅋ – Kieuk 키읔
- ‘k, c’ sounds: Like ‘c’ and ‘k’ in ‘cake’
- 키(Ki/Height), 코(Ko/Nose), 큰(Keun/Big), 케이크(Cake), 쿠키(Cookie)
- ㅌ – Tigeut 티긑
- ‘t’ sounds: Like ‘t’ in ‘tongue’
- 티(Tea/Flaw), 턱(Teok/Chin), 틈(Teum/Crack), 탁구(Tague/Table Tennis), 태국(Teguk/Thailand)
- ㅍ – Pieup 피읖
- ‘p’ sounds: Like ‘p’ in ‘pillow’
- 피(Pi/Blood), 폭(Pock/Width), 파랑(Parang/Blue), 피구(Pigue/Dodge ball), 폭발(Pokbal/Explode)
- ㅎ – Hieut 히읗
- ‘h’ sounds: Like ‘h’ in ‘hot’
- 해(Hae/Sun), 힘(Him/Power), 혹(Hock/Bump), 현악기(Hyunaggi/String Instrument)
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let’s look at the 10 basic vowels:
- ㅏ – ah
- Like ‘a’ in banana
- 안녕(Annyeong/Hi)
- ㅑ – yah
- Like ‘ya’ in yawn
- 야구(Yagu/Basketball)
- ㅓ – uh
- Like ‘uh’ in the sun
- 어업(Uh-ub/Fishing industry)
- ㅕ – yuh
- Like ‘yu’ in yum
- 여기(Yugi/Here)
- ㅗ – oh
- Like ‘oh’
- 오리(Ori/Duck)
- ㅛ – yo
- Like ‘yo’ in yoke
- 요리(Yori/Cook)
- ㅜ – woo
- Like ‘oo’ in moon
- 우주(Uju/Space)
- ㅠ – yu
- Like ‘you’
- 유리(Yuri/Glass)
- ㅡ – eu
- 은색(Eunsaek/Gray)
- ㅣ – i
- Like ‘i’ in main
- 이유(i-yu/Reason)
How to Read Hangeul Syllables
Each syllable block in Hangeul is made up of a combination of consonants and vowels. A syllable can start with a consonant or a vowel and usually follows one of these structures:
- Consonant + Vowel (e.g., 가)
- Consonant + Vowel + Consonant (e.g., 강)
- Vowel + Consonant (less common, e.g., 안)
When reading Hangeul, start from the top left and move to the bottom right. For instance, the syllable “한” is read as “h” + “a” + “n.”
Tips for Learning Hangeul Quickly
- Use Flashcards: Hangeul flashcards are a great way to memorize the characters. Write the consonants on one set of cards and the vowels on another. Mix and match them to form syllables and practice reading them aloud.
- Practice with a Korean Alphabet Chart: A Korean alphabet chart can be a handy reference. Keep it nearby as you study and practice writing the characters. This visual aid will help reinforce your memory.
- Work on Korean Alphabet Worksheets: Worksheets provide structured practice. Look for Korean alphabet worksheets that include exercises for writing each character, forming syllables, and reading simple words.
- Learn with Mnemonics: Mnemonics can make memorization easier. Create associations or stories for each character to help you remember their shapes and sounds. For example, think of ㅅ as looking like a “sail” to remember the “s” sound.
- Practice Writing: Writing each character multiple times will help solidify your memory. Focus on proper stroke order, which is important for writing neatly and efficiently.
- Listen and Repeat: Hearing the sounds of the alphabet pronounced correctly is crucial. Use audio resources or language apps to listen to native speakers and repeat after them.
Resources for Learning Hangeul
Hangeul Flashcards
- DIY Flashcards: Make your own set of flashcards with index cards or paper. Write the Hangeul character on one side and the pronunciation on the other.
- Printable Flashcards: There are many printable Hangeul flashcards available online. Search for free resources or invest in a set from a reputable language learning website.
Korean Alphabet Chart
- Printable Charts: Download and print a Korean alphabet chart. Keep it on your desk or carry it with you for quick reference.
- Interactive Charts: Some websites offer interactive charts where you can click on each character to hear its pronunciation.
Korean Alphabet Worksheets
- Beginner Worksheets: Start with worksheets that focus on individual characters. Practice writing each consonant and vowel multiple times.
- Syllable Formation: Move on to worksheets that help you practice forming and reading syllables.
- Reading Practice: Use worksheets that include simple words and sentences for reading practice.
Learning to read Hangeul in a day is an achievable goal with the right approach and resources. By using flashcards, a Korean alphabet chart, and worksheets, you can quickly familiarize yourself with the characters and their sounds. Remember to practice regularly and use mnemonic devices to aid memorization. With dedication and consistent effort, you’ll be able to read Hangeul and take the first step towards mastering the Korean language. Happy learning!
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