Language/Korean/Grammar/Korean-Pronunciation

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Korean Grammar → Korean Alphabets → Korean Pronunciation

As a Korean language teacher with 20 years of experience, I understand the importance of pronunciation when learning a new language. In this lesson, you will learn the correct pronunciation of Korean words by mastering the 14 basic Korean sounds.

Korean Alphabets

Before we dive into Korean sounds, it's essential to learn how to read and write the Korean alphabets or Hangul. The Korean script consists of 14 consonants and 10 vowels. Learning to read and write Hangul is relatively easy, and it will help you grasp Korean pronunciation better. You can find more information on Hangul on the Hangul wikipedia page.

Korean Pronunciation

In Korean, pronunciation is critical since different letter sounds can change the meaning of a word entirely. Therefore, mastering Korean pronunciation is crucial to communicate effectively with Koreans. The Korean language has 14 basic consonant sounds and ten vowel sounds.

Basic Consonant Sounds

Let's take a look at the chart below to learn the 14 basic consonant sounds in Korean:

Korean	Pronunciation	English
ㄱ	/k/	G as in "Go"
ㄴ	/n/	N as in "New"
ㄷ	/t/	D as in "Dog"
ㄹ	/ɾ/	L as in "Love"
ㅁ	/m/	M as in "Mother"
ㅂ	/p/	B as in "Boy"
ㅅ	/s/	S as in "Sit"
ㅇ	/ŋ/	Silent or Ng as in "sing"
ㅈ	/tʃ/	J as in "Jump"
ㅊ	/tʃʰ/	Ch as in "Chair"
ㅋ	/kʰ/	K as in "Kite"
ㅌ	/tʰ/	T as in "Take"
ㅍ	/pʰ/	P as in "Pink"
ㅎ	/h/	H as in "House"

Remember, the pronunciation of Korean letters can vary based on their position. For example, ㄱ is pronounced differently when placed at the beginning of the word, middle, or final position. You can find more information about how Korean letter sounds can differ according to their position on the Korean phonology wikipedia page.

Basic Vowel Sounds

Now let's take a look at the ten vowel sounds in Korean:

Korean	Pronunciation	English
ㅏ	/a/	A as in "Father"
ㅓ	/ʌ/	E as in "Set"
ㅗ	/o/	O as in "Go"
ㅜ	/u/	U as in "Blue"
ㅡ	/ɯ/	OO as in "Moon"
ㅣ	/i/	EE as in "See"
ㅐ	/ɛ/	E as in "Red"
ㅔ	/e/	A as in "Gate"
ㅚ	/ø/	EU as in "Peugeot"
ㅟ	/ɰi/	WI as in "Queen"

Note that Romanization can differ depending on the author or source. The table above provides a basis for Korean sounds, but it's best to learn and practice it through a native speaker, textbook, or Korean course.

Tips for mastering Korean pronunciation

Here are some tips to help you master Korean sounds and pronunciation:

• Practice individual sounds repeatedly.
• Pay attention to the differences between similar sounds, such as ㅂ (B) and ㅍ (P).
• Practice reading short words and phrases.
• Try to pick up the Korean accent by listening to Korean speakers.
• Watch Korean dramas or movies with subtitles to help you pick up Korean sounds.
• Record yourself and compare it to a native speaker's pronunciation.
• Practice regularly.

Remember, mastering Korean pronunciation takes practice and time, but it's well worth the effort to communicate effectively with Koreans.

Sources

• Korean Pronunciation Rules | Tips & Tricks to Pronounce Korean ...
• Korean language - Wikipedia
• Korean Pronunciation

Table of Contents - Korean Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

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Korean Alphabets

• Reading and writing Korean Alphabets
• Korean Pronunciation
• Subject and Object Markers

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Greetings and Introductions

• Hello and Goodbye
• Introducing Yourself
• Family and Friends

  ---

Korean Culture and Customs

• Korean Etiquette
• Korean Holidays
• Korean Cuisine

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Sentence Building

• Basic Verb Conjugation
• Question Words
• Connecting Verbs

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Daily Routine

• Daily Activities
• Means of Transportation
• Weather and Seasons

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Korean Pop Culture

• Korean Dramas
• Korean Music
• Korean Cinema

  ---

Describing People and Things

• Describing People
• Describing Things
• Comparatives and Superlatives

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Food and Drinks

• Food and Ingredients
• Drinks
• Cooking and Recipes

  ---

Korean Traditions

• Korean Weddings
• Korean Festivals
• Korean Games and Sports

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Verb Tenses

• Past Tense
• Future Tense
• Progressive Tense

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Travel and Sightseeing

• Travel Vocabulary
• Sightseeing Vocabulary
• Shopping Vocabulary

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Korean Arts and Crafts

• Korean Calligraphy
• Korean Pottery
• Korean Paper Crafts

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Conjunctions and Connectors

• Conjunctions
• Connectors
• Conditional Sentences

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Health and Body

• Body Parts
• Health Vocabulary
• Exercise and Fitness Vocabulary

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Korean Nature

• Korean National Parks
• Korean Folk Villages
• Korean Eco-Friendly Practices

Other Lessons

• Negation
• Connectors
• Describing Things
• Conjunctions
• Adjectives
• Conditional Sentences
• Reading and writing Korean Alphabets
• Comparatives and Superlatives
• Give your Opinion
• How to Use Be

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