Korean Pronunciation and Basic Phrases

Overview

This lecture introduces the basics of Korean pronunciation using Romanized symbols, key conversational phrases, and officer ranks, preparing learners for basic interactions in Korean.

Korean Pronunciation: Vowels

• Hangul (Korean alphabet) is introduced in Unit 9; Romanization is used for now.
• A is pronounced as in "father" (e.g., Aju).
• E is pronounced as in "bed" (e.g., sit).
• I is pronounced as "ee" in "see" (e.g., edi).
• O is pronounced as in "born" (without the R, e.g., 오십시오).
• U is pronounced as in "rude" (e.g., kudu).
• AE is pronounced as in "cat" (e.g., teri).
• Barred O (“ŏ”) is pronounced as in "mother".
• Barred U (“ŭ”) is as in "put" (lips not rounded).
• Y before a vowel combines as in English (e.g., yo).
• W before a vowel combines similarly (e.g., wae).

Korean Pronunciation: Consonants

• Consonants may have apostrophes for "aspirated" sounds (requiring a puff of air).
• Double consonants are tensed and not aspirated.
• G as in "go", K unaspirated as in "book", K' (aspirated) as in "kick".
• Double K is a tense sound, like "sky".
• B as in "boy", P unaspirated as in "top", P' (aspirated) as in "pool".
• Double P is tense, like in "speak".
• D as in "day", T unaspirated as in "bit", T' (aspirated) as in "take".
• Double T is tense, like in "stay".
• J as in "measure", CH as in "change", CH' as in "chew".
• TCH is a tense "tch" as in "pitcher".
• S is as in "say" but weaker, SS is stronger, SH as in "she".
• H as in "hand", M, N, NG as in English words.
• L as in "look", R similar to "r" in "through".

Key Korean Phrases & Greetings

• 안녕하십니까? (Annyeonghasimnikka?) — used for "hello," any time of day.
• 네 (Nae) — "yes," as a greeting acknowledgment.
• 오래간만입니다 (Oreganmanimnida) — "It's been a long time."
• 어떻게 지내십니까? (Eotteoke jinaesimnikka?) — "How are you getting along?"
• 잘 지냅니다 (Jal jinaemnida) — "I'm getting along fine."
• 요새 바쁘십니까? (Yosae bappeusimnikka?) — "Are you busy these days?"
• 별로 안 바쁩니다 (Byeollo an bappeumnida) — "I'm not really busy."
• 선생님 (Seonsaengnim) — polite way to say "Mr." or "teacher."
• 님 (Nim) — honorific, used with ranks or names for respect.

Officer Ranks & Address

• Example ranks: 준위 (Warrant Officer), 소위 (Second Lieutenant), 중위 (First Lieutenant), 소령 (Major), 중령 (Lieutenant Colonel), 대령 (Colonel).
• 님 ("nim") is added to names/titles for politeness, especially for seniors.
• Korean military uses the same rank titles for all services.

Key Terms & Definitions

• Hangul — The Korean alphabet.
• Romanization — Writing Korean sounds using the Roman alphabet.
• Apostrophe (') — Marks aspirated consonants (with a strong puff of air).
• Tense Consonant — A double consonant pronounced with increased muscle tension, not an extra sound.
• 님 (Nim) — Honorific title indicating respect.

Action Items / Next Steps

• Practice pronouncing Romanized Korean vowel and consonant sounds.
• Listen and repeat key conversational phrases until you understand them without the text.
• Memorize officer ranks and practice using 님 with titles/names.
• Complete the exercises matching Korean and English greetings, ranks, and phrases.
• Review the objectives and the English equivalent of the Unit 1 conversation before moving on.