Learning Hangul (Korean Alphabet)

May 27, 2024

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Learning to Read Hangul (Korean Alphabet)

Overview

  • Hangul consists of consonants and vowels.
  • Total of 14 basic consonants and 10 basic vowels.
  • Double consonants and additional vowels add complexity.

Consonants

  • 14 Basic Consonants
    • **
    • γ„΄ (n) - Looks like a nose.
    • γ„· (d) - Looks like a door.
    • γ„Ή (r/l) - Looks like a rattlesnake, somewhere between 'L' and 'R' sound.
    • ㅁ (m) - Looks like a mouth.
    • γ…‚ (b) - Looks like a bucket.
    • γ…… (s) - Looks like someone standing.
    • γ…‡ (ng) - No sound on its own, follows the vowel sound.
    • γ…ˆ (j) - Similar to 'z' as well.
    • γ…Š (ch) - Additional line above γ…ˆ.
    • γ…‹ (k) - Pull the trigger of a gun analogy.
    • γ…Œ (t) - Two doors analogy.
    • ㅍ (p) - Looks like a person in a hat.
    • γ…Ž (h) - A man in a hat.

Vowels

  • 10 Basic Vowels
    • ㅏ (a): Vertical line then horizontal.
    • γ…‘ (ya): Vertical line then two horizontal lines.
    • γ…“ (eo): Horizontal line then vertical.
    • γ…• (yeo): Two horizontal lines then vertical.
    • γ…£ (i): Single vertical line.
    • γ…— (o): Short vertical then horizontal.
    • γ…› (yo): Two short verticals then horizontal.
    • γ…œ (u): Horizontal then vertical.
    • γ…  (yu): Horizontal then two verticals.
    • γ…‘ (eu): Single horizontal line.

Forming Words

  • Combine consonants and vowels to form words.
    • Example: λ‚˜λΉ„ (Nabi) - Butterfly.

Double Consonants

  • 5 double consonants: γ„², γ„Έ, γ…ƒ, γ…†, γ…‰
  • Double versions add tension to pronunciation.
  • Example: γ„± -> γ„² (gun -> strong 'g').

Practice Words

  • Practice combination of consonants and vowels.
    • Example: μ½”ν”Ό (Kopi) - Coffee.
    • Example: λ‚˜λΌ (Nara) - Nation/Country.

Patsim (Final Consonant)

  • Consonant that comes last in the syllable block.
  • Examples of consonants as Patsim:
    • γ„± -> κ°€ -> λ‚™ (Nak).
    • γ„΄ -> κ°„ -> λ‚œ (Nan).
    • γ„· -> λ‹« -> λ‹· (Dat).
    • ㅁ -> 감 -> 남 (Nam).
    • γ…‚ -> ν•© -> λ°₯ (Pap).
  • Notable patterns:
    • γ„·-Patsim sound: /t/ (e.g., 맛 -> 'mat' not 'mad').
    • Similar sounds dropped at end positions to create clean finishes.

Additional Vowels

  • 11 more vowels:
    • Vertical vowels beside consonant.
    • Horizontal vowels below consonant.
    • Variants with doubled strokes add 'Y' sound.
    • Example vowels: ㅐ, γ…’, γ…”, γ…–, γ…™, γ…ž, γ…š, γ…™, ㅝ, γ…ž.

Conclusion

  • Review consonants and vowels.
  • Practice words to solidify understanding.
  • Future video will cover in-depth rules for Patsim (final consonants).

Resources

  • YouTube Channel for more videos on Hangul and Korean language.
  • Practice with interactive apps to strengthen reading and writing.