Learn to Read and Write Korean

OK,

As confusing as the following may seem, let me reassure you that learning to read and write Korean is not that difficult. All it takes is a bit of time and effort.

If you learn to read and write the Korean alphabet, it will allow you to do more things, and you will be a local hero. So, go ahead and use this guide to get started.

Just write the characters over and over and memorize the basic sound. Then, you can have a Korean friend correct you and help you get a more exact sound.

Hope this is a good starting point.

The Consonants

Due to the subjective nature of language, pronunciations will vary from region to region as well as person to person.

Hangul Pronunciation at the...
Start of a word Start of a syllable End of a word
ㄱ k (kite) c (can) k (walk)
ㄲ g (gone) <- same <- same
ㄴ n (now) <- same <- same
ㄷ t (talk) d (mind) t (hot)
ㄸ d (dog) <- same <- same
ㄹ r (run) <- same l (real)
ㅁ m (mop) <- same m (hum)
ㅂ p (pool) b (bay) p (lap)
ㅃ b (bird) <- same <- same
ㅅ s (show) <- same t (hot)
ㅆ s (sun) <- same t (hot)
ㅇ silent <- same ng (ring)
ㅈ ch (chop) j (jar) t (hot)
ㅉ j (jihad) <- same t (hot)
ㅊ ch (itch) <- same t (hot)
ㅋ kh (khaki) <- same <- same
ㅌ t (tip) <- same t (hot)
ㅍ p (pit) <- same p (lap)
ㅎ h (hot) <- same silent
.
The Vowels

Due to the subjective nature of language, pronunciations will vary from region to region as well as person to person.
Hangul Pronunciation

ㅒ yae (yak)
ㅖ yeh (yes)
ㅘ wah (wand)
ㅙ wae (wax)
ㅝ wuh (wonder)
ㅞ weh (web)
ㅚ weh (wait)
ㅟ wee (week)
ㅢ uey (muey)

ㅏ ah (Rah)
ㅓ uh (run)
ㅗ oh (dough)
ㅜ oo (moon)
ㅡ uh (brook)
ㅣ ee (meek)
ㅐ ae (at)
ㅔ eh (met)
ㅑ yah (yawn)
ㅕ yuh (yum)
ㅛ yoh (yodel)
ㅠ yoo (view)


Syllable Construction

Syllables are always constructed beginning with a consonant. Then a vowel follows. The syllable could stop here, or there could be another consonant, or two. The syllable begins with the initial consonant on the left or top and the vowel(s) and other consonant(s) follow to the right or bottom, like this:

가 where ㄱ "k" is the consonant, and ㅏ "ah" is the vowel. It is pronounced "Kah".

고 where ㄱ "k" is the consonant, and ㅗ "oh" is the vowel. It is pronounced "Koh".

When constructing syllables, always move from left to right and top to bottom. This is the same for reading. Sound out the initial consonant and then the following vowel(s), making it flow into the other ending consonant(s), if any. It's just like reading in English. Read left to right, sounding out each letter. And there you have the pronunciation of the syllable. Then move on to the next syllable. Words are separated by spaces, and syllables are right next to each other. Again, just like in English.

달 where ㄷ "t" is the consonant, and ㅏ "ah" is the vowel, followed by another consonant, ㄹ "l". It is pronounced "Tahl".

돌 where ㄷ "t" is the consonant, and ㅗ "oh" is the vowel, followed by another consonant, ㄹ "l". It is pronounced "Tohl".

When writing Hangul, start in the upper left of the letter and move left to right, top to bottom. Always write the characters in this manner. If you practice this way, then as you write more and more, your Korean writing will become more natural. This way even your quickly and messily written Hangul will be legible to Koreans.


Some Examples

I'm American.
제가 미국인입니다.
Che-ga meegookin imneeda.

I'm studying Korean.
한국말을 공부합니다.
Hangook-mal-ul kongbu-hamneeda.
or: Hangoong-mal-ul kongbu-hamneeda.

My name is Charles.
제 이름은 Charles입니다.
Che eerum-un Charles imneeda.

I like exercising.
운동을 좋아해요.
Oondong-ul cho-ah-haeyo.

He speaks English well.
저분은 영어를 잘 합니다.
Cho-boon-un yongo-rul chal hamneeda.

I live in Seoul.
저는 서울에서 살고 있습니다.
Cho-nun soh-ul-eh-soh salgo issumneeda.

Where do you work?
어디에서 일하십니까?
Oh-dee-eh-soh il-ha-shimni-gha?

(We're) eating now.
지금 식사하는 중입니다.
Chi-gum shiksa-hanun joong-imneeda.

This is delicious.
맛있어요.
Mashee-eessoyo.

Kim Mi Kyong is a student.
김 미경은 학생입니다.
Kim mee kyong-un hak-saeng imneeda.

It looks like rain.
비가 올 것 같아요.
Piga ol goht katahyo.

I can read Korean.
한글을 읽을 수 있어요.
Hangul-ul ilgul soo issoyo.


Korean Grammar Lessons

Once you have learned how to read, move on to these lessons.

Lesson 1 - Subjects and Objects

Korean can be easy to read because there are special markers that indicate what is the subject and object, and most of the time the verb is at the end of the sentence. The subject markers are '가' and '이'. Which one do you use and when? When the subject ends in a vowel, use '가', and use '이' when it ends in a consonant.

As for object markers, '을' follows when the object ends with a consonant, and '를' when it ends in a vowel.

진수가 밥을 먹습니다.
Jinsoo eats rice.
(Jinsoo rice eats.)

미경이 영화를 봤습니다.
Mi Kyong watched a movie.
(Mi Kyong movie watched.)
Sometimes the subject markers change from '이' to '은' and '가' to '는'. This is done to contrast something or simply present a topic. Sometimes '은' and '는' are used for emphasis in any part of the sentence, so they will not always indicate the subject.

나는 아침에 일찍 일어납니다.
I get up early in the morning.
(I in the morning early get up.)

이 연필은 참 좋습니다.
This pencil is really nice.
(This pencil really good.)

Was that fun? Hope so!

Jason Cresswell
Use your new knowledge in Korea