Are you trying to learn Korean or just curious about the language?
The Korean alphabet, Hangul, consists of 24 letters: 14 Korean consonants and 10 vowels. So, what are the vowels in the alphabet? The vowels are all monophthongs, meaning they are pronounced with a single vowel sound.
Let’s look at how it works, why it’s important, and describe some of its features in detail.
INDEX
List of Korean Vowels
Korean vowels are pronounced differently depending on their position in a syllable. There are 10 basic vowels in Korean, which can be divided into two groups: basic Korean vowels and double.
Basic Vowels
The basic Korean vowels are a fundamental part of the Korean language. By learning the basic vowels, you will be able to pronounce Korean words correctly and understand Korean conversations.
There are 10 basic Korean vowels, which are:
- ㅏ (a)
- ㅑ (ya)
- ㅓ (eo)
- ㅕ (yeo)
- ㅗ (o)
- ㅛ (yo)
- ㅜ (u)
- ㅠ (yu)
- ㅡ (eu)
- ㅣ (i)
The basic Korean vowels can be combined to create more complex vowels. These can also be modified by adding a consonant to the front or back of the vowel.
Double Vowels
Double vowels are formed by combining two basic vowels. The first vowel is written above the second vowel. For example, ㅐ is formed by combining the vowels ㅏ and ㅔ.
Some Korean double vowels include:
- ㅐ (ae)
- ㅔ (e)
- ㅖ (ye)
- ㅚ (wi)
- ㅘ (wa)
- ㅙ (wae)
- ㅢ (ui)
- ㅒ (yae)
- ㅞ (we)
- ㅝ (wo)
- ㅢ (ui)
Double vowels can be used in any position in a Korean word.
Korean Vowels Pronunciation
Here are some examples of how to pronounce Korean vowels in different positions in a Korean syllable:
- ㅏ (a) – pronounced as the “ah” sound in “hat” when it is the first vowel in a syllable. For example, the word “아침” (achim) is pronounced as “ah-chim.”
- ㅓ (eo) – pronounced as the “uh” sound in “uh-oh” when it is the first vowel in a syllable. For example, the word “어제” (eoje) is pronounced as “uh-jeh.”
- ㅗ (o) – pronounced as the “oh” sound in “hot” when it is the first vowel in a syllable. For example, the word “옷” (ot) is pronounced as “oht.”
- ㅜ (u) – pronounced as the “oo” sound in “moon” when it is the first vowel in a syllable. For example, the word “울” (ul) is pronounced as “ool.”
- ㅡ (eu) – pronounced as the “uh” sound in “uh-oh” when it is the first vowel in a syllable. For example, the word “없다” (eobsda) is pronounced as “uh-b-sda.”
- ㅐ (ae) – pronounced as the “ay” sound in “day” when it is the first vowel in a syllable. For example, the word “아이” (ai) is pronounced as “ay-i.”
- ㅔ (e) – pronounced as the “eh” sound in “bed” when it is the first vowel in a syllable. For example, the word “ㅔ서” (eseo) is pronounced as “eh-suh.”
- ㅒ (ya) – pronounced as the “yay” sound in “they” when it is the first vowel in a syllable. For example, the word “야” (ya) is pronounced as “yay-ah.”
- ㅖ (yeo) – pronounced as the “yoh” sound in “yodel” when it is the first vowel in a syllable. For example, the word “여기” (yeogi) is pronounced as “yoh-gee.”
- ㅘ (wa) – pronounced as the “wah” sound in “what” when it is the first vowel in a syllable. For example, the word “와” (wa) is pronounced as “wah-ah.”
It’s important to note that the Korean vowels are pronounced differently than the English vowels. Unlike Korean double consonants, double Korean vowels are pronounced as single vowel sound. The first vowel in the combination determines the pronunciation of the double vowel sound.
Here are some tips for pronouncing Korean vowels correctly:
- Keep your mouth relaxed. Korean vowels are generally pronounced with a relaxed mouth, not a tense one. This is in contrast to some languages, such as English, where vowels are often pronounced with a more tense mouth.
- Don’t round your lips. Vowels are not rounded, so don’t round your lips when you pronounce them. This is in contrast to French, where vowels are often pronounced with rounded lips.
- Do not diphthongize the vowels. These vowels are not diphthongized, so they maintain their original sound throughout their pronunciation.
- Pay attention to your tongue’s position. The position of your tongue is very important for pronouncing Korean vowels correctly.
- Practice, practice, practice! There are resources to help you practice, such as online courses, apps, and textbooks.
Tips to Learn Korean Vowels
Here are tips that may help you learn vowels more effectively:
- Use mnemonic devices. These are memory aids to help you remember information and easily master Korean pronunciation.
- Use flashcards. Flashcards are a great way to practice pronouncing Korean vowels and consonant letters. You can create your flashcards, or you can find a variety of flashcard sets online.
- Watch Korean TV shows and movies. Watching Korean TV shows and movies can help you get a feel for how Korean vowels are used in real-world conversations.
- Listen to Korean music. Listening to Korean music can help you train your ear to recognize the different Korean vowels.
- Talk to native Korean speakers. Even native Korean speakers are the best way to get feedback on your pronunciation. If you don’t know any native Korean speakers, you can find online chats and forums where you can practice speaking with other Korean learners.
With effort, you will be able to master Korean letters and vowels and start speaking Korean like a native speaker!
