The Korean writing system "Hangul" is one of the most scientific and systematic writing systems in the world. Hangul is made of an alphabet of 21 vowel and 19 consonant symbols.
Vowels
Hangul has a total of 21 vowel symbols. Among them are 11 basic vowel
and ten double-vowel symbols. The basic vowel symbols include:
ㅏ = a
ㅐ = ae
ㅓ = eo
ㅔ = e
ㅗ = o
ㅚ = oe
ㅜ = u
ㅟ = ui
ㅡ = eu
ㅢ = eui
ㅣ = i
Ten double-vowel symbols are made of either adding one more stroke to some of the above basic vowel symbols or combining some basic vowel symbols together. For instance, the following six double-vowel symbols are results of adding one more stroke (adding the y sound) to the first six vowel symbols above (e.g., adding a stroke to ㅏ "a" you get ㅑ "ya").
ㅑ = ya
ㅒ = yae
ㅕ = yeo
ㅖ = ye
ㅛ = yo
ㅠ = yu
Another four double-vowel symbols are made up of combining some of the basic vowel symbols together (e.g., combining ㅗ "o" and ㅏ "a" produces ㅘ "wa")
ㅘ = wa
ㅙ = wae
ㅝ = weo
ㅞ = we
Consonants
Hangul has 19 consonant symbols, as shown below:
ㄱ = g
(ㄲ) = kk
ㄴ = n
ㄷ = d
(ㄸ) = tt
ㄹ = r/l
ㅁ = m
ㅂ = b
(ㅃ) = bb/pp
ㅅ = s
(ㅆ) = ss
ㅇ = ng
ㅈ = j
(ㅉ) = jj
ㅊ = ch
ㅋ = k
ㅌ = t
ㅍ = p
ㅎ = h
The use of the ㅇ symbol is special in that it is used as zero-value consonant when it appears before a vowel. It functions as a place holder in a word-initial position, so that the letter "a" should be written in Korean as 아 (not ㅏ).
QUICK RULES
a. When ㅅ is followed directly by ㅣ, it should be Romanized as shi.
Example: 다시 (again) would be dashi.
b. To avoid confusion of syllables, a hyphen can be used.
Example: 후에 (after) would be hu-e.
c. When ㄱ, ㄷ, ㄹ, ㅂ are found directly before vowel, they are Romanized as g, d, r, b.
d. When ㄱ, ㄷ, ㄹ, ㅂ are found directly before a consonant, they should be Romanized as k, t, r, p.
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KOREAN FOR BEGINNERS
RandomThis is a Korean language guide for those who want to learn and improve their Korean language skills. You will also find some exercises at the end of each lessons, so feel free to answer them in the comment section below. I update this book almost e...
