🧠 Learn Korean Consonants and Vowels
✅ Updated · This post is continuously revised and improved based on reader feedback.
🔡 Hangul Sounds — Read Korean in Hours (자음·모음 핵심)
Still mixing up ㅐ/ㅔ or ㅡ/ㅜ? Use this simple path to nail Hangul sounds—so you can read menus, signs, and chats today.
한글은 논리적인 표음 문자예요. 기본 규칙만 알면 바로 읽을 수 있어요. 천천히 단계별로 따라와 보세요!
📌 Helpful before you start
☰ Contents
📘 What is Hangul?
Hangul (한글) is a logical, phonetic script created in the 15th century. It has 14 basic consonants and 10 basic vowels.
한글은 소리를 글자로 적는 체계예요. 기본 자음 14개, 모음 10개가 있어요.
🧱 How blocks work (C + V + (C))
Korean syllables are written in square blocks. Most blocks are Consonant + Vowel (+ Final Consonant).
- 안녕하세요 → 안 + 녕 + 하 + 세 + 요
- 블록은 글자 한 덩어리예요. 모양을 보며 읽어 보세요.
🅰️ Consonants (자음 14)
| Hangul | Romanization | Sound |
|---|---|---|
| ㄱ | g/k | “g” in go |
| ㄴ | n | “n” in no |
| ㄷ | d/t | “d” in dog |
| ㄹ | r/l | Between r & l |
| ㅁ | m | “m” in mom |
| ㅂ | b/p | “b” in boy |
| ㅅ | s | “s” in sun |
| ㅇ | ∅/ng | silent at start; “ng” at end |
| ㅈ | j | “j” in juice |
| ㅊ | ch | “ch” in chat |
| ㅋ | k | “k” in kite |
| ㅌ | t | “t” in top |
| ㅍ | p | “p” in pen |
| ㅎ | h | “h” in hat |
KR 한 줄: ㅇ은 처음=소리 없음, 끝=ng 소리.
🔤 Vowels (모음 10)
| Hangul | Romanization | Sound |
|---|---|---|
| ㅏ | a | “a” in father |
| ㅓ | eo | “uh” like sun |
| ㅗ | o | “o” in go |
| ㅜ | u | “oo” in boot |
| ㅡ | eu | back “uu” with flat lips |
| ㅣ | i | “ee” in see |
| ㅐ | ae | “e” in bed (wider) |
| ㅔ | e | “e” in bed (tighter) |
| ㅚ | oe | close to “we” |
| ㅟ | wi | “wee” in week |
Tips: ㅐ vs ㅔ는 입 벌림 크기 차이, ㅡ vs ㅜ는 입술 모양 차이(평평 vs 동그랗게).
🎯 Practice — read these
- 바다 (ba-da) — sea
- 하늘 (ha-neul) — sky
- 엄마 (eom-ma) — mom
- 아빠 (a-ppa) — dad
- 학교 (hak-gyo) — school
천천히 블록별로 읽어 보세요. 틀려도 괜찮아요. 입 모양을 크게 바꿔 보세요.
📝 Mini-Quiz — click to reveal
1) Which vowel has flat lips: ㅜ or ㅡ?
ㅡ
2) Which pair is wider: ㅐ or ㅔ?
ㅐ
3) In final position, ㅇ sounds like…?
ng
⚠️ Common mistakes
- Confusing ㅐ/ㅔ → record yourself; check mouth width.
- Mixing ㅡ/ㅜ → flatten vs round the lips.
- Forgetting ㅇ at start is silent, but at end is ng.
- 영어식 철자에 의존하지 말고, 입모양·혀 위치를 의식하세요.
👩🏫 Teacher’s Tips
- 2-minute drill: ㅐ/ㅔ, ㅡ/ㅜ 교차 연습 10회씩. 거울로 입모양 확인해 보세요.
- Menu scan: 카페 메뉴에서 모음만 눈으로 읽기(아-어-오-우-으). 짧게, 자주!
- 댓글에 단어 3개를 남기면 발음 힌트를 드릴게요.
Official resources — bookmark these
-
National Institute of Korean Language — Standard Korean Dictionary
Authoritative meanings, usage notes, and example sentences. Great for checking real definitions.
공식 표준국어대사전. 뜻·용례가 정확해요. -
NIKL — Open Dictionary of Korean (우리말샘)
Broad, living dictionary with newer words and variants; helpful when a term isn’t in the standard dictionary.
새말·신조어까지 폭넓게 수록. 표준 사전에 없을 때 유용해요. -
King Sejong Institute Online
Free courses, videos, and graded practice from beginner to advanced with cultural notes.
세종학당 온라인 강좌. 단계별 학습·문화 설명이 좋아요. -
TOPIK Official (NIIED)
Exam info, schedule, sample questions, and past papers for genuine test prep.
토픽 공식 사이트. 일정·접수·기출 문제 확인 가능. -
NIKL Portal
Central hub linking pronunciation/spelling rules and language policy resources.
국립국어원 포털. 맞춤법·발음 규정 확인에 좋아요.
🌏 Culture Note
Koreans value clear vowel contrast; small mouth changes carry meaning. Good vowel control = easy listening.
모음 차이를 정확히 내면 듣는 사람이 편해요. 작은 차이가 뜻을 바꿀 수 있어요.
🔗 Explore more & next steps
📅 italki mini-session (10–15 min)
Bring 5 words you want to read. We’ll fix ㅐ/ㅔ and ㅡ/ㅜ on the spot and build your 2-minute routine.
Get coaching on italki