🧠 Learn Korean Consonants and Vowels
🔡 Hangul Combination: How to Read Any Korean Word Today
Master the "Lego System" of Korean sounds and start reading menus, signs, and texts instantly.
🧱 1. The Lego Logic: Consonant + Vowel
Reading Korean is like putting Lego blocks together. Depending on the shape of the vowel, the consonant sits either to the left or on top.
Type A: Vertical Vowels
C + V → 가, 나, 다
Vowels like ㅏ, ㅓ, ㅣ stand next to the consonant.
Type B: Horizontal Vowels
C / V → 고, 누, 드
Vowels like ㅗ, ㅜ, ㅡ sit beneath the consonant.
🍔 2. 1-Minute Reading Challenge: Survival Words
Try combining the sounds below. Don't worry about the meaning yet—focus on the sound-to-block conversion.
| Korean Word | Combination | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 비빔밥 | ㅂ+ㅣ / ㅂ+ㅣ+ㅁ / ㅂ+ㅏ+ㅂ | Bi-bim-bap | Mixed Rice |
| 커피 | ㅋ+ㅓ / ㅍ+ㅣ | Keo-pi | Coffee |
| 서울 | ㅅ+ㅓ / ㅇ+ㅜ+ㄹ | Seo-ul | Seoul |
| 친구 | ㅊ+ㅣ+ㄴ / ㄱ+ㅜ | Chin-gu | Friend |
| 학교 | ㅎ+ㅏ+ㄱ / ㄱ+ㅛ | Hak-gyo | School |
🔇 3. The Mystery of 'ㅇ' (Ieung)
If a syllable starts with a vowel sound (like 'Apple' or 'Ice'), you must put the consonant ㅇ at the beginning. In this position, it is silent.
• 아이 (a-i) = Child. (The 'ㅇ' makes no sound)
• 우유 (u-yu) = Milk. (The 'ㅇ' simply holds the space for the vowel)
👩🏫 Teacher Hoon's expert Tips
When you walk down a street in Korea, try to read only one syllable at a time from neon signs. Don't worry if you don't know the whole word. Reading "커" (Keo) and then "피" (Pi) independently is the first major victory in your journey. For officially verified pronunciation rules, always check the National Institute of Korean Language (NIKL) portal: korean.go.kr.
🌟 Ready for the Next Milestone?
Reading is your ticket to a new life. For a complete roadmap on housing, banking, and social etiquette in Korea, visit our master hub:
Ultimate Guide to Living in Korea 2026🚀 Let's Read Together for 15 Minutes
Still tripping over complex combinations? Let’s practice your favorite K-pop lyrics or a Korean menu 1:1! I’ll help you master the 'Batchim' and the silent 'ㅇ' on the spot. Book a "Reading Fluency" session with Hoon on italki today.
Book a Reading Lesson with HoonUpdated: December 24, 2025 | Part of the "Hangul Masterclass" Expert Series.
