Korean Pronunciation Notes: A Comprehensive Resource18

Korean pronunciation can be tricky for native English speakers, but with the right guidance, it can be mastered. These pronunciation notes provide a comprehensive overview of the Korean sound system, including vowels, consonants, and diphthongs. By following these notes, learners can improve their pronunciation and gain a deeper understanding of the Korean language.

Vowels

Korean has 10 vowel sounds, which are represented by the following letters:* ㅏ (a) - Pronounced like the "a" in "father"
* ㅑ (ya) - Pronounced like the "ya" in "yard"
* ㅓ (eo) - Pronounced like the "u" in "cut"
* ㅕ (yeo) - Pronounced like the "yo" in "yoyo"
* ㅗ (o) - Pronounced like the "o" in "boat"
* ㅛ (yo) - Pronounced like the "yo" in "yodel"
* ㅜ (u) - Pronounced like the "oo" in "boot"
* ㅠ (yu) - Pronounced like the "yu" in "yule"
* ㅡ (eu) - Pronounced like the "eu" in "neutral"
* ㅣ (i) - Pronounced like the "ee" in "feet"

Vowels can be either short or long. Short vowels are pronounced for a short period of time, while long vowels are pronounced for a longer period of time. Long vowels are marked with a macron (¯) above the vowel letter.

Consonants

Korean has 19 consonant sounds, which are represented by the following letters:* ㄱ (k) - Pronounced like the "k" in "kite"
* ㄴ (n) - Pronounced like the "n" in "nose"
* ㄷ (t) - Pronounced like the "t" in "top"
* ㄹ (r / l) - Pronounced like the "r" in "run" or the "l" in "love"
* ㅁ (m) - Pronounced like the "m" in "mom"
* ㅂ (p) - Pronounced like the "p" in "pot"
* ㅅ (s) - Pronounced like the "s" in "sun"
* ㅇ (ng / silent) - Pronounced like the "ng" in "sing" or is silent
* ㅈ (j) - Pronounced like the "j" in "jump"
* ㅊ (ch) - Pronounced like the "ch" in "church"
* ㅋ (k) - Pronounced like the "k" in "kite"
* ㅌ (t) - Pronounced like the "t" in "top"
* ㅍ (p) - Pronounced like the "p" in "pot"
* ㅎ (h) - Pronounced like the "h" in "hat"

Consonants can be either voiceless or voiced. Voiceless consonants are produced without using the vocal cords, while voiced consonants are produced with using the vocal cords. Voiced consonants are marked with a small circle below the consonant letter.

Diphthongs

Korean has 5 diphthong sounds, which are combinations of two vowels that are pronounced together as a single syllable. The five diphthongs are:* ㅐ (ae) - Pronounced like the "ai" in "aisle"
* ㅔ (e) - Pronounced like the "ei" in "eight"
* ㅚ (oe) - Pronounced like the "oi" in "oil"
* ㅟ (wi) - Pronounced like the "wi" in "wine"
* ㅢ (ui) - Pronounced like the "ui" in "ruin"

Diphthongs are always pronounced as a single syllable, even though they are made up of two vowels.

Syllable Structure

Korean syllables always have the following structure:* Initial consonant (optional)
* Medial vowel
* Final consonant (optional)

The initial consonant can be any of the 19 consonants listed above. The medial vowel can be any of the 10 vowels listed above. The final consonant can be any of the 19 consonants listed above, except for ㄹ (r / l) and ㅇ (ng / silent).

Stress

Stress in Korean is not fixed. Instead, stress is determined by the length of the vowel in the syllable. Long vowels are stressed, while short vowels are unstressed. Diphthongs are also stressed.

Intonation

Korean intonation is also not fixed. Instead, intonation is used to convey different meanings. For example, a rising intonation can be used to ask a question, while a falling intonation can be used to make a statement.

Conclusion

These pronunciation notes provide a comprehensive overview of the Korean sound system. By following these notes, learners can improve their pronunciation and gain a deeper understanding of the Korean language.

2025-01-09

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