[Coo-hann-eo Pah-doon] Guide to Korean Pronunciation97


Korean pronunciation can be tricky for native English speakers, but with a little practice, you'll be able to master the basics. Here's a guide to help you get started:Vowels

Korean has 10 vowels, which are pronounced as follows:* ㅏ (a) - pronounced like the "a" in "father"
* ㅑ (ya) - pronounced like the "ya" in "yacht"
* ㅓ (eo) - pronounced like the "o" in "girl"
* ㅕ (yeo) - pronounced like the "yo" in "yolk"
* ㅗ (o) - pronounced like the "o" in "bone"
* ㅛ (yo) - pronounced like the "yo" in "yolk"
* ㅜ (u) - pronounced like the "oo" in "boot"
* ㅠ (yu) - pronounced like the "yu" in "yule"
* ㅡ (eu) - pronounced like the "uh" in "huh" or the "eu" in "neutral"
* ㅣ (i) - pronounced like the "ee" in "cheese"
Consonants

Korean has 19 consonants, which are pronounced as follows:* ㄱ (g) - pronounced like the "k" in "kite"
* ㄴ (n) - pronounced like the "n" in "nose"
* ㄷ (d) - pronounced like the "d" in "dog"
* ㄹ (r) - pronounced like the "r" in "road" or the "l" in "lips"
* ㅁ (m) - pronounced like the "m" in "mom"
* ㅂ (b) - pronounced like the "b" in "boat"
* ㅅ (s) - pronounced like the "s" in "sin"
* ㅆ (ss) - pronounced like the "ss" in "mess"
* ㅇ (ng) - pronounced like the "ng" in "sing" or silent
* ㅈ (j) - pronounced like the "j" in "jet"
* ㅊ (ch) - pronounced like the "ch" in "cheese"
* ㅋ (k) - pronounced like the "k" in "kite"
* ㅌ (t) - pronounced like the "t" in "top"
* ㅍ (p) - pronounced like the "p" in "pop"
* ㅎ (h) - pronounced like the "h" in "hat"
Diphthongs

Korean also has a number of diphthongs, which are combinations of two vowels that are pronounced together as a single syllable.

The most common diphthongs are:* ㅐ (ae) - pronounced like the "ay" in "day"
* ㅒ (yae) - pronounced like the "yay" in "yay"
* ㅔ (e) - pronounced like the "ay" in "day"
* ㅖ (ye) - pronounced like the "yay" in "yay"
* ㅘ (wa) - pronounced like the "wa" in "wash"
* ㅙ (wae) - pronounced like the "way" in "way"
* ㅚ (oe) - pronounced like the "way" in "way"
* ㅝ (wo) - pronounced like the "wo" in "work"
* ㅞ (we) - pronounced like the "way" in "way"
* ㅢ (ui) - pronounced like the "wee" in "wee"
Tone

Korean is a tonal language, which means that the pitch of your voice can change the meaning of a word.

There are two main tones in Korean:* High tone: The pitch of your voice rises at the end of the syllable.
* Low tone: The pitch of your voice stays low throughout the syllable.

Most words in Korean have a high tone, but some words have a low tone. The tone of a word is usually indicated by the tone mark above the vowel.Tips for Pronouncing Korean
* Practice speaking Korean regularly. The more you practice, the easier it will become.
* Listen to native Korean speakers. This will help you get used to the rhythm and intonation of the language.
* Use a Korean dictionary. This will help you look up the pronunciation of words you don't know.
* Take a Korean pronunciation class. This is a great way to get expert help and improve your pronunciation quickly.
With a little practice, you'll be able to master Korean pronunciation and communicate confidently in the language.

2025-01-10


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