The 79 Korean Consonant Sounds: A Comprehensive Guide255

Introduction

The Korean language boasts a rich and complex phonological system, characterized by its unique syllable structure and consonant inventory. Among the most distinctive features of Korean pronunciation are its 79 consonants, a number that far exceeds the consonant inventories of most other languages. This guide will provide a comprehensive overview of these 79 Korean consonant sounds, covering their phonetic symbols, articulation, and usage in the language.

Consonant Classes

The 79 Korean consonants are organized into several classes based on their phonetic features:
Plosives: These consonants are produced by a complete closure of the vocal tract, followed by a sudden release of air. Korean has 15 plosive sounds: ㄱ (g), ㅋ (k), ㄷ (d), ㅌ (t), ㅂ (b), ㅍ (p), ㅈ (j), ㅊ (ch), ㄱ (gg), ㄲ (kk), ㄸ (dd), ㅆ (ss), ㅂ (bb), ㅍ (pp), ㅈ (jj).
Nasals: These consonants are produced by allowing air to flow through the nasal cavity. Korean has 5 nasal sounds: ㅁ (m), ㄴ (n), ㅇ (ng), ㄹ (l), ㅇ (n̄).
Fricatives: These consonants are produced by a narrow constriction in the vocal tract, causing air to flow turbulently. Korean has 10 fricative sounds: ㅅ (s), ㅈ (z), ㅎ (h), ㅋ (kh), ㅍ (ph), ㅊ (chh), ㅅ (ss), ㅈ (jj), ㅋ (khh), ㅍ (pph).
Affricates: These consonants combine the characteristics of plosives and fricatives, starting with a closure and ending with a release and friction. Korean has 7 affricate sounds: ㅈ (j), ㅊ (ch), ㅉ (jj), ㄸ (dd), ㅆ (ss), ㅉ (jjh), ㄸ (ddh).
Trills: These consonants are produced by a rapid vibration of the tongue tip. Korean has 1 trill sound: ㄹ (r).
Approximants: These consonants are produced by a close but not complete closure of the vocal tract. Korean has 5 approximant sounds: ㅇ (w), ㅇ (y), ㄹ (l), ㅇ (r̄), ㅇ (j̄).

Articulation

Each consonant in Korean has its own unique phonetic symbol and articulation. The following table provides a detailed breakdown of their phonetic symbols, articulation, and examples:

Consonant
Phonetic Symbol
Articulation
Example


ㄱ
/g/
Voiced velar plosive
곰 (bear)


ㅋ
/k/
Voiceless velar plosive
코 (nose)


ㄷ
/d/
Voiced alveolar plosive
도 (island)


ㅌ
/t/
Voiceless alveolar plosive
토 (soil)


ㅂ
/b/
Voiced bilabial plosive
바 (sea)


ㅍ
/p/
Voiceless bilabial plosive
포 (cannon)


ㅈ
/j/
Voiced palatal affricate
작 (work)


ㅊ
/ch/
Voiceless palatal affricate
축 (축제)


ㄱ
/gg/
Aspirated voiced velar plosive
갔 (went)


ㄲ
/kk/
Aspirated voiceless velar plosive
꽃 (flower)


ㄸ
/dd/
Aspirated voiced alveolar plosive
따 (separate)


ㅆ
/ss/
Aspirated voiceless alveolar plosive
싸 (fight)


ㅂ
/bb/
Aspirated voiced bilabial plosive
밥 (rice)


ㅍ
/pp/
Aspirated voiceless bilabial plosive
ப்ப (boat)


ㅈ
/jj/
Aspirated voiced palatal affricate
젖 (milk)


ㅁ
/m/
Voiced bilabial nasal
마 (horse)


ㄴ
/n/
Voiced alveolar nasal
나 (me)


ㅇ
/ng/
Voiced velar nasal
방 (room)


ㄹ
/l/
Voiced alveolar lateral
라 (la)


ㅇ
/n̄/
Nasalized alveolar stop
한 (one)


ㅅ
/s/
Voiceless alveolar fricative
사 (사과)


ㅈ
/z/
Voiced alveolar fricative
자 (myself)


ㅎ
/h/
Voiceless glottal fricative
하 (sky)


ㅋ
/kh/
Aspirated voiceless velar fricative
카 (car)


ㅍ
/ph/
Aspirated voiceless bilabial fricative
파 (wave)


ㅊ
/chh/
Aspirated voiceless palatal fricative
차 (tea)


ㅅ
/ss/
Doubled voiceless alveolar fricative
싸 (fight)


ㅈ
/jj/
Doubled voiced alveolar fricative
짜 (salty)


ㅋ
/khh/
Doubled aspirated voiceless velar fricative
까 (corvus)


ㅍ
/pph/
Doubled aspirated voiceless bilabial fricative
빠 (fast)


ㄹ
/r/
Voiced alveolar trill
라 (la)


ㅇ
/w/
Voiced labiovelar approximant
왜 (why)


ㅇ
/y/
Voiced palatal approximant
요 (yes)


ㅇ
/r̄/
Nasalized alveolar approximant
산 (mountain)


ㅇ
/j̄/
Nasalized palatal approximant
연 (lotus)

Usage

The 79 Korean consonants are used in combination with vowels to form syllables, which are the basic building blocks of Korean words. Each consonant has its own unique distribution and usage rules within syllables and words. Understanding the proper usage of consonants is essential for correct Korean pronunciation and comprehension.

In addition to their basic pronunciation, many Korean consonants undergo changes in certain contexts.

2025-01-19

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