Korean Pronunciation Guide152

Korean is a language spoken by over 75 million people, primarily in South Korea and North Korea. It is a member of the Koreanic language family and is closely related to Jeju, a language spoken on the island of Jeju in South Korea.

Korean has a relatively simple sound system, with 10 vowels and 14 consonants. The vowels are divided into two groups: pure vowels and diphthongs. The pure vowels are /a/, /e/, /i/, /o/, and /u/. The diphthongs are /ai/, /ae/, /eo/, /ye/, and /wi/. The consonants are divided into three groups: stops, fricatives, and affricates. The stops are /p/, /t/, /k/, /b/, /d/, and /g/. The fricatives are /s/, /z/, /ʃ/, /ʒ/, /h/, and /f/. The affricates are /tʃ/ and /dʒ/.

Vowels



Front
Central
Back




High
/i/

/u/


Mid
/e/

/o/


Low
/a/

Diphthongs



Front
Central
Back




Closing
/ai/

/wi/


Opening
/ae/

/eo/


Centered
/ye/

Consonants



Labial
Dental/
Alveolar
Palatal
Velar




Stops
/p/, /b/
/t/, /d/

/k/, /g/


Fricatives
/f/
/s/, /z/
/ʃ/, /ʒ/
/h/


Affricates

/tʃ/, /dʒ/





Nasals
/m/
/n/

Pronunciation Tips* The vowels in Korean are pronounced very clearly and distinctly.
* The consonants are pronounced with a slight aspiration.
* The diphthongs are pronounced with a smooth transition from one vowel to the next.
* The affricates are pronounced with a strong release of air.
* The nasals are pronounced with a slight nasalization.

With a little practice, you will be able to pronounce Korean words and phrases with confidence. Here are some additional tips to help you improve your pronunciation:* Listen to native speakers. The best way to learn how to pronounce Korean is to listen to native speakers. You can find native speakers online, or you can take a Korean language class.
* Record yourself. Once you have listened to native speakers, try recording yourself pronouncing Korean words and phrases. This will help you to identify any areas where your pronunciation needs improvement.
* Get feedback. If you are taking a Korean language class, your teacher will be able to give you feedback on your pronunciation. You can also ask native speakers to help you improve your pronunciation.

With a little effort, you will be able to pronounce Korean words and phrases with confidence. So what are you waiting for? Get started today!

2024-11-14

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