Learn to Read Hangul: An Introduction to the Korean Alphabet

Developed by King Sejong the Great, the Hangul was meant to replace the Chinese characters used until the 15th century.

While it may seem complicated to some, the Korean alphabet was invented for easy learning. A 1446 script introduces these Korean letters as something that, “A wise man can master in a morning, and even a stupid person can learn in ten days.”

That said, you too can read Korean and learn the correct pronunciation relatively quickly. If you find yourself asking how does the Korean alphabet work, then here’s a quick overview.

Hangul: A Brief Overview

In the early days, classical Chinese characters were used in the Joseon dynasty. Many have attempted to use Chinese characters and words for spoken Korean, but the results were often imperfect, if not awkward.

Because of this, King Sejong the Great decided to invent a Korean alphabet that will help his people communicate. Thus, the present Hangul alphabet or Korean writing system was born.

How Does the Korean Alphabet Work?

The Korean word Hangul, which was then known in English as the "Correct Sounds for Enlightening the People," initially had 28 letters. Today, there are only 24 letters -- 14 consonants and ten vowels.

This left-to-right alphabet was invented according to articulatory phonetics, or the position of the speech organs.

Korean Syllable Blocks

To read the Korean alphabet, it is vital to master the syllable structure.

It is composed of three parts: the initial consonant, the medial vowel, and the final consonant. It is important to note that not all syllables have initial and final consonants. However, the Korean alphabet vowel needs to be always present in a syllable.

Korean syllable blocks, which are written from left to right, follow a particular arrangement.

The initial consonant sound is situated at either the top or the top left. The Korean alphabet vowel, depending on its shape, is placed below the first consonant’s right. The final consonant letter is ascribed at the bottom.

Korean Consonants

As mentioned, each Korean alphabet letter is fashioned according to the mouth and tongue position when speaking. This has paved the way for five homorganic groupings.

Each comes with a common base form, differentiated by the addition of some structures. This has given Korean consonants somewhat similar structures that are easy to memorize.

The Korean velar characters or molar sounds include the letters ㄱ (G) and ㅋ (K). The basic shape ㄱ shows a side view of the tongue’s back raised toward the soft palate.

The letters ㅅ (S), ㅈ (J), and ㅊ (ch) are termed sibilant consonants. When writing a Korean word, such a dental sound uses the basic shape ㅅ. This shows a side view of the teeth.

ㄴ (N), ㄷ (D), ㅌ (T), andㄹ (L/R) are known as coronal or lingual letters. The basic written shape ㄴ shows the side view of the tongue tip hitting the mouth’s roof.

Bilabial consonants include the letters ㅁ (M), ㅂ (B), and ㅍ (P). This labial sound has a basic shape ㅁ. This shows the outline of the upper and lower lips when they come in contact with one another.

The letters ㅇ (silent/ng) and ㅎ(H) are dorsal consonants made with throat sounds. The basic writing shapeㅇoutlines the throat's shape. ㅇ is silent when used as an initial consonant in words. But as a final consonant, it is pronounced 'ng.'

The Korean language also has double consonants or tense letters. True to the name, these figures are drawn as repetitions of one another. To illustrate:

●        ㄲ - kk

●        ㄸ - tt

●        ㅃ - pp

●        ㅆ - ss

●        ㅉ - jj

Korean Vowels

The Korean vowels are easy to use in words, given their simple designs. The positioning is also forthcoming of its appearance in the syllable structure.

In the Korean language, vowels make use of three elements:

●        A horizontal line representing yin, the flat earth

●        A short stroke that means the sun or the essence of yang

●        A vertical line denoting an upright human, the mediator of heaven and earth

Two elements are seen in vertical line letters, which are so-called because of their design. Any of these are written right of the initial consonant.

●        ㅏ- A

●        ㅔ - E

●        ㅣ - I

O (ㅗ) and U (ㅜ) look like the opposites of one another. Known as horizontal Korean letters, they are written below the initial consonant.

Since the Korean alphabet doesn't have a W, it has a group called compound vowels. They represent a combination of the vowels:

●        ㅘ wa (ㅗ o + ㅏ a)

●        ㅝ wo (ㅜ u + ㅓ eo)

●        ㅙ wae (ㅗ o + ㅐ ae)

●        ㅞ we (ㅜ u + ㅔ e)

Similarly, there is no 'Y' to use for Korean words. These iotized words are drawn by doubling the stroke:

●        ㅑ ya (ㅏ  a)

●        ㅕ yeo (ㅓ  eo)

●        ㅛ yo (ㅗ  o)

●        ㅠ yu ( ㅜ  u)

Is it easy to learn Korean? This is a question that many people ask, but the answer proves to be quite straightforward.

By minding your tongue and mouth position, you can quickly learn enough Korean to converse to natives when you go to South Korea!