Korean script
Learn Hangul as a system
Hangul letters are written in syllable blocks, but the block is assembled from an alphabet. Learn the consonant and vowel pieces first, then the two layout rules that turn them into readable Korean.
Letters first, blocks second
A simple block begins with a consonant and a vowel. If the vowel is vertical, it sits to the right: ㄱ + ㅏ becomes 가. If the vowel is horizontal, it sits below: ㄴ + ㅜ becomes 누.
A third consonant can sit at the bottom as a final, or batchim. That changes both the shape of the block and how it joins the next syllable in speech.
Learn consonants as Korean sound families
Korean distinguishes plain, aspirated, and tense consonants. A single English label such as g or k cannot capture the whole contrast, so compare the Korean series directly and use romanization only as a temporary cue.
Reference
Hangul examples from letters to connected speech
Use the focused pages for a complete chart or rule, then test a mixed sample here.
ㄱ is the normal, low-puff sound in the ㄱ–ㅋ–ㄲ family. It can sound closer to English k or g depending on where it appears, so do not lock it to just one English letter.
ㄴ is an n sound made with the tongue at the ridge behind the upper teeth.
ㄷ is the normal, low-puff sound in the ㄷ–ㅌ–ㄸ family. It can sound closer to English t or d depending on where it appears.
Between vowels, tap your tongue once quickly for ㄹ. At the end of a syllable, keep the tongue touching for an l-like finish. Both sounds come from the same Korean letter.
ㅁ is an m sound made with both lips. Its square shape represents the mouth.
ㅂ is the normal, low-puff sound in the ㅂ–ㅍ–ㅃ family. It can sound closer to English p or b depending on where it appears.
ㅅ is s-like, but before ㅣ and y-vowels it shifts toward sh. At a syllable end it closes as t.
At the start of a syllable, ㅇ is silent and simply holds the vowel's place. At the end, it has the ng sound in sing. Look at its position to know which sound to use.
ㅈ is the normal, low-puff sound in the ㅈ–ㅊ–ㅉ family. It may sound closer to English j or ch depending on where it appears.
ㅊ is the strong-puff sound in the ㅈ–ㅊ–ㅉ family. Release it with a clear burst of air.
ㅋ is the strong-puff sound in the ㄱ–ㅋ–ㄲ family. Release it with a clear burst of air.
ㅌ is the strong-puff sound in the ㄷ–ㅌ–ㄸ family. Release it with a clear burst of air.
ㅍ is the strong-puff sound in the ㅂ–ㅍ–ㅃ family. Open your lips with a clear burst of air.
ㅎ is an h-like breath sound. Between vowels it may become faint. Next to another consonant, it can make that consonant come out with a stronger puff of air.
Open your mouth naturally for ㅏ. It is close to the vowel in father, but a is only a rough English guide to the Korean sound.
Start with a quick y sound and move straight into ㅏ: that makes ㅑ. The second short stroke signals the y sound, and it is still one syllable.
Keep your lips relaxed and do not round them for ㅓ. English has no exact match. The spelling eo is only a label; do not pronounce it as two sounds.
Start with a quick y sound and move into ㅓ: that makes ㅕ. It is one syllable even though the English spelling yeo has three letters.
Round your lips for ㅗ. Its short stroke points up, and the letter sits below the first consonant in a syllable block.
Start with a quick y sound and move into ㅗ: that makes ㅛ. Its two upward strokes distinguish it from ㅗ.
Round your lips for ㅜ. Its short stroke points down, the opposite direction from ㅗ.
Start with a quick y sound and move into ㅜ: that makes ㅠ. The two downward strokes signal the y sound.
Keep your lips flat instead of rounded, and pull your tongue slightly back for ㅡ. English has no exact match.
ㅣ is close to the vowel in machine. Its single upright stroke also forms the base of ㅏ, ㅓ, ㅑ, and ㅕ.
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Practice learn hangul as a system
Choose an answer, read the explanation, and finish the short set without leaving this page.