Hangul · block building
How Hangul syllable blocks work
A Hangul block is not a single picture. It is an alphabetic syllable assembled from an opening consonant, a vowel, and sometimes a final consonant.
Vertical vowels go right
With a vertical vowel such as ㅏ or ㅓ, place the vowel to the right of the opening consonant. ㄱ + ㅏ becomes 가; ㄴ + ㅓ becomes 너.
Horizontal vowels go below
With a horizontal vowel such as ㅗ or ㅜ, place the vowel under the opening consonant. ㄷ + ㅗ becomes 도; ㄹ + ㅜ becomes 루.
The block changes its layout to stay compact, but the reading order remains opening consonant then vowel. A final consonant, when present, comes last at the bottom.
Reference
Block-building examples
Read each pair left to right, then see how the vowel orientation determines the finished block.
ㅏ is vertical, so it sits to the right of ㄱ and forms 가.
ㅓ sits to the right of ㄴ, with its short stroke facing the consonant.
Horizontal ㅗ sits below ㄷ, forming the square block 도.
Horizontal ㅜ lies below ㄹ to make 루.
Upright ㅣ takes the right side of ㅁ and forms 미.
ㅂ fills the left and ㅏ the right of the block 바.
ㅓ faces left toward ㅅ and forms 서.
Initial ㅇ is silent and sits above ㅗ, so 오 begins with the vowel alone.
Horizontal ㅜ forms the lower half under ㅈ and makes 주.
Vertical ㅏ sits to the right of ㅎ and makes 하.
Try it now
Practice how hangul syllable blocks work
Choose an answer, read the explanation, and finish the short set without leaving this page.