Korean Words - How To Read

Continue from the last lesson where we already go through the Introduction of Korean alphabet, now we shall proceed to next - to read the Korean words!!! Getting excited??

Generally Korean word is combine with this pattern:
1. Korean word always start with first consonant, follow by vowel, and follow with final consonant if more.
2. Always read Korean word from left to right, top to bottom.

For example:

1. 가다 which mean to go is pronounce as "ga da". Read the alphabet from left to right - "ㄱ"+"ㅏ"="ga" and "ㄷ"+"ㅏ"= "da"
2. 오다 which mean to come is pronounce as "o da". Read the alphabet from top to bottom - "ㅇ"+"ㅗ"="o" because "ㅇ" is first consonant therefore no sound. Combine with "ㅗ" turn 오 pronounce as "o" and "ㄷ"+"ㅏ"= "da"
3. 먹다 which mean to eat is "meok da" but "ㅓ" is pronounce more like "o" so is "mok da". Start from top "ㅁ"+"ㅓ" and bottom + "ㄱ"="mok" and "ㄷ"+"ㅏ"= "da"

Refer to my previous lesson to learn and differentiate the sound of some tricky alphabet such as "ㅓ", "ㅗ", "ㅐ", "ㅔ", and also double consonants "ㄲ", "ㅆ", "ㅉ", "ㅃ".

I would like to show more example for case like in example 2.
Take "밥이" for example, if there is a final consonant before the first consonant "ㅇ", that final consonant will move to take over the place of "ㅇ". Therefore "밥이" will be pronounce "바비" = "ba bi"
For more example you can refer to this link , which source from Sogang University =)

The more confusing part is when you meet with the Korean word that end with final double consonant, not "ㄲ", "ㅉ","ㅆ", "ㅃ" but both different consonant.

For example the word "앉다" which mean to sit. You can see the word "앉" is end with double consonant "ㄵ" but when pronounce, the "ㅈ" sound is move to combine with "다" and give the "ㄷ" a harder sound "ㄸ". Therefore, "앉다" is pronounce as "안따" = "an dda".

This is difficult for beginner learner but don't worry, as you study more for future lesson you will understand and remember all this irregular pronunciation.

Now there is a small test for you guys ~

Try to pronounce the four Korean alphabet in this picture ~

Highlight to check answer "So Nyeo Shi Dae"

Did you guys get it correctly?? Now you understand why we always call them "SNSD" right?? Haha~ That's how fun to learn Korean, you are open to the Korean world, and understand just by reading the Korean words^^ Check on here for more detail about pronunciation =)

The END~