Read the ten basic vowels
Recognize ten vowel shapes and read them with a silent ㅇ.
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A rough reading aid, not exact pronunciation. Hyphens separate syllables. Listen first, then try with hints hidden. “eu” is said with unrounded lips; “uh” only approximates ㅓ. Doubled consonants are tense, not extra syllables. Do not add a vowel after a final consonant.
Read, compare and repeat
Learn ten basic Korean vowels, compare similar shapes and read short examples. Start with six familiar vowels, then add four y sounds.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Focus on the Korean audio as you learn.
ㅏ
Sound hint아 · ah
a
아
The short stroke points right. Hear 아, then say it.
ㅓ
Sound hint어 · uh
eo
어
The short stroke points left. eo represents one vowel, not two syllables.
ㅗ
Sound hint오 · oh
o
오
The short stroke points up. Keep your lips rounded.
ㅜ
Sound hint우 · oo
u
우
The short stroke points down. Compare 오 and 우.
ㅡ
Sound hint으 · eu
eu
으
A horizontal line. Keep your lips unrounded.
ㅣ
Sound hint이 · ee
i
이
A vertical line. Compare 으 and 이.
ㅑ
Sound hint야 · yah
ya
야
Two short strokes on the right add a y beginning.
ㅕ
Sound hint여 · yuh
yeo
여
Two short strokes on the left. Compare 어 and 여.
ㅛ
Sound hint요 · yoh
yo
요
Two short strokes point up. Compare 오 and 요.
ㅠ
Sound hint유 · yoo
yu
유
Two short strokes point down. Compare 우 and 유.
Read it in small steps
아, 어
Compare right-facing ㅏ and left-facing ㅓ.
오, 우
Look above or below the horizontal line.
야, 여, 요, 유
Keep each block to one syllable.
아이, 우유
아이 means child; 우유 means milk.
Try it for yourself
Cover the pronunciation guides. Read 아, 어, 오, 우, 으, 이 in any order, then try 야, 여, 요, 유. On paper or in the practice pad, copy each shape and check which way the short strokes point.
Make yourself heard.
Listen once. Record yourself saying the phrase, then listen back.
아이, 우유
Up to 20 seconds. Your recording stays in this page and is never uploaded by HangulHada.
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Meet the fourteen basic consonants
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