Learn Korean vocabulary by typing words and phrases from flashcards. The flashcard summary allows you to check your progress and select flashcards to learn.
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Phonetic Symbols in Korean Pronunciation
The International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) provides a standardized set of symbols to represent the sounds of spoken language. Below are the IPA symbols for Korean pronunciation, with examples and descriptions, including the pronunciation of these sounds in English.
Korean Vowels
- /a/ - as in 아기 (agi), pronounced /a.ɡi/ (similar to "a" in father /ˈfɑːðər/)
- /ɛ/ - as in 애기 (aegi), pronounced /ɛ.ɡi/ (like "e" in bed /bɛd/)
- /i/ - as in 이 (i), pronounced /i/ (like "ee" in see /siː/)
- /o/ - as in 오이 (oi), pronounced /o.i/ (like "o" in not /nɒt/)
- /u/ - as in 우유 (uyu), pronounced /u.ju/ (like "oo" in boot /buːt/)
- /ɯ/ - as in 음악 (eumak), pronounced /ɯ.mak/ (a close back unrounded vowel, not found in English)
- /e/ - as in 에 (e), pronounced /e/ (like "e" in set /sɛt/)
- /ø/ - as in 외국 (oeguk), pronounced /ø.ɡuk/ (similar to "eu" in French feu /fø/)
- /y/ - as in 유리 (yuri), pronounced /jy.ri/ (like "ü" in German Müll /myl/)
Korean Diphthongs
- /wa/ - as in 와인 (wain), pronounced /wa.in/ (like "wa" in water /ˈwɔː.tər/)
- /wi/ - as in 위치 (wichi), pronounced /wi.t͡ɕʰi/ (like "we" in week /wiːk/)
- /we/ - as in 웨이터 (weiteo), pronounced /we.i.tʰo/ (like "we" in wet /wɛt/)
- /jo/ - as in 요리 (yori), pronounced /jo.ri/ (like "yo" in yogurt /ˈjoʊ.ɡərt/)
Korean Consonants
- /p/ - as in 바다 (bada), pronounced /pa.da/ (like "p" in pen /pɛn/)
- /b/ - as in 비 (bi), pronounced /bi/ (like "b" in bat /bæt/)
- /t/ - as in 다리 (dari), pronounced /ta.ri/ (like "t" in top /tɒp/)
- /d/ - as in 도 (do), pronounced /do/ (like "d" in dog /dɒɡ/)
- /k/ - as in 가 (ga), pronounced /ka/ (like "k" in cat /kæt/)
- /ɡ/ - as in 고기 (gogi), pronounced /ɡo.ɡi/ (like "g" in go /ɡoʊ/)
- /s/ - as in 사과 (sagwa), pronounced /sa.ɡwa/ (like "s" in see /siː/)
- /ʃ/ - as in 샤워 (syawo), pronounced /ʃja.wo/ (like "sh" in shoe /ʃuː/)
- /t͡ɕ/ - as in 저 (jeo), pronounced /t͡ɕʌ/ (like "ch" in cheese /tʃiːz/)
- /t͡ɕʰ/ - as in 처음 (cheoeum), pronounced /t͡ɕʰʌ.ɯm/ (an aspirated version of "ch")
- /h/ - as in 하늘 (haneul), pronounced /ha.nɯl/ (like "h" in hat /hæt/)
- /m/ - as in 마음 (ma-eum), pronounced /ma.ɯm/ (like "m" in man /mæn/)
- /n/ - as in 나무 (namu), pronounced /na.mu/ (like "n" in net /nɛt/)
- /ŋ/ - as in 사랑 (sarang), pronounced /sa.raŋ/ (like "ng" in song /sɒŋ/)
- /ɾ/ - as in 바람 (baram), pronounced /pa.ɾam/ (similar to a tapped "r" or "d" sound, somewhat like the "tt" in butter in American English)
Unique Features of Korean Pronunciation
While Korean pronunciation shares some similarities with other languages, it has unique features that are important for learners to understand.
- Consonant Assimilation: Certain consonants change their pronunciation depending on the following sound. For example, 한국 (hanguk) is pronounced /han.ɡuk/.
- Tense Consonants: Korean has a series of tense (or glottalized) consonants such as /p’/, /t’/, and /k’/. These are produced with a tighter glottal closure and are often indicated by double letters in romanization (e.g., ㅃ, ㅉ, ㄲ).
- Aspirated Consonants: Aspirated versions of stops and affricates, such as /pʰ/, /tʰ/, and /kʰ/, are marked with an extra burst of air. These are distinct from their non-aspirated counterparts.
- Vowel Harmony: Traditional Korean phonology exhibits vowel harmony, where certain vowels pair harmoniously within a word. This is less pronounced in modern Korean but still influences speech patterns.
- Syllable Structure: Korean syllables follow a strict structure of (C)V(C), meaning they can start and end with a consonant and must have a vowel in the middle. For example, 학생 (haksaeng), pronounced /hak.sɛŋ/.
- Lenition: In casual speech, some consonants may become weaker or change, such as /k/ becoming /ɡ/, and /t/ becoming /d/.
- Pitch Accent: Korean does not have a pitch accent system like Japanese but uses stress to differentiate meaning in some cases.
- Elision: Similar to Japanese, certain sounds may be dropped in fast or casual speech. For instance, the final /h/ in 좋아 (joa) may be elided, pronounced /t͡ɕo.a/.