At first, it might seem that Korean, like Chinese similar to it, consists of hieroglyphs. But in fact, this is not so: at present, Koreans use their own unique alphabet. The Korean alphabet was developed in the middle of the XV century, namely in 1443. It was created by a group of Korean scientists led by the fourth van Joseon (King) Sejong the Great. Currently, the Korean script is called Hangul (νκΈ), it is the main one in the DPRK and South Korea.
In total, the Korean language has 24 letters, of which 14 are consonants and 10 vowels. In addition, there are diphthongs in Hangeul (there are 11 of them) and 5 dual consonants, that is, connected letters. It turns out that ultimately the Korean alphabet consists of a total of 40 letters.
Vowels
First, let's analyze the vowels. Korean letters are written from bottom to top and from left to right. Do not miss this fact: the correct spelling of letters in Korean is really important.
| Spelling letters | Pronunciation | How to pronounce correctly |
| γ
| a | Pronounced a little wider than our Russian sound "a". |
| γ
| ya | This letter sounds like a very sharp "ya". |
| γ
| about | This letter is a cross between "a" and "o". Say it as the more "rounded" letter o in Russian. |
| γ
| yo | Say the letter γ
as you studied its pronunciation, just add the harsh βyβ in front of it. |
| γ
| about | This letter is a cross between "y" and "o". To pronounce it, fold your lips as if you are going to say "y", but actually say "o". |
| γ
| yo | Make your lips look like a bow and say βyβ in front of the letter γ
, the pronunciation of which we have analyzed above. |
| γ
| at | It sounds like a very deep and solid y. |
| γ
| yu | Deep yu sound. |
| γ
‘ | s | Sounds like a deeper s. |
| γ
£ | and | Soft "and". |
Diphthongs
Diphthongs are double vowels. In Korean, we will repeat them, 11. Below we will analyze all diphthongs and their correct pronunciation.
| Spelling letters | Pronunciation | How to pronounce correctly |
| γ
| uh | Pronounced as "e." |
| γ
| e | Something between "e" and "ye". |
| γ
| uh | Pronounced as "e." |
| γ
| e | Something between "e" and "ye". |
| γ
| wa (wa) | In Korean, there is no sound similar to our Russian βinβ sound. This diphthong is pronounced as if you first say βy,β and then abruptly add βa.β Something similar to the enthusiastic surprise of "wow!" |
| γ
| ve (ue) | This diphthong is pronounced as if you first say βy,β and then abruptly add βe.β |
| γ
| vue (yue) | Sounds like a yue. |
| γ
| in (wo) | Deep yo. This diphthong is pronounced as if you first say βy,β and then add βoβ abruptly. |
| γ
| vee (uye) | Sounds like a vee. |
| γ
| vi (yi) | Sounds like a soft lingering "wi" or "wi" |
| γ
’ | awesome | Sounds like "oops" |
Consonants
Vowels in the Korean language were not very complicated, but consonants for a start will be difficult to understand, since there is a rather sophisticated system.
Consonants in the alphabet of the Korean language are divided into aspirational, non-aspirational, and medium-respiratory. In order to understand what is aspiration, use an ordinary light napkin or your own palm. Saying a letter with aspiration, you will feel warm air in the palm of your hand or you will see the sway of the napkin. Inhalation is something like the sound "x" in front of the letter, but not so clear and obvious.
The table below shows the Korean alphabet with Russian letter names, consonants.
| Spelling letters | Her name is in Korean alphabet | How to pronounce |
| γ± | kiek | Something between βkβ and βgβ is pronounced with a slight aspiration. |
| γ΄ | nyn | Pronounced as "n", without aspiration, slightly in the nose. |
| γ· | tigyt | Something between βdβ and βtβ, with a slight aspiration. |
| γΉ | riel | Depending on the position in the word, it can be pronounced as the sound "p" (not as sharp as in Russian) or "eh". |
| γ
| miym | It sounds almost like the sound "m" in Russian, only a little deeper and as if rounded. |
| γ
| pip (bip) | Something between βnβ and βb,β with a slight aspiration. |
| γ
| schiot | It is pronounced as βcβ, if after γ
there is a letter γ
£, it is read as βcabbage soupβ, while sch is something between βschβ and βcβ. |
| γ
| ying | Looks like an -ing ending in English. If it stands at the beginning of a syllable with a vowel, it cannot be read by itself; only the vowel is pronounced. At the end of the syllable is pronounced nasal sound "ng". |
| γ
| jiit | j |
| γ
| chyit | "chh" or "chch" |
| γ
| khyik | It is pronounced with great aspiration as "kh". |
| γ
| thiit | Pronounced with a big breath, like "tx". |
| γ
| phiip | It is pronounced with a great aspiration like "ph." |
| γ
| hiit | Pronounced as an "x". |
| γ² | ssang kiek | "k" without any aspiration, pronounced very sharply. |
| γΈ | ssang tigyt | "t" without any aspiration, pronounced very sharply. |
| γ
| ssang biip | Very sharp p. |
| γ
| ssang schiot | Very sharp s. |
| γ
| ssang jiit | Pronounced as "c" |
Pronunciation is an important component in learning every foreign language.