Are you fascinated by K-pop, Korean dramas, or Korean food? If so, learning the Korean alphabet—Hangul—is the perfect first step to understanding the language and culture. In this beginner-friendly guide, we’ll walk you through the basics of reading and writing Hangul, and share some practical cultural insights along the way.
What is Hangul?
Hangul is the Korean writing system created in the 15th century by King Sejong the Great. It is widely regarded as one of the most logical and easy-to-learn alphabets in the world. Unlike Chinese or Japanese, Hangul is phonetic, meaning each symbol corresponds to a sound, not an entire word or idea.
How Hangul Works
Hangul consists of 14 basic consonants and 10 basic vowels. Instead of writing in a continuous line like English, Hangul letters are grouped into blocks that represent syllables. For example:
- 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo) = Hello
- Each syllable block: 안 / 녕 / 하 / 세 / 요
Basic Consonants
These are some of the most commonly used consonants:
- ㄱ = g/k
- ㄴ = n
- ㄷ = d/t
- ㄹ = r/l
- ㅁ = m
- ㅂ = b/p
- ㅅ = s
Basic Vowels
- ㅏ = a (as in "father")
- ㅓ = eo (a sound between "uh" and "aw")
- ㅗ = o
- ㅜ = u
- ㅡ = eu (pronounced like “oo” with closed lips)
- ㅣ = i (as in “ski”)
How to Form a Syllable
Hangul characters are grouped into blocks that represent a syllable. Each block typically includes:
Consonant + Vowel [+ Optional Final Consonant]
Examples:
- 가 = ㄱ (g) + ㅏ (a)
- 강 = ㄱ (g) + ㅏ (a) + ㅇ (ng)
Practice Words
Here are a few simple words to practice reading Hangul:
- 엄마 (Um-ma) = Mom
- 바나나 (ba-na-na) = Banana
- 사과 (sa-gwa) = Apple
Culture Tip: The Importance of “안녕하세요”
“안녕하세요” is the most common and polite way to say hello in Korean. It’s used in daily conversations, stores, and workplaces. Korean culture places a strong emphasis on respect and formality, which is reflected in its language and greetings.
Tips for Learning Hangul
- Start with memorizing the 14 consonants and 10 vowels.
- Write each character repeatedly in a notebook to build muscle memory.
- Use digital flashcards or mobile apps for review.
- Listen to native pronunciation through language learning platforms or YouTube.
What’s Next?
Now that you've learned the basics of Hangul, your next step is to study Korean numbers, greetings, and essential everyday expressions. In the next post, we’ll guide you through counting in Korean and introducing yourself.
Keep going! Learning Korean can be fun and rewarding.
Bonus: Korean Alphabet Chart
