Langasia Logo
Get started
Langasia

Learning Guide of

Hangeul

hangeul

Hangeul also spelled Hangul is the alphabetic system used to write the Korean language. This writing system consists of 24 letters, including 14 consonants and 10 vowels. Consonant characters are formed with curved or angular lines. Vowels are composed of straight vertical or horizontal lines as well as short lines on either side of the main line.

한글

Contents

Introduction

Hangeul 한글 is the official alphabet of South Korea. It was established in 1443 by King Sejong the Great with the aim of promoting literacy and making it easier to write the Korean language.

Before the introduction of Hangeul, Koreans used Chinese characters to write their language. However, Chinese characters were difficult to learn and use for people who had not been trained in Chinese, which limited access to education and communication for the majority of the population.

So King Sejong commissioned a group of scholars to create an easier-to-learn and easier-to-use alphabet for writing Korean. They thus created hangeul, which consists of 14 consonants and 10 vowels. The alphabet is unique in that it is based on the shape of the mouth when speaking sounds, rather than the shape of Chinese characters.

King Sejong

How it works?

Hangeul consists of 14 consonants and 10 vowels, which means there are 24 or letters in total. Since all words in Korean are made up of syllables, let's take a look at the basic rules:

  1. A syllable always begins with a consonant
    2. hangeul
  2. A syllable has at least one consonant and one vowel
    3. hangeul
  3. Each syllable is in the form of a square
    4. hangeul

The Hangul alphabet

Basic Consonants
기본 자음

There are 14 simple consonants which are grouped into two categories: aspirated consonants and unaspirated consonants. Aspirated consonants are produced with a small burst of air, while unaspirated consonants are produced without this air burst.

ㄱ g / k
ㄴ n
ㄷ d / t
ㄹ r / l
ㅁ m
ㅂ b / p
ㅅ s
ㅇ ng
ㅈ j
ㅊ ch
ㅋ k
ㅌ t
ㅍ p
ㅎ h

Double Consonants
쌍자음

In Korean, there are also compound consonants, double consonants or also called 'combined consonants'. They are formed by combining two single consonants to form a new consonant which has a stronger pronunciation.

ㄲ kk
ㄸ tt
ㅃ pp
ㅆ ss
ㅉ jj

Vowels
모음

Korean vowels are the basic sounds used in the Korean language to form syllables. There are ten simple vowels and eleven compound vowels in Korean. Simple vowels are pure sounds that are pronounced without changing the shape of the mouth or the position of the tongue. Compound vowels, on the other hand, are formed by combining two simple vowels to form a new sound.

ㅏ a
ㅑ ya
ㅓ eo
ㅕ yeo
ㅗ o
ㅛ yo
ㅜ u
ㅠ yu
ㅡ eu
ㅣ i

Vowels Combinations
복합 모음

By combining two basic vowels, we can form a set of eleven compound vowels.

ㅐ ae
ㅒ yae
ㅔ e
ㅖ ye
ㅘ wa
ㅙ wae
ㅚ oe
ㅝ wo
ㅞ we
ㅟ wi
ㅢ eui

Need a Course?
Learn Hangeul

Progressive Lesson

We've broken down the Hangeul alphabet into several lessons so you can learn how to read and write each letter.

Practical Exercise

Practice each letter learned with flashcards, memory games as well as word reading exercises (+80 words).

Even More

And also, stroke order, pronunciation, writing sheets (for members). As well as summary tables, wallpapers and many more.

hangeul

Learn to read and write hangeul now

* With a premium subscription you receive a writing book as well as writing sheets for each lesson and access to all other courses.

King Sejong