Prior to 1443, the Korean language relied on the Chinese writing system for both reading and writing. Unfortunately, during this period, literacy was limited to the nobility, which left the majority of the population unable to read or write.
The solution to this issue was the invention and introduction to Korean characters or alphabet. Once learners knew how to identify Korean characters, they were able to learn Korean Hangul.
Hangul was created with the aim of granting universal access to literacy.
However, it's worth noting that hangul faced initial unpopularity and was primarily used by women and children. It wasn't until 1948, following Japan's defeat in World War II, that the Korean alphabet was officially recognised.
At first glance, the abundance of square characters in Hangul may appear daunting to learn. Surprisingly, though, mastering the Korean alphabet can be achieved in just a few hours.
How is this possible?
Without further ado, let's explore ten tips in today's article to help learn Korean characters quickly, and no doubt, after that, you will want to learn the Korean writing system!
1. Use Logic to Learn Korean Hangul
As you learn the Korean writing system you will notice that, much like the Latin alphabet, it uses consonants and vowels. To know how to identify Korean characters, a good idea is to start with these:
- The 10 standard vowels are: ㅏㅑㅓㅕㅗㅛㅜㅠㅡㅣ
- The 11 compound vowels are: ㅐ ㅒ ㅔ ㅖ ㅘ ㅝ ㅢ ㅙ ㅟ ㅚ ㅞ
- The 14 consonants are: ㄱㄴㄷㄹㅁㅂㅅㅇㅈㅊㅋㅌㅍㅎ
- The 5 double consonants are: ㄲ ㄸ ㅃ ㅆ ㅉ
- The 11 compound consonants are: ㄳ ㄵ ㄶ ㄺ ㄻ ㄼ ㄽ ㄾ ㄿ ㅀ ㅄ
To create words that are understood, the letters, written inside squares, combine.
Like French or other Romance languages, to form syllables you will need one consonant and one vowel.
Here is a good tip within a tip, make sure that you have identified two vowels, identified visually as such:
- Horizontal vowels: ㅗ ㅛ ㅜ ㅠ ㅡ
- Vertical vowels: ㅏ ㅑ ㅓ ㅕ ㅣ
To write a whole word, start with the initial consonant and then add the vowel to the right if it is a vertical vowel, and below if it is a horizontal vowel. If there are other consonants, simply add them below. This means that the words are written on one, two or three lines.
2: Pronunciation of Vowels When You Learn Korean Hangul
In contrast to languages like Chinese, Korean is relatively easier to pronounce.
To begin, we suggest familiarising yourself with the pronunciation of Korean vowels. Below is a phonetic guide to the sounds of basic Korean vowels:
- ㅏ: [a] "a" like in the word "apple",
- ㅓ: [ɔ] this is an open sounding O, often marked EO in transcription, pronounced like the short "o" sound in the word "crop"
- ㅣ: [i] pronounced like the long "e" sound in words like "greet" and "meet",
- ㅗ: [ô] This is a closed O, pronounced like the long "o" sound in the word "stone",
- ㅜ: [u] sounds like "oo" as in boots,
- ㅡ: [ø] transcribed in EU, and sounds like the “u” in the words "umbrella".
While there are 10 vowels in total, note that the first six are the most important.
3: Learn Compound Vowels
Bear in mind that compound vowels are formed from basic vowels which means you won’t have to learn much more than that. Here are good examples of compound vowels:
- ㅐ composed of the letters ㅏ and ㅣ is pronounced [ɛ] like the like the "e"in "egg".
- ㅔcomposed of the letters ㅓ and ㅣis also pronounced like the like the "e" in "egg".
- ㅒ: when a dash is added, the sound [i] is added so the letter is pronounced yè [iɛ] like the "ye" in "yes",
- ㅖ: is also pronounced like the "ye" in "yes",
- ㅘ composed of the letters ㅗ and ㅏis simply pronounced WA [wa] like in "what".
In addition, the combination of ㅜ and ㅣ creates ㅟ pronounced WI [wi] like the Nintendo Wii! These are a few examples to help you keep track of as a beginner. Be sure to consult with your Korean tutor to find out how each compound vowel should be pronounced correctly.
4: Learn Korean Hangul Vowels Out Loud
Having briefly covered the three preceding tips regarding the Korean alphabet's vowels, the next step is to learn Korean Hangul pronunciation. One way to do this is to tune into YouTube videos that feature native Korean speakers who specialise in teaching English speakers the nuances of vowel pronunciation.
5: Learn the Basic Consonants
Given the number of them, isn't it overwhelming to learn all those consonants quickly?
Indeed, it can be!
However, the most important steps are to identify them and then break them down. For instance, let’s examine the following list of Korean consonants:
- ㅇ: at the start of a word is silent but at the end of a word it’s pronounced 'ng' as in gong,
- ㄱ: sounds like the ‘g’ in gun
- ㄴ: is the equivalent of the ‘n’ in nose
- ㄷ: this letter creates a sound when the tongue touches the front of the palate,
- ㄹ: sounds similar to the ‘l’ in ladder
- ㅁ: this sounds like a word that begins with an M,
- ㅂ: sounds like the 'b' in beer
- ㅅ: pronounced shi [ʃi],
- ㅎ: is the English aspirated h, much like hat,
- ㅈ: is pronounced dj, much like Djadja,
- ㅋ: this consonant when pronounced sounds like an expired [k],
- ㅊ: is pronounced tch [tʃ] much like cha-cha-cha!
- ㅍ: when pronounced sounds like an expired [p].
6: Memorise Double Consonants
Double consonants are created by combining the fundamental consonants we discussed briefly in the preceding section. Here are a few examples:
- ㅃ when pronounced sounds like [p] as in papa,
- ㅉ when pronounced sounds like tch [tʃ] as in Italian ciao,
- ㄸ when pronounced sounds like an English word with the letter (t),
- ㅆ when pronounced in Korean sounds like "sh",
- ㄲ when pronounced sounds like a real [k] as in karate.
Once you master the pronunciation of these double consonants you will be well on your way to learn the Korean writing system.
7: Assemble Sounds and Letters that are Similar
If you are looking for an introduction to Korean characters, another good tip is to collect the sounds and letters that sound alike and to practise pronouncing them:
- ㄱㅋㄲ
- ㄷㅌㄸ
- ㅂㅍㅃ
- ㅈㅊㅉ
- ㅅㅆ
- ㅐ ㅔ
- ㅒㅖ
- ㅞㅙㅚ
Are you struggling to know how to identify Korean characters?
If so, ask your Korean tutor to go over an introduction to Korean characters again.
8: How to Identify Korean Characters: Memorisation
Do you recall the time you learned the English alphabet as a child?
Interestingly, memorising the Korean alphabet follows a similar approach: writing down of the various letters. Keeping a dedicated notebook specifically for jotting down Korean vowels and consonants is an excellent introduction to Korean characters.
In this notebook, alongside each Korean hangul character, write its corresponding English pronunciation and include a sentence that will help you to remember it.
9: Learn to Read by Knowing How to Identify Korean Characters
Before delving into reading and writing in Korean, your first step is to grasp the alphabet. After you believe that you have gained mastery over the Korean alphabet, it will be time to put your skills to the test by attempting to read basic Korean words.
We suggest that you start with a modest selection of words, like the ones listed below:
- 좋은 아침이에요 (good morning)
- 감사합니다 (thank you)
- 먹다 (eat)
- 모자 (hat)
- 개 (dog)
- 차 (car)
10: Learn Korean Characters Step by Step
Being able to recognise and accurately pronounce Korean words from the comfort of your home in South Africa will effectively prepare you for your upcoming journey to Seoul, the capital of South Korea. Don’t forget that in Seoul, you will encounter illuminated signs written in Korean throughout the city!
Last but certainly not least, it's crucial to emphasise the importance of taking a gradual approach. An introduction to Korean characters should be more like running a marathon than sprinting a 100-metre dash.
To learn Korean characters, we recommend that you apply tips one through nine which will put you on the path to learn the Korean writing system.
In conclusion, even if you manage to grasp how to identify Korean characters in a single day, it's a wise decision to revisit and reinforce your knowledge a few times throughout the week to make sure that you avoid mistakes that could hinder your overall progress.
So, what are you waiting for?
Begin your journey to mastering the Korean Hangul today!
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