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  3. Korean Pronunciation
  • Front Vowel
  • Central Vowel
  • Back Vowel
  • y(ㅣ)-Glide Diphthong
  • w(ㅗ/ㅜ)-Glide Diphthong
  • (ㅢ) Diphthong
  • Bilabial Consonant
  • Alveolar Consonant
  • Palatal Consonant
  • Velar Consonant
  • Glottal Consonant

Pronunciation

ㅎ/h/

1. Basic identity of ㅎ

• Type: Glottal fricative

• Key features:

Very light, breathy sound

Often disappears or affects nearby consonants

Voiceless

Korean ㅎ is weaker than English “h”.

2. How to pronounce ㅎ correctly

Step-by-step

1. Throat

  • Slightly open the glottis

2. Air

  • Let air flow out gently

3. No voicing

4. No strong friction

Think of warm breath on glass, not a harsh ha.

3. Position-dependent pronunciation

Syllable initial

• Soft [h]

Examples:

하 /ha/

한국 /han-guk/

Do not pronounce it too strongly.

Between vowels

• Often very weak or disappears

Examples:

좋아요 → [조아요]

많아 → [마나]

Final consonant (받침)

• Not pronounced directly

• Affects the next consonant

Examples:

놓다 → [노타]

좋다 → [조타]

4. ㅎ-related sound changes (very important)

(1) Aspiration of following consonants

ㅎ + ㄱ → ㅋ

ㅎ + ㄷ → ㅌ

ㅎ + ㅂ → ㅍ

ㅎ + ㅈ → ㅊ

Examples:

놓고 → [노코]

많다 → [만타]

잡히다 → [자피다]

좋지 → [조치]

(2) Tensing / weakening

Sometimes ㅎ causes:

• aspiration

• deletion


Syllables composed by ㅎ and examples of words
No.
Vowel
Syllable
Word
Meaning
1 ㅣ 히 간단히 simply
2 ㅔ 헤 헤엄 swimming
3 ㅐ 해 해양 ocean
4 ㅚ 회 회사 company
5 ㅟ 휘 휘장 badge
1 ㅡ 흐 흐르다 to flow
2 ㅓ 허 허가 permission
3 ㅏ 하 하다 to do
1 ㅗ 호 호수 lake
2 ㅜ 후 기후 climate
1 ㅕ 혀 혀 tongue
2 ㅛ 효 효과 effect
3 ㅠ 휴 휴식 rest
4 ㅖ 혜 혜성 comet
1 ㅘ 화 화재 fire
2 ㅙ 홰 홰 torch
3 ㅞ 훼 훼방 obstruction
1 ㅢ 희 희망 hope
Course Image

Greetings

This collection of 100 essential expressions focuses on greetings, daily interactions, politeness, and emotional connection—covering situations such as meeting someone, parting ways, showing gratitude, offering support, and expressing care.

Rather than memorizing isolated words, these phrases help learners understand how Korean is naturally used in real-life conversations. Many expressions include important cultural elements such as respect, hierarchy, and warmth, which are central to Korean communication.

By studying these phrases, learners will:

  • Develop practical speaking skills for daily conversations
  • Understand common sentence patterns and polite forms
  • Gain confidence in social and professional interactions
  • Become familiar with Korean cultural nuances

    Course Image

    Greetings

    This collection of 100 essential expressions focuses on greetings, daily interactions, politeness, and emotional connection—covering situations such as meeting someone, parting ways, showing gratitude, offering support, and expressing care.

    Rather than memorizing isolated words, these phrases help learners understand how Korean is naturally used in real-life conversations. Many expressions include important cultural elements such as respect, hierarchy, and warmth, which are central to Korean communication.

    By studying these phrases, learners will:

    • Develop practical speaking skills for daily conversations
    • Understand common sentence patterns and polite forms
    • Gain confidence in social and professional interactions
    • Become familiar with Korean cultural nuances

      Course Image

      Greetings

      This collection of 100 essential expressions focuses on greetings, daily interactions, politeness, and emotional connection—covering situations such as meeting someone, parting ways, showing gratitude, offering support, and expressing care.

      Rather than memorizing isolated words, these phrases help learners understand how Korean is naturally used in real-life conversations. Many expressions include important cultural elements such as respect, hierarchy, and warmth, which are central to Korean communication.

      By studying these phrases, learners will:

      • Develop practical speaking skills for daily conversations
      • Understand common sentence patterns and polite forms
      • Gain confidence in social and professional interactions
      • Become familiar with Korean cultural nuances