Read Korean Alphabet Hangul in 10mins | #2 | 14 Base Consonants
How to Read Hangul: The 14 Basic Consonants
Learning the Korean alphabet, Hangul, is easier than you think! In this lesson, we’ll focus on the 14 basic consonants, which are essential for reading and pronouncing Korean words.
1. The 14 Base Consonants
The Korean alphabet consists of both consonants and vowels. Here are the 14 base consonants you need to know:
ㄱ, ㄴ, ㄷ, ㄹ, ㅁ, ㅂ, ㅅ, ㅇ, ㅈ, ㅊ, ㅋ, ㅌ, ㅍ, ㅎ
Each consonant has its own pronunciation, similar to English sounds.
2. Pronunciation Guide
- ㄱ (g/k), ㄴ (n), ㄷ (d/t), ㄹ (r/l), ㅁ (m), ㅂ (b/p), ㅅ (s), ㅇ (silent/ng)
- ㅈ (j), ㅊ (ch), ㅋ (k), ㅌ (t), ㅍ (p), ㅎ (h)
These consonants combine with vowels to create syllables in Korean words.
3. Tips for Easy Memorization
- Group similar sounds: ㄱ & ㅋ (g/k), ㄷ & ㅌ (d/t), ㅂ & ㅍ (b/p)
- Use shape associations: ㄴ looks like "L" → Think of N for "L" sound.
- Practice reading & writing: The more you practice, the faster you’ll remember them!
4. How to Form Words
Korean syllables are made by combining consonants and vowels.
For example:
- 가 (ga) = ㄱ + ㅏ
- 나 (na) = ㄴ + ㅏ
- 마 (ma) = ㅁ + ㅏ
5. Next Steps
Mastering these consonants is the first step to reading Korean! Keep practicing, and stay tuned for more lessons on pronunciation, double consonants, and advanced reading tips.
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