Syllable Formation - How Consonants and Vowels Combine
Korean writing is unique because characters are arranged in square-like blocks called syllables. Each syllable block represents one spoken syllable and always contains:
At least one consonant (initial sound)
Exactly one vowel (middle sound)
Optional final consonant (final sound)
Start with any consonant. This will be the initial sound of your syllable.
Add a vowel. The vowel position determines the syllable's shape.
The result is a syllable block that represents one sound: "ga"
Let's learn the most common syllables using different consonants with the vowel ㅏ (a).
Now let's see how the same consonant ㄱ combines with different vowels.
A syllable block can take one more consonant under the floor: 가 + ㅇ = 강. This bottom consonant is called 받침 ("support"), and it's what turns "ga" into "gang", "sa" into "san". Click each word to hear it:
Whatever consonant is written as the 받침, it is pronounced as one of just seven sounds. Click the examples:
| Ends like | Written as | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| -k | ㄱ ㄲ ㅋ | 박밖 |
| -n | ㄴ | 산문 |
| -t | ㄷ ㅅ ㅆ ㅈ ㅊ ㅌ ㅎ | 옷꽃밭 |
| -l | ㄹ | 길말 |
| -m | ㅁ | 곰밤 |
| -p | ㅂ ㅍ | 밥앞 |
| -ng | ㅇ | 강방 |
Note: ㅇ is silent at the start of a syllable (아 = "a") but sounds like "ng" as a 받침 (앙 = "ang").
Korean syllables follow specific visual patterns depending on the vowel type:
ㅏ ㅑ ㅓ ㅕ ㅣ
Consonant + Vowel side by side
ㅗ ㅛ ㅜ ㅠ ㅡ
Consonant above Vowel
Final consonant always goes at the bottom
Great job! Now you understand how syllables are formed. Ready to learn how syllables combine to make words?