• Step 1: Introduction
• Step 2: Letters 1
• Step 3: Letters 2

• Step 4: Letters 3
• Step 5: Finals
• Step 6: Letters 4

• Additional practice
• Intermediate
• Advanced

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ㅐ (vowel)

ㅅ (consonant)

For North Americans and Brits, this the "e" in dress. For Australians and New Zealanders, this is the "a" in trap. For full information about this letter, see ㅐ.

This is a /s/ sound. When combined with the vowels ㅣ, ㅕ, ㅑ, ㅠ, ㅛ it is pronounced like an "sh" sound, or the "x" sound in Chinese pinyin (IPA /ɕ/). Since we have not learned the last four vowels mentioned, just keep in mind that when ㅅ is combined with ㅣ, it sounds similar to "she" for now. You will be reminded later when you learn the other vowels. For full information about this letter, see ㅅ.

ㅔ (vowel)

ㅂ (consonant)

This sound used to sound different from ㅐ. The sound is not reliably distinguished anymore, but the vowel length can be shorter than ㅐ. For North Americans and Brits, this is the "e" in hey or the "a" in face, but "y" sound at the end. For Australians and New Zealanders, this is the "e" in dress. For full information about this letter, see ㅔ.

This is pronounced like a mix between a B and a P at the beginning of a word, however, when found between vowels the sound is voiced and makes a /b/ sound. For full information about this letter, see ㅂ.

ㅓ (vowel)

ㅈ (consonant)

There is no exact sound from English to which ㅓ may be compared. Its sound is somewhere between an "uh" sound and the 오 sound you previously learned. Listen to the audio file carefully! For full information about this letter, see ㅓ.

This is pronounced like a mix between a /j/ and a /ch/ sound at the beginning of a word, however, when found between vowels the sound is voiced and makes a sound similar to a /j/ sound, though it is not exactly a /j/ sound. There is a slight difference. For full information about this letter, see ㅈ.

ㅡ (vowel)

ㄹ (consonant)

There is no exact sound to which ㅡ may be compared in English, so listen to the audio file carefully. For full information about this letter, see ㅡ.

This sound is capable of making both an R and an L sound. As the first letter it is sometimes pronounced as a mix between an R and an L sound with the exception of Western loan words where it sounds more like an R sound. Do note that this is not exactly the /r/ sound from English, but instead is a flap R sound like the D sound in the word 'rider' or double T sound in the word 'better'. If you are familiar with the sounds of Spanish it is very similar to the R sound in the word 'caro.' For full information about this letter, see ㄹ.