Lesson 4

Basic Consonants (Part 2)

Learn the remaining consonants: ㅇ, ㅈ, ㅊ, ㅋ, ㅌ, ㅍ, ㅎ

Plain vs. Aspirated Consonants

Korean has pairs of plain and aspirated consonants. Aspirated consonants have a strong burst of air: ㄱ(g) → ㅋ(k), ㄷ(d) → ㅌ(t), ㅂ(b) → ㅍ(p), ㅈ(j) → ㅊ(ch). Try holding your hand in front of your mouth — aspirated consonants push more air!

가 (ga) vs 카 (ka)ga vs kaㄱ is soft, ㅋ has strong air burst

달 (dal) vs 탈 (tal)dal vs taldal = moon, tal = mask — different consonant changes meaning!

ㅇ- / ngSilent at start of syllable, 'ng' at end (as in 'song')

Examples영화yeonghwamovie

ㅈj'j' as in 'joy'

Examples지도jidomap

ㅊch'ch' as in 'church' — aspirated version of ㅈ

Examples친구chingufriend

ㅋk'k' as in 'key' — aspirated version of ㄱ

Examples커피keopicoffee

ㅌt't' as in 'top' — aspirated version of ㄷ

Examples토끼tokkirabbit

ㅍp'p' as in 'pie' — aspirated version of ㅂ

Examples포도podogrape

ㅎh'h' as in 'hello'

Examples하늘haneulsky