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Lesson 8
Tensification (경음화)
After stop consonants ㄱ, ㄷ, ㅂ, plain consonants ㄱ/ㄷ/ㅂ/ㅅ/ㅈ become tense (된소리).
경음화 — Tensification Rule
When a syllable ends in ㄱ, ㄷ, or ㅂ (unreleased stop), the following consonant ㄱ/ㄷ/ㅂ/ㅅ/ㅈ becomes its tense counterpart: ㄲ/ㄸ/ㅃ/ㅆ/ㅉ. This makes the sound feel more 'tight' or 'sharp'.
학교 → [학꾜]hakkyo학[hak] + 교[gyo] → ㄱ after ㄱ tensifies: [hak-kkyo]
식당 → [식땅]siktang식[sik] + 당[dang] → ㄷ after ㄱ tensifies: [sik-ttang]
경음화 — Common Patterns to Remember
경음화 is very common in compound nouns, place names, and everyday words. Once you recognize the pattern, you'll hear it everywhere: 입구[입꾸], 국밥[국빱], 합격[합껵].
입구 → [입꾸]ipkku입[ip] + 구[gu] → ㄱ after ㅂ tensifies: [ip-kku]
국밥 → [국빱]kukppap국[guk] + 밥[bap] → ㅂ after ㄱ tensifies: [guk-ppap]
학교hakkyoschool
Examples학교에 버스 타고 가요.hakkyoe beoseu tago gayoI take the bus to school.
식당siktangrestaurant / cafeteria
Examples이 식당 음식이 정말 맛있어요.i siktang eumsigi jeongmal masisseoyoThe food at this restaurant is really delicious.
입구ipkkuentrance
Examples입구가 어느 쪽이에요?ipkkuga eoneu jjogieyoWhich side is the entrance?
국밥kukppaprice soup
Examples추울 때 국밥이 먹고 싶어요.chuul ttae kukppabi meokgo sipeoyoI want to eat rice soup when it's cold.
합격hapkkyeokpassing (exam)
Examples시험에 합격해서 기뻐요.siheome hapkkyeokhaeseo gippeoyoI'm happy I passed the exam.
박수paksuapplause / clapping
Examples공연이 끝나고 박수를 쳤어요.gongyeoni kkeunnago paksureul chyeosseoyoWe clapped after the performance ended.