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Lesson 9
Nasalization (비음화)
Stop consonants ㄱ, ㄷ, ㅂ become nasal ㅇ, ㄴ, ㅁ before nasal consonants ㄴ or ㅁ.
비음화 — Nasalization Rule
When ㄱ, ㄷ, or ㅂ is followed by a nasal consonant ㄴ or ㅁ, the stop consonant changes to the corresponding nasal: ㄱ→ㅇ, ㄷ→ㄴ, ㅂ→ㅁ.
국물 → [궁물]gungmul국[guk] + 물[mul] → ㄱ before ㅁ → ㅇ: [gung-mul]
입니다 → [임니다]imnida입[ip] + 니다[nida] → ㅂ before ㄴ → ㅁ: [im-ni-da]
비음화 — The Three Pairs
Remember these three pairs: ㄱ(g/k) → ㅇ(ng), ㄷ(d/t) → ㄴ(n), ㅂ(b/p) → ㅁ(m). All three become the nasal that shares the same place of articulation in the mouth.
박물관 → [방물관]bangmulgwan박[bak] + 물관 → ㄱ before ㅁ → ㅇ: [bang-mul-gwan]
한국말 → [한궁말]hangungmal한국[hanguk] + 말[mal] → ㄱ before ㅁ → ㅇ: [han-gung-mal]
국물gungmulbroth / soup base
Examples국물이 진하고 맛있어요.gungmuri jinhago masisseoyoThe broth is rich and delicious.
입니다imnidais / am / are (formal)
Examples저는 회사원입니다.jeoneun hoesawonimnidaI am a company employee.
박물관bangmulgwanmuseum
Examples주말에 박물관에 갔어요.jumare bangmulgwane gasseoyoI went to the museum on the weekend.
한국말hangungmalthe Korean language (spoken)
Examples한국말로 말해 보세요.hangungmallo malhae boseyoPlease try speaking in Korean.
없는eomneunnon-existent / who doesn't have
Examples시간이 없는 사람 있어요?sigani eomneun saram isseoyoIs there anyone who has no time?
앞날amnalfuture / days ahead
Examples앞날을 위해 열심히 공부해요.amnareul wihae yeolsimhi gongbuhaeyoI study hard for my future.