Hello, this is Ayakim.
Today’s topic is Basic Korean Consonants (자음).
There are 19 consonants in Hangul:
- Basic consonants: 10
- Aspirated consonants (pronounced with a strong burst of air): 4
- Tense consonants (pronounced with tightened vocal cords): 5
The aspirated and tense consonants are derived from the basic ones.
That’s why it’s important to firmly learn the 10 basic consonants as your foundation.
I’ve also prepared a worksheet this time, so try practicing by writing them out and saying them aloud.
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1.Introduction: What Are Consonants in Korean?
In Korean, consonants (자음) are sounds made by blocking or releasing air with the mouth or tongue.
They combine with vowels to form syllables.
- Example: ㄱ + ㅏ = 가 (ka / ga)
- Example: ㅂ + ㅗ = 보 (po / bo)
Here, ㄱ (k/g) and ㅂ (p/b) are consonants.
By themselves, consonants or vowels cannot make a “voice.”
Only when consonants and vowels are combined do they create a complete “sound.”
2.Meet the 10 Basic Consonants
There are 10 basic consonants in Korean:
ㄱ ㄴ ㄷ ㄹ ㅁ ㅂ ㅅ ㅇ ㅈ ㅎ
Let’s go through them one by one to check their shapes and pronunciations.
🟡 10 Basic Consonants – Shape & Pronunciation Tips
ㄱ (g/k)
Shape: Like a corner, an angled line.
Pronunciation: Between g in “go” and k in “kite.”
ㄴ (n)
Shape: An L-shape.
Pronunciation: Like n in “nose.”
ㄷ (d/t)
Shape: A flat line on top with a vertical line.
Pronunciation: Between d in “dog” and t in “top.”
ㄹ (r/l)
Shape: Looks like a step or ladder.
Pronunciation: Between Japanese “ら行” and English r/l.
ㅁ (m)
Shape: A square box.
Pronunciation: Like m in “mom.”
ㅂ (b/p)
Shape: A square with a line on top.
Pronunciation: Between b in “boy” and p in “pen.”
ㅅ (s)
Shape: A pointed triangle or V.
Pronunciation: Like s in “sun.” (before ㅣ sounds like “sh”)
ㅇ (ng / silent)
Shape: A circle.
Pronunciation: Silent when it comes first (아 = a), ng at the end (방 = bang).
ㅈ (j)
Shape: Like ㅅ (s) with a short horizontal line.
Pronunciation: Like j in “jam.”
ㅎ (h)
Shape: A circle with a horizontal line above.
Pronunciation: Like h in “hat.”
3.Voiced vs. Unvoiced Sounds in Korean Consonants
Some Korean consonants can sound voiced (like g, d, b, j) or unvoiced (like k, t, p, ch) depending on their position in a word.
That’s why you often see them written with two options, such as ㄱ (g/k).
- ㄱ (g/k): At the beginning of a word it sounds closer to [k], but between vowels it’s more like [g].
- ㄷ (d/t): [t] at the start of a word, but [d] between vowels.
- ㅂ (b/p): [p] at the start, but [b] between vowels.
- ㅈ (j/ch): Stronger [ch] at the beginning, softer [j] between vowels.
A few consonants have special roles:
- ㅇ (silent/ng): Silent at the beginning of a syllable (아 = a), but [ng] at the end (방 = bang).
- ㄹ (r/l): Can sound like [r] or [l] depending on position. For beginners, it’s fine to think of it as an “R/L” sound similar to the Japanese ra line.
- ㅅ (s): Usually [s], but before ㅣ (i) it can sound closer to [sh].
4.Practice: Write and Say the Consonants
The most effective way to learn consonants and their pronunciation is by writing them down while saying them aloud.
- ㄱ + ㅏ = 가 (ga)
- ㄴ + ㅏ = 나 (na)
In this way, by combining consonants with vowels, you can create countless syllables.
I’ve prepared a worksheet with the 10 consonants we’re learning today.
Each one is paired with the basic vowel ㅏ (a).
Practice writing and pronouncing them as you study. ✏️
📘 Download today’s worksheet as a PDF here.
5.Mini Quiz: Can You Recognize These Consonants?
Ready to test what you’ve learned?
Try this short quiz! Share your score in the comments! 🎉
🔹 Part 1: Multiple Choice
Q1. How is this consonant pronounced? → ㄱ
a. g/k b. n c. m d. s
✅ Correct Answer: a. g/k
Q2. How is this consonant pronounced? → ㄴ
a. ng b. n c. r/l d. b/p
✅ Correct Answer: b. n
Q3. Which one represents the “s” sound?
a. ㅅ b. ㅁ c. ㄹ d. ㅇ
✅ Correct Answer: a. ㅅ
Q4. What is the romanized spelling of the consonant “ㅈ”?
a. j b. ch c. h d. k
✅ Correct Answer: a. j
Q5. Which consonant is silent at the beginning of a syllable but pronounced “ng” at the end?
a. ㅎ b. ㅇ c. ㄷ d. ㄹ
✅ Correct Answer: b. ㅇ
🔹 Part 2: Matching
Match each consonant in Column A with its romanized sound in Column B.
Column A
A. ㄹ B. ㅁ C. ㅂ D. ㅎ
Column B
1.b/p 2.h 3.r/l 4.m
✅ Answer:
A → 3 / B → 4 / C → 1 / D → 2
🔹 Part 3: Sound and Shape – Listen and Choose
Read the sound description and choose the correct consonant.
Q1.
The sound similar to English “m,” made with closed lips.
a. ㄱ b. ㄴ c. ㅁ d. ㅅ
✅ Correct Answer: c. ㅁ
Q2.
A sound like “h,” with air coming out softly from the throat.
a. ㅎ b. ㅈ c. ㄹ d. ㅂ
✅ Correct Answer: a. ㅎ
Q3.
The sound you make when your tongue touches the roof of your mouth, like “d/t.”
a. ㄷ b. ㄱ c. ㄹ d. ㅇ
✅ Correct Answer: a. ㄷ
Q4.
A flap sound between “r” and “l.”
a. ㄴ b. ㅁ c. ㄹ d. ㅂ
✅ Correct Answer: c. ㄹ
Q5.
The sound like “j” in “jelly.”
a. ㅈ b. ㅊ c. ㄱ d. ㅅ
✅ Correct Answer: a. ㅈ
6.Let’s Try Some Real Korean Words with Consonants
Once you’re familiar with the basic consonants, try reading real words made with them.
Here are six simple and useful examples without final consonants (no 받침):
가다 (gada)
Meaning: To go
Structure: ㄱ + ㅏ + ㄷ + ㅏ
바다 (bada)
Meaning: Sea
Structure: ㅂ + ㅏ + ㄷ + ㅏ
사다 (sada)
Meaning: To buy
Structure: ㅅ + ㅏ + ㄷ + ㅏ
보다 (boda)
Meaning: To see / look
Structure: ㅂ + ㅗ + ㄷ + ㅏ
나라 (nara)
Meaning: Country
Structure: ㄴ + ㅏ + ㄹ + ㅏ
하나 (hana)
Meaning: One
Structure: ㅎ + ㅏ + ㄴ + ㅏ
📘 Download today’s worksheet as a PDF here.
7.Coming Up Next: Aspirated Consonants (ㅊ, ㅋ, ㅌ, ㅍ)!
Once you’ve mastered the basic consonants, the next step is to learn the aspirated consonants (ㅊ, ㅋ, ㅌ, ㅍ).
You’re now getting close to finishing the fundamentals of reading Hangul.
Just a little more to go—keep it up!
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