Below is a list of Hangul diphthongs paired with their romanized representations. ChatGPT also included meanings if any diphthong forms a word, prefix, or suffix. You can use these pairs to make flashcards. This list is repeated as a table below.
Hangul Diphthongs and Romanization:
• Commonly used in words like “애” (ae) meaning “child” or “affection.”
1. ㅐ – ae
2. ㅒ – yae
• A less common diphthong, mainly used in certain Korean words like “얘” (yae), which is a casual way to say “hey” to someone.
3. ㅔ – e
• Found in words like “세” (se), meaning “three.”
4. ㅖ – ye
• Used in words like “예” (ye), meaning “yes” (polite/formal).
5. ㅘ – wa
• Found in words like “와” (wa), meaning “come.”
6. ㅙ – wae
• Rarely used on its own but appears in compound words.
7. ㅚ – oe
• Appears in words like “외” (oe), meaning “outside” or “external.”
8. ㅝ – wo
• Found in words like “워” (wo), often used as a part of verbs like “추워” (chuwo), meaning “cold.”
9. ㅞ – we
• Less commonly used, typically found in compound words.
10. ㅟ – wi
• Found in words like “위” (wi), meaning “top” or “above.”
11. ㅢ – ui
• Appears in words like “의” (ui), which can mean “of,” “righteousness,” or “clothes” depending on context.
Example Word or Affix Meanings:
• 애 (ae): Child, affection.
• 예 (ye): Polite/formal “yes.”
• 외 (oe): Outside, external.
• 위 (wi): Above, top.
• 의 (ui): Of, righteousness, or clothes.
How to Use These for Flashcards:
• Front of Flashcard: Hangul Diphthong (e.g., ㅘ)
• Back of Flashcard: Romanization and meaning (if applicable) (e.g., wa – “come”).
This set should help you get familiar with Hangul diphthongs and their common usages!
Hangul Diphthongs Flashcards
Hangul Diphthong | Romanization | Meaning (if applicable) |
---|---|---|
ㅐ | ae | Child, affection |
ㅒ | yae | Casual “hey” |
ㅔ | e | Three (in “세”) |
ㅖ | ye | Yes (polite/formal) |
ㅘ | wa | Come |
ㅙ | wae | Rarely used on its own |
ㅚ | oe | Outside, external |
ㅝ | wo | Cold (in “추워”) |
ㅞ | we | Rarely used on its own |
ㅟ | wi | Top, above |
ㅢ | ui | Of, righteousness, clothes |
In Korean, the groups of Hangul letters that form a syllable are called “글자” (geulja) or more specifically, a “syllabic block”. Each syllabic block in Hangul consists of a combination of consonants and vowels arranged in a specific structure. Here’s a breakdown of the structure, rules, and exceptions:
Structure of Hangul Syllabic Blocks:
1. Initial Consonant (초성, choseong):
• This is the first part of the syllabic block and must always be present.
• Examples: ㄱ, ㄴ, ㄷ, etc.
2. Medial Vowel (중성, jungseong):
• This is the second part and must always follow the initial consonant.
• Examples: ㅏ, ㅓ, ㅗ, ㅜ, etc.
3. Final Consonant (받침, batchim) (optional):
• This is an optional part that comes after the medial vowel.
• Examples: ㄱ, ㄴ, ㅂ, etc.
Basic Rules for Forming Syllabic Blocks:
• A syllabic block must contain at least an initial consonant and a medial vowel.
• Example: 가 (g + a), 나 (n + a)
• The syllabic block can also include a final consonant.
• Example: 각 (g + a + k), 밥 (b + a + b)
Special Rules and Exceptions:
1. Silent Initial Consonant (ㅇ):
• When no initial consonant is needed, ㅇ is used as a placeholder. In this case, it is silent and the sound of the syllable begins with the vowel.
• Example: 아 (ㅇ + a), 오 (ㅇ + o)
2. Batchim Rules:
• When a final consonant is present, it affects the pronunciation of the syllable.
• Example: 밥 (bap) – The “ㅂ” is pronounced with a light stop at the end.
• Some consonants have simplified pronunciations when in the final position:
• ㅂ, ㅍ → pronounced as ㅂ (b)
• ㄷ, ㅌ, ㅅ, ㅆ, ㅈ, ㅊ, ㅎ → pronounced as ㄷ (d)
• ㄱ, ㅋ → pronounced as ㄱ (g)
3. Double Consonants (쌍자음, ssangjaeum):
• Double consonants can appear as the initial consonant and have a stronger, tense sound.
• Examples: ㄲ (gg), ㄸ (dd), ㅃ (bb), ㅆ (ss), ㅉ (jj)
4. Compound Vowels (이중모음, ijungmoeum):
• Vowels can combine to form diphthongs.
• Examples: ㅘ (wa), ㅢ (ui)
5. Consonant Clusters in Batchim (겹받침, gyeopbatchim):
• Some syllables end with two consonants (clusters). Only one of them is typically pronounced unless followed by another syllable that starts with a vowel.
• Examples: 읽 (ilk), 앉 (anj), 여덟 (yeodeolb) – Here, ㄹ is pronounced while ㅂ is silent unless the next syllable starts with a vowel.
6. Sound Changes (음운 변화, eumun byeonhwa):
• Certain sound changes occur when syllables combine:
• Nasalization: When a consonant like ㄱ, ㄷ, ㅂ is followed by a nasal sound (ㄴ or ㅁ), it changes to a nasal consonant (ㄴ or ㅁ).
• Example: 국물 (gukmul) → [궁물] (kungmul)
• Tensification: After some syllables, the following consonant may become tense.
• Example: 학교 (hakgyo) → [학꾜] (hakkkyo)
These rules and exceptions help create the rich and systematic structure of Hangul, making it both logical and adaptable to different sounds in Korean.