Hangul Flashcards

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. ae

2. 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. e

• Found in words like “세” (se), meaning “three.”

4. ye

• Used in words like “예” (ye), meaning “yes” (polite/formal).

5. wa

• Found in words like “와” (wa), meaning “come.”

6. wae

• Rarely used on its own but appears in compound words.

7. oe

• Appears in words like “외” (oe), meaning “outside” or “external.”

8. wo

• Found in words like “워” (wo), often used as a part of verbs like “추워” (chuwo), meaning “cold.”

9. we

• Less commonly used, typically found in compound words.

10. wi

• Found in words like “위” (wi), meaning “top” or “above.”

11. 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., )

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 Diphthongs Flashcards

Hangul Diphthong Romanization Meaning (if applicable)
ae Child, affection
yae Casual “hey”
e Three (in “세”)
ye Yes (polite/formal)
wa Come
wae Rarely used on its own
oe Outside, external
wo Cold (in “추워”)
we Rarely used on its own
wi Top, above
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.

This entry was posted in ChatGPT, Education, Ganbarou!, Language Notes, Reading and tagged , , . Bookmark the permalink.