Unit 3: Complex Vowels and Double Consonants

You already know the 10 basic vowels and 14 basic consonants. Now we just need to learn how they combine to make the remaining letters!

1. Complex Vowels (Combination Vowels)

In Korean, you can combine basic vowels together to create new sounds. Most of these sound like "w" sounds (because you combine a horizontal 'o/u' with a vertical 'a/eo/i').

The "Ae / E" sounds: * 애 (ae): Combination of 아 + 이. Sounds like the "e" in bed or "a" in apple. * 에 (e): Combination of 어 + 이. Sounds exactly the same as '애' in modern Korean! * 얘 (yae): Add a stroke to 애. Sounds like "yea" (as in yeah). * 예 (ye): Add a stroke to 에. Sounds exactly the same as '얘' in modern Korean (like yes).

The "W" sounds: * 와 (wa): 오 + 아. Sounds like "wah" in water. * 워 (weo): 우 + 어. Sounds like "wo" in wonder. * 왜 (wae): 오 + 애. Sounds like "wae" (like the word way). * 웨 (we): 우 + 에. Sounds exactly the same as '왜' (like way). * 외 (oe): 오 + 이. Historically sounded different, but in modern Korean sounds exactly the same as 왜 and 웨 (like way). Yes, Korean has 3 identical "way" sounds! * 위 (wi): 우 + 이. Sounds like "wee". * 의 (eui): 으 + 이. This is tricky! Pronounce "eu" and then immediately "ee" (eu-ee). It sounds like you are smiling while saying "wee".

2. Double Consonants

Sometimes, a consonant is doubled up to create a very tense, tight sound. You do this by stopping the airflow in your throat before releasing the sound.

There are only 5 double consonants: * ㄲ (kk): Tense 'g/k'. (Think of the 'k' in sky, with no extra breath). * ㄸ (tt): Tense 'd/t'. (Think of the 't' in star). * ㅃ (pp): Tense 'b/p'. (Think of the 'p' in spy). * ㅆ (ss): Tense 's'. (A sharper, hissing 's'). * ㅉ (jj): Tense 'j'. (Think of the 'j' in a very sharp, tight word).

These sound different from the aspirated consonants (ㅋ, ㅌ, ㅍ, ㅊ) because those have a LOT of air coming out, whereas the double consonants have NO air coming out!

Reading Practice with Complex Letters

• 사과 (sa-gwa) = Apple
• 시계 (si-gye) = Clock/Watch
• 의사 (eui-sa) = Doctor
• 토끼 (to-kki) = Rabbit
• 아빠 (a-ppa) = Dad

Summary

• You combine vowels to make "ae", "e", and "w" sounds.
• In modern spoken Korean, 애/에 sound the same, and 왜/웨/외 sound the same!
• Double consonants are tense, tight sounds with no extra breath.