Post by Victor Katz on Jan 5, 2020 6:25:36 GMT
Introduction
Korean is a very scientific language. It is based on the shapes of the speech organs, which makes it easier to learn how to read. Some may assume the Korean character is similar to that of Japan or China, but that is entirely not the case. While Chinese and Japanese characters are based on the meanings of each character, the Korean character is based on how each character is pronounced.
The Structure of a Korean Character
A Korean character is formed by three parts: Onset, Nucleus and Coda(Coda is not always there: Sometimes the Korean character is formed by only Onset and Nucleus. More on that later.). Let's take the Korean character above, "강", for an example. '강' has the letter 'ㄱ' as an Onset, 'ㅏ'as a Nucleus and 'ㅇ' as a Coda. You always use a consonant for Onsets and Codas, while you always use vowels for Nuclei.
Let's look at one more example:
"Oh, Victor Katz ! Where's the Coda?", you may ask. Well, dear reader, remember how I said that Coda is not always there? Well, this is simply the case. It has 'ㄱ' as the Onset, 'ㅗ' as the Nucleus but simply no Coda.
How to pronounce Korean
Well, let's move on to the fun part: Pronouncing! Pronouncing Korean is easy. Each Korean character also acts as a syllable. You pronounce each character by pronouncing the Onset, Nucleus and Coda continuously. The pronounciation chart for each character is as follows:
First, let's look at the Onsets.
You must note two important things:
Next, the Nuclei.
The things in parentheses are edited by me to make the pronounciation sound more natural to the ears of Koreans.
Finally, the Codas.
One thing to note, though.
Sounds complicated, right? Well, it isn't too hard after you get used to it. (Says a Korean who spoke Korean for a long time 
)
Examples
Let's look at a few examples. (I have enlarged the Korean on purpose)
If you have read the lesson above carefully, then congratulations! You can now read Korean better than some idiots I know IRL. 
Edit 1: Seems like pronounce would be more approprioate as the subject. Thanks for suggesting(And made me reconsider the wording) Tolbethessar
Korean is a very scientific language. It is based on the shapes of the speech organs, which makes it easier to learn how to read. Some may assume the Korean character is similar to that of Japan or China, but that is entirely not the case. While Chinese and Japanese characters are based on the meanings of each character, the Korean character is based on how each character is pronounced.
The Structure of a Korean Character
A Korean character is formed by three parts: Onset, Nucleus and Coda(Coda is not always there: Sometimes the Korean character is formed by only Onset and Nucleus. More on that later.). Let's take the Korean character above, "강", for an example. '강' has the letter 'ㄱ' as an Onset, 'ㅏ'as a Nucleus and 'ㅇ' as a Coda. You always use a consonant for Onsets and Codas, while you always use vowels for Nuclei.
Let's look at one more example:
"Oh, Victor Katz ! Where's the Coda?", you may ask. Well, dear reader, remember how I said that Coda is not always there? Well, this is simply the case. It has 'ㄱ' as the Onset, 'ㅗ' as the Nucleus but simply no Coda.
How to pronounce Korean
Well, let's move on to the fun part: Pronouncing! Pronouncing Korean is easy. Each Korean character also acts as a syllable. You pronounce each character by pronouncing the Onset, Nucleus and Coda continuously. The pronounciation chart for each character is as follows:
First, let's look at the Onsets.
| Korean Onsets | ㄱ | ㄴ | ㄷ | ㄹ | ㅁ | ㅂ | ㅅ | ㅇ | ㅈ | ㅊ | ㅋ | ㅌ | ㅍ | ㅎ | ㄲ | ㄸ | ㅆ | ㅉ |
| Pronounciation | g | n | d | r | m | b | s | Ignore | j | ch | k | t | p | h | kk | tt | ss | jj |
You must note two important things:
1. Do not pronounce the consonant 'ㅇ' when it is the Onset of the character.
2. Consonants are pronounced differently when it is the Coda of the character. (We'll get to that soon)
2. Consonants are pronounced differently when it is the Coda of the character. (We'll get to that soon)
Next, the Nuclei.
| Korean Nuclei | ㅏ | ㅑ | ㅓ | ㅕ | ㅗ | ㅛ | ㅜ | ㅠ | ㅡ | ㅣ | ㅐ | ㅒ | ㅔ | ㅖ | ㅚ | ㅘ | ㅙ | ㅟ | ㅝ | ㅞ | ㅢ |
| Pronounciation | a(ah) | ya(yah) | eo | yeo | o(oh) | yo(yoh) | u | yu | eu | i | ae | yae | e(eh) | ye(yeh) | oe | wa | wae | wi | wo | we | ui |
Finally, the Codas.
| Korean Codas | ㄱ, ㄲ, ㅋ, ㄳ, ㄺ | ㄴ, ㄵ, ㄶ | ㄷ, ㅅ, ㅆ, ㅈ, ㅊ, ㅌ (ㅎ) | ㄹ, ㄼ, ㄽ, ㄾ, ㅀ | ㅁ, ㄻ | ㅂ, ㅍ, ㅄ, ㄿ | ㅇ |
| Pronounciation | k | n | t | l | m | p | ng |
1. The pronounciation for 'ㅎ' is quite complicated. Pronounce it as 't' and you'll get away with it 75% of the times.
)Examples
Let's look at a few examples. (I have enlarged the Korean on purpose)
강: It has 'ㄱ' as the Onset, 'ㅏ' as the Nucleus and 'ㅇ' as the Coda. 'ㄱ' + 'ㅏ' + 'ㅇ'= g + a + ng = gang.
고: It has 'ㄱ' as the Onset, 'ㅗ' as the Nucleus and no Coda. 'ㄱ' + 'ㅗ'= g + o = go.
옹: Tricky example. 'ㅇ' as the Onset, 'ㅗ' as the Nucleus and 'ㅇ', again, but as a Coda. Remember, ignore the Onset 'ㅇ' but never ignore the coda 'ㅇ'. 'ㅇ' + 'ㅗ' + 'ㅇ' = Nothing + o + ng = ong.
굵: Seems complicated, but it really isn't. 'ㄱ' as the Onset, 'ㅜ' as the Nucleus and 'ㄺ' as a Coda. 'ㄱ' + 'ㅜ' + 'ㄺ'= g + u + k= guk.
고: It has 'ㄱ' as the Onset, 'ㅗ' as the Nucleus and no Coda. 'ㄱ' + 'ㅗ'= g + o = go.
옹: Tricky example. 'ㅇ' as the Onset, 'ㅗ' as the Nucleus and 'ㅇ', again, but as a Coda. Remember, ignore the Onset 'ㅇ' but never ignore the coda 'ㅇ'. 'ㅇ' + 'ㅗ' + 'ㅇ' = Nothing + o + ng = ong.
굵: Seems complicated, but it really isn't. 'ㄱ' as the Onset, 'ㅜ' as the Nucleus and 'ㄺ' as a Coda. 'ㄱ' + 'ㅜ' + 'ㄺ'= g + u + k= guk.
Edit 1: Seems like pronounce would be more approprioate as the subject. Thanks for suggesting(And made me reconsider the wording) Tolbethessar
