Lesson 1

Basic Vowels

Learn the 6 basic Korean vowels: ㅏ, ㅓ, ㅗ, ㅜ, ㅡ, ㅣ

How Korean Vowels Work

Korean vowels are written with vertical (ㅏ,ㅓ,ㅣ) or horizontal (ㅗ,ㅜ,ㅡ) strokes. They always need a consonant to form a syllable — when a vowel starts a syllable, it uses the silent consonant ㅇ.

아 (ㅇ + ㅏ)aSilent ㅇ + vowel ㅏ = 'a'

오 (ㅇ + ㅗ)oSilent ㅇ + vowel ㅗ = 'o'

우 (ㅇ + ㅜ)uSilent ㅇ + vowel ㅜ = 'u'

ㅏa'a' as in 'father'

Examples아이aichild

ㅓeo'uh' as in 'sun'

Examples어머니eomeonimother

ㅗo'o' as in 'go'

Examples오리oriduck

ㅜu'oo' as in 'moon'

Examples우유uyumilk

ㅡeuNo English equivalent — unrounded 'oo' with flat lips

Examples으흥euheunghmm (expression of thought)

ㅣi'ee' as in 'see'

Examples이름ireumname