Lesson 7

Linking Sounds (연음화)

When a syllable ending in a consonant (받침) is followed by ㅇ, the final consonant moves to the next syllable.

연음화 — The Basic Rule

When a syllable ends in a consonant (받침) and the next syllable starts with ㅇ (silent), the 받침 moves to become the initial consonant of the next syllable. Written: 먹어요 [meok-eo-yo] → Spoken: [meo-geo-yo].

먹어요 → [머거요]meogeoyo먹 (eat) + 어요 → the ㄱ moves: [meo-geo-yo]

열어요 → [여러요]yeoreoyo열 (open) + 어요 → the ㄹ moves: [yeo-reo-yo]

Double 받침 (겹받침) and 연음화

Some syllables have two final consonants (겹받침). When followed by ㅇ, usually the second consonant moves to the next syllable. 읽어요: 읽(ㄹㄱ) + 어요 → [일거요]. 앉아요: 앉(ㄴㅈ) + 아요 → [안자요].

읽어요 → [일거요]ilgeoyo읽(ㄹ+ㄱ) + 어요 → ㄱ moves: [il-geo-yo]

앉아요 → [안자요]anjayo앉(ㄴ+ㅈ) + 아요 → ㅈ moves: [an-ja-yo]

먹어요meogeoyoeat (polite)

Examples점심에 뭐 먹어요?jeomsime mwo meogeoyoWhat are you eating for lunch?

앉아요anjayosit (polite)

Examples여기 앉아도 돼요?yeogi anjado dwaeyoMay I sit here?

읽어요ilgeoyoread (polite)

Examples매일 책을 읽어요.maeil chaegeul ilgeoyoI read a book every day.

찾아요chajayolook for (polite)

Examples열쇠를 찾아요.yeolsoereul chajayoI'm looking for my keys.

열어요yeoreoyoopen (polite)

Examples창문을 열어요.changmuneul yeoreoyoOpen the window.

닫아요dadayoclose (polite)

Examples문을 닫아요.muneul dadayoClose the door.