Culture Journal #4: (Korean Writing System)

[Kristen Mejia]

The standard writing system in South Korea is Hangul (한글). It was created by King Sejong in the 15th century. Just like the English writing system, 한글 is composed of both consonants and vowels, however, 한글 also incorporates double consonants that make a more emphasized sound than the other consonants. There are 14 consonants (jaeum: 자음), 5 double consonants, and 21 vowels (Moeum: 모음). Hangul letters are grouped into syllabic blocks, vertically and horizontally. Also, words are read left to right, top to bottom. 

The 14 자음 in order are : 

1. ㄱ (Giyeok) 

2. ㄴ (Nieun) 

3. ㄷ (Digeut) 

4. ㄹ (Rieul)

5. ㅁ (Mieum) 

6. ㅂ (Bieup) 

7. ㅅ (Siot) 

8. ㅇ (Ieung) 

9. ㅈ (Jieut) 

10.ㅊ (Chieut) 

11. ㅋ (Kieuk) 

12. ㅌ (Tieut) 

13. ㅍ (Pieup) 

14. ㅎ (Hieut) 

The 5 double consonants in order are: 

1.ㄲ (Ssanggieok)

2.ㄸ (Ssanggdigeut) 

3.ㅃ (Ssangbieup) 

4.ㅆ (Ssangsiot) 

5.ㅉ (Ssangjieut) 

The 21 모음 in order are: 

1.ㅏ (A)                           11.ㅐ (Ae)                     21.의 (Ui) 

2.ㅑ(Ya).                         12.ㅔ (E) 

3.ㅓ (Eo)                         13.ㅒ (Yae) 

4.ㅕ (Yeo)                        14.ㅖ (Ye) 

5. ㅗ (O)                          15. 와 (Wa) 

6. ㅛ (Yo)                         16. 왜 (Wae) 

7. ㅜ (U)                          17. 외 (Oe) 

8. ㅠ (Yu)                         18. 워 (Wo) 

9. ㅡ (Eu)                         19. 웨 (We) 

10.ㅣ(I)                             20.위 (Wi)