How to pronounce Korean vowels

Here's a guide to pronouncing the basic Korean vowels:

Simple Vowels

• ㅏ (a): Pronounced like the 'a' in "father" or "car."
• ㅓ (eo): Pronounced like the 'o' in "song" or "caught" (a sound between 'a' and 'o').
• ㅗ (o): Pronounced like the 'o' in "boat" or "go" (lips rounded).
• ㅜ (u): Pronounced like the 'oo' in "moon" or "flute" (lips rounded).
• ㅡ (eu): Pronounced like the 'u' in "put" or "book," but with the lips unrounded and pulled back, as if you're making a slight grunt.
• ㅣ (i): Pronounced like the 'ee' in "see" or "machine."
• ㅐ (ae): Pronounced like the 'a' in "cat" or "apple."
• ㅔ (e): Pronounced like the 'e' in "bed" or "get." (In modern Korean, ㅐ and ㅔ are often pronounced very similarly, almost identically, by many speakers).

Diphthongs (Compound Vowels)

Diphthongs are formed by combining a 'y' sound (ㅣ) or 'w' sound (ㅗ or ㅜ) with a simple vowel.

• ㅑ (ya): 'y' + 'a' (as in "yard")
• ㅕ (yeo): 'y' + 'eo' (as in "young")
• ㅛ (yo): 'y' + 'o' (as in "yogurt")
• ㅠ (yu): 'y' + 'u' (as in "you")
• ㅘ (wa): 'w' + 'a' (as in "want")
• ㅝ (wo): 'w' + 'eo' (as in "wonder")
• ㅚ (oe): 'w' + 'e' (similar to the 'we' in "weigh," but with lips more rounded for the 'o' sound)
• ㅟ (wi): 'w' + 'i' (as in "we")
• ㅙ (wae): 'w' + 'ae' (similar to 'wa' in "wag")
• ㅞ (we): 'w' + 'e' (similar to 'we' in "wet")
• ㅢ (ui): This one is tricky.
  • When it's the first syllable of a word, it's pronounced 'eu-i' (like 'eu' then 'i').
  • When it's not the first syllable, it's often pronounced 'i'.
  • When it's a possessive particle (like 'of'), it's pronounced 'e'.

Tip: The best way to learn is by listening to native speakers and practicing repeatedly. Online resources with audio examples can be very helpful.