Pronunciation Rules (발음 규칙)

Why Pronunciation Rules Matter

Korean spelling and pronunciation often differ. When you read 먹어요, the letters say "meok-eo-yo," but Koreans actually say "meo-geo-yo." This is not irregular — it follows systematic pronunciation rules that apply consistently across the language.

Learning these rules will help you: - Sound natural when speaking - Understand spoken Korean that does not match the spelling - Predict how unfamiliar words are pronounced

Rule 1: 연음 (Liaison / Linking)

When a 받침 is followed by a syllable starting with ㅇ (silent placeholder), the 받침 consonant moves to the next syllable.

This is the most common and most important rule. It is also the most intuitive — you are simply connecting the final consonant to the next vowel sound.

Special Cases with ㅎ 받침

When ㅎ is the 받침 and is followed by a vowel, the ㅎ disappears (it is not linked):

Complex 받침 Liaison

When a 겹받침 (double 받침) is followed by a vowel, the second consonant moves to the next syllable:

Rule 2: 비음화 (Nasalization)

When certain consonants appear before nasal consonants (ㄴ, ㅁ), they change to the corresponding nasal sound.

Korean has three nasal consonants: ㄴ [n], ㅁ [m], and ㅇ [ng]. Nasalization means a non-nasal consonant transforms into a nasal one when it is next to another nasal.

Pattern: Stops → Nasals

How to Remember

The rule follows the place of articulation: - Back of mouth (ㄱ group) → nasalizes to ㅇ (back nasal) - Front of mouth / tongue tip (ㄷ group) → nasalizes to ㄴ (tongue nasal) - Lips (ㅂ group) → nasalizes to ㅁ (lip nasal)

Rule 3: 경음화 (Tensification)

After certain 받침 consonants, the following plain consonant becomes its tense (double) version.

When Does It Happen?

After 받침 ㄱ, ㄷ, ㅂ (stop consonants):

After 받침 ㄹ with ㄱ, ㄷ, ㅂ, ㅅ, ㅈ:

In certain grammatical patterns (verb conjugation):

Rule 4: 격음화 (Aspiration)

When ㅎ meets certain consonants (ㄱ, ㄷ, ㅂ, ㅈ), they merge into the corresponding aspirated consonant.

This rule works in both directions — it does not matter whether ㅎ comes first or second:

Rule 5: ㄹ Rules

The consonant ㄹ has several special behaviors:

ㄹ + ㄴ → ㄹ + ㄹ (ㄹ Assimilation)

When ㄹ is followed by ㄴ (or ㄴ is followed by ㄹ), the ㄴ often becomes ㄹ:

ㄴ + ㄹ → ㄹ + ㄹ

Exception: Sino-Korean ㄴ + ㄹ → ㄴ + ㄴ

In some Sino-Korean compound words, ㄴ+ㄹ becomes ㄴ+ㄴ instead:

Summary Table

How Multiple Rules Interact

Sometimes, more than one rule applies in sequence. Process them in order:

Example: 읽는다 (to read — present tense)

1. Start with: 읽 + 는 + 다
2. 겹받침 ㄺ: Before ㄴ, only ㄱ is pronounced → 익는다
3. Nasalization: ㄱ + ㄴ → ㅇ + ㄴ → [잉는다]
4. Final pronunciation: [잉는다]

Example: 없는 (not existing)

1. Start with: 없 + 는
2. 겹받침 ㅄ: Before ㄴ, only ㅂ is pronounced → 업는
3. Nasalization: ㅂ + ㄴ → ㅁ + ㄴ → [엄는]
4. Final pronunciation: [엄는]

Practice: What Is the Actual Pronunciation?

Try to figure out the pronunciation before checking the answers: