Learn Korean for Free | Beginner Korean Grammar #47
학교 is commonly pronounced [학꾜], not one syllable at a time as 학-교. The stronger following consonant illustrates 경음화, or tensification.
What Does 발음 규칙 2. 경음화 Mean?
In common sound environments, a following plain consonant ㄱ, ㄷ, ㅂ, ㅅ, or ㅈ is pronounced as the tense consonant ㄲ, ㄸ, ㅃ, ㅆ, or ㅉ. The written spelling remains the same.
The Rule
Learn frequent words as sound patterns: 학교 [학꾜], 식당 [식땅], 국밥 [국빱], 책상 [책쌍], 입구 [입꾸]. The full rule has several grammatical environments, so beginner practice should focus on recognizing and producing reliable examples.
Useful Korean Words
| Korean | English |
|---|---|
| 학교 [학꾜] | school |
| 식당 [식땅] | restaurant |
| 국밥 [국빱] | rice soup |
| 책상 [책쌍] | desk |
| 입구 [입꾸] | entrance |
| 숙제 [숙쩨] | homework |
| 약국 [약꾹] | pharmacy |
| 경음화 | tensification |
Korean Pronunciation Examples
학교에 가요. [학꾜에 가요]
I go to school.
식당에서 밥을 먹어요. [식땅에서]
I eat at a restaurant.
국밥을 주문해요. [국빠블]
I order rice soup.
책상 위에 책이 있어요. [책쌍]
There is a book on the desk.
입구에서 만나요. [입꾸]
Let’s meet at the entrance.
A Short Dialogue
A: 약국이 어디에 있어요? — Where is the pharmacy?
B: 학교 입구 옆에 있어요. — It is beside the school entrance.
A: [학꾜 입꾸]라고 발음해요? — Do I pronounce it [학꾜 입꾸]?
B: 네, 두 단어 모두 뒤 자음이 된소리로 나요. — Yes, the following consonant is tense in both words.
A Common Mistake to Avoid
Do not change the spelling to 학꾜 or 식땅. Pronunciation brackets are learning aids only. 경음화 is not applied simply because two consonants are next to each other; practice verified words rather than guessing every new word.
Quick Quiz 🎯
Match the written word with its sound: ① 학교 ② 식당 ③ 책상 ④ 입구 / [입꾸], [책쌍], [식땅], [학꾜].
Answers and Explanation
① 학교 [학꾜] ② 식당 [식땅] ③ 책상 [책쌍] ④ 입구 [입꾸]. Say the plain and tense consonants separately, then read the complete word.
Try It Aloud
Read the examples with 발음 규칙 2. 경음화 slowly, then repeat them at a natural speed. Make two short sentences of your own and record yourself once. Compare the grammar form, spacing, or pronunciation with the model before trying again.
Previous lesson · Next lesson · Beginner grammar: study guide and lesson index