Learn Korean for Free | Beginner Korean Grammar #46
한국어 is written in three syllable blocks, but it is commonly heard as [한구거]. This smooth connection is called 연음, or liaison.
What Does 발음 규칙 1. 연음 Mean?
When a syllable ends in a consonant and the next syllable begins with silent ㅇ plus a vowel, the final consonant is pronounced as the onset of the next syllable. The spelling does not change.
The Rule
한국어 → [한구거], 먹어요 → [머거요], 옷을 → [오슬], 책이 → [채기], 음악 → [으막]. Read across the block boundary without inserting a pause. Some final-consonant clusters require additional rules and can be learned later.
Useful Korean Words
| Korean | English |
|---|---|
| 한국어 | Korean language |
| 먹어요 | eat |
| 옷을 | clothes + object particle |
| 책이 | book + subject particle |
| 음악 | music |
| 집에 | at/to home |
| 문을 | door + object particle |
| 연음 | liaison |
Korean Pronunciation Examples
한국어 [한구거]
The ㄱ links to the following 어.
먹어요 [머거요]
The final ㄱ is heard at the start of 어.
옷을 [오슬]
The final ㅅ is pronounced as the onset of 을.
책이 [채기]
The final ㄱ links to 이.
집에 [지베]
The final ㅂ links to 에.
A Short Dialogue
A: 한국어를 배우고 있어요. — I am learning Korean.
B: [한구거를]처럼 자연스럽게 이어서 말해 보세요. — Try linking it naturally as [한구거를].
A: 한국어를 배우고 있어요. — I am learning Korean.
B: 좋아요. 음절 사이를 끊지 않았어요. — Good. You did not break between the syllables.
A Common Mistake to Avoid
연음 changes pronunciation, not spelling. Do not rewrite 한국어 as 한구거 in normal text. Brackets in this lesson show sound only. Also avoid adding a strong pause between 받침 and the following vowel.
Quick Quiz 🎯
Choose the expected connected pronunciation: ① 먹어요 (머거요 / 먹어요 with a pause) ② 옷을 (오슬 / 오들) ③ 책이 (채기 / 채시) ④ 집에 (지베 / 지세).
Answers and Explanation
① [머거요] ② [오슬] ③ [채기] ④ [지베]. Read each full expression slowly, then repeat it without pausing between the blocks.
Try It Aloud
Read the examples with 발음 규칙 1. 연음 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.
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