Learn Korean for Free | Beginner Korean Grammar #48
좋다 is pronounced [조타], and 축하 is pronounced [추카]. In these words, ㅎ combines with a neighboring consonant and creates an aspirated sound.
What Does 발음 규칙 3. 격음화 Mean?
격음화, or aspiration, occurs when ㅎ meets ㄱ, ㄷ, ㅂ, or ㅈ in certain positions. The combined pronunciation becomes ㅋ, ㅌ, ㅍ, or ㅊ.
The Rule
ㄱ + ㅎ → ㅋ: 축하 [추카]. ㄷ/ㅅ-like final + ㅎ or ㅎ + ㄷ → ㅌ: 좋다 [조타]. ㅂ + ㅎ → ㅍ: 입학 [이팍]. ㅈ + ㅎ → ㅊ: 잡히다 [자피다] follows the ㅂ+ㅎ pattern, while 놓지 [노치] shows ㅎ+ㅈ. Focus on the complete examples.
Useful Korean Words
| Korean | English |
|---|---|
| 좋다 [조타] | to be good |
| 축하 [추카] | congratulations |
| 입학 [이팍] | school entrance/enrollment |
| 놓고 [노코] | put down and |
| 잡히다 [자피다] | to be caught |
| 놓지 [노치] | do not put |
| 그렇지만 [그러치만] | however |
| 격음화 | aspiration |
Korean Pronunciation Examples
날씨가 좋다. [조타]
The weather is good.
입학을 축하해요. [이파글 추카해요]
Congratulations on your enrollment.
가방을 여기 놓고 가세요. [노코]
Put the bag here and go.
물고기가 잡혔어요. [자펴써요]
The fish was caught.
그렇지만 괜찮아요. [그러치만]
However, it is okay.
A Short Dialogue
A: ‘축하해요’를 어떻게 발음해요? — How do you pronounce 축하해요?
B: [추카해요]라고 발음해요. — It is pronounced [추카해요].
A: ‘입학을 축하해요’도 말해 볼게요. — I’ll try saying “Congratulations on your enrollment.”
B: 네, [이파글 추카해요]처럼 이어서 말해 보세요. — Yes, link it as [이파글 추카해요].
A Common Mistake to Avoid
Aspiration affects sound, not spelling. Never replace ㅎ with ㅋ, ㅌ, ㅍ, or ㅊ in ordinary writing. Because more than one sound rule can operate in a phrase, first master the clear word-level examples.
Quick Quiz 🎯
Choose the expected sound: ① 좋다 (조타 / 졷다) ② 축하 (추카 / 축하 with a pause) ③ 입학 (이팍 / 입악) ④ 놓고 (노코 / 노고).
Answers and Explanation
① [조타] ② [추카] ③ [이팍] ④ [노코]. Produce a small breath of air with ㅋ, ㅌ, and ㅍ.
Try It Aloud
Read the examples with 발음 규칙 3. 격음화 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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