In the final part of our diphthong series, we will focus on ㅖ (ye) and ㅒ (yae). These vowels often confuse beginners because their pronunciation is very close. Let’s break them down clearly so you can use them confidently.
Step 1: Learning ㅖ (ye)
- Formation: ㅖ comes from adding [y] to ㅔ.
- Pronunciation: A short “ee” sound plus “eh.”
- Slowly: 이~에 → 예
- Example Words:
- 예 (ye) – yes (formal)
- 셰프 (syepu) – chef
- 폐 (pye) – lung
👉 Note: In modern Korean, ㅖ can sometimes sound like [e], especially in fast speech (e.g., 시계 → [시계/시게]). Both are accepted standard pronunciations.
Step 2: Learning ㅒ (yae)
- Formation: ㅒ comes from adding [y] to ㅐ.
- Pronunciation: A short “ee” sound plus “ae.”
- Slowly: 이~애 → 얘
- Example Words:
- 얘기 (yaegi) – story, talk
- 쟤 (jae) – that kid
Writing Practice
- To write ㅖ (ye): Start with ㅔ and add an extra short stroke.
- To write ㅒ (yae): Start with ㅐ and add an extra stroke.
Practice by writing 예, 얘, 계, 쟤, and using them in full words.
Vocabulary Practice
Repeat each word three times:
- 예 (ye) – yes
- 얘기 (yaegi) – story
- 쟤 (jae) – that kid
- 시계 (sigye/sige) – clock
- 지혜 (ji-hye/ji-he) – wisdom
Fun Activity: Bingo Game
Try a Korean vowel bingo game to practice ㅖ and ㅒ.
- Make a 5×5 bingo sheet.
- Fill each square with diphthong words (예, 얘기, 쟤, 셰프, 시계, etc.).
- Teacher calls out a word, and students cross it off.
- The first to complete a line shouts “빙고!”
This reinforces both listening and reading skills.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing ㅖ (ye) and ㅒ (yae) – they sound very similar, so context helps.
- Forgetting that ㅖ sometimes sounds like [e] – this is normal in standard Korean.
- Overpronouncing the [y] sound – keep it short and smooth.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You have now completed the three-part series on Korean diphthongs. You’ve learned:
- Part 1: ㅑ (ya), ㅕ (yeo)
- Part 2: ㅛ (yo), ㅠ (yu)
- Part 3: ㅖ (ye), ㅒ (yae)
By mastering these vowel combinations, you are well-prepared to read more Korean words, improve your pronunciation, and build confidence in speaking. Keep practicing daily, and soon, Hangul will feel natural and easy.