In our previous lessons, we practiced the Korean vowels ㅡ, ㅣ, ㅔ, ㅐ. Now, let’s move on to their paired forms: 으, 이, 에, 애. These vowels are essential because they appear in many everyday Korean words, and some of them share the same sounds as vowels you already learned.
This guide will show you how to pronounce, write, and practice these four vowels step by step.
Korean Vowel 으 (eu)
- Symbol: 으
- Pronunciation: [eu], the same as ㅡ
- Example words:
- 으레 (eure, usually)
- 으악 (eu-ak, an exclamation like “Ahh!”)
- 의료 (uiryo, medical care)
💡 Note: 으 is basically ㅡ with the placeholder consonant ㅇ in front. The sound stays the same.
Korean Vowel 이 (i)
- Symbol: 이
- Pronunciation: [i], the same as ㅣ (like “ee” in see)
- Example words:
- 이 (i, this / tooth)
- 이름 (ireum, name)
- 의미 (uimi, meaning)
💡 Note: 이 is just ㅣ with the consonant ㅇ in front. The pronunciation doesn’t change.
Korean Vowel 에 (e)
- Symbol: 에
- Pronunciation: [e], the same as ㅔ (like “e” in bed)
- Example words:
- 에 (e, at, in)
- 세계 (segye, world)
- 예 (ye, yes / example)
Korean Vowel 애 (ae)
- Symbol: 애
- Pronunciation: [ae], the same as ㅐ (similar to “a” in cat)
- Example words:
- 애 (ae, child)
- 새애 (sae, new / bird)
- 내애 (nae, my child)
으, 이, 에, 애 vs. ㅡ, ㅣ, ㅔ, ㅐ
Here’s the key point:
- 으 = ㅡ (same sound)
- 이 = ㅣ (same sound)
- 에 = ㅔ (same sound)
- 애 = ㅐ (same sound)
👉 The only difference is that when these vowels form a syllable by themselves, you must add the consonant ㅇ in front.
How to Write Them
When writing syllables with vowels only:
- Always place ㅇ before the vowel.
- For vertical vowels like 이, 에, 애, write ㅇ on the left.
- For horizontal vowels like 으, write ㅇ on top.
✍ Example:
- 으 = ㅇ + ㅡ
- 이 = ㅇ + ㅣ
- 에 = ㅇ + ㅔ
- 애 = ㅇ + ㅐ
Practice Ideas
🔹 Flashcards
Write one side with ㅡ, ㅣ, ㅔ, ㅐ and the other with 으, 이, 에, 애. Compare them and notice that the sounds are the same.
🔹 Reading Practice
Read aloud simple syllables:
- 으, 이, 에, 애
- 구, 기, 게, 개
- 무, 미, 메, 매
🔹 Word Game
- Prepare a set of word cards.
- A teacher (or study partner) says a word.
- You find the matching card and read it aloud.
This game helps you connect spelling and pronunciation quickly.
Common Mistakes
- Forgetting the ㅇ: Remember, a vowel syllable must always start with ㅇ.
- Confusing ㅔ and ㅐ with 에 and 애: They sound the same, but don’t forget the spelling difference.
- Misplacing ㅇ:
- For ㅡ, ㅇ goes above.
- For ㅣ, ㅔ, ㅐ, ㅇ goes to the left.
Key Takeaways
- 으, 이, 에, 애 are the same sounds as ㅡ, ㅣ, ㅔ, ㅐ, but they need ㅇ to form a syllable.
- Stroke order matters: write ㅇ first, then the vowel.
- Practice with flashcards, writing drills, and listening games to build confidence.
What’s Next?
Now that you know the pairs ㅡ/으, ㅣ/이, ㅔ/에, ㅐ/애, you’re ready to learn combined vowels (like ㅑ, ㅕ, ㅛ, ㅠ, ㅒ, ㅖ), which expand your ability to read Korean words and sentences.
Learn Basic Korean Vowels(1): A Beginner’s Guide to Hangul
Learn Korean Vowels (2) 아, 어, 오, 우: Pronunciation and Writing Guide
Learn Korean Vowels (3) ㅡ, ㅣ, ㅔ, ㅐ: Pronunciation and Writing Guide