In our previous article, we learned about the Korean aspirated consonants ㅋ, ㅌ, and ㅍ. These sounds are stronger versions of their plain counterparts, created with an extra burst of air.
In this second part of our series on Korean aspirated consonants (격음, gyeogeum), we will focus on two more important sounds: ㅊ (ch) and ㅎ (h). These consonants appear very frequently in Korean words, so mastering their pronunciation will greatly improve your speaking and listening skills.
Why Are ㅊ and ㅎ Important?
- ㅊ (chieut) is similar to the “ch” sound in English words like chair or chocolate, but pronounced with a stronger, breathier release.
- ㅎ (hieut) is similar to the English “h” in hello, but can sound softer or stronger depending on the word.
Unlike some other consonants, these two are very easy to spot in Korean words. They often appear at the beginning of syllables and give a word its clear, strong sound.
Learning the Sound of ㅊ (Chieut)
The consonant ㅊ is pronounced by pressing your tongue against the roof of your mouth (the hard palate) and then releasing it with a strong puff of air. It’s similar to an English “ch,” but you must be careful to keep the sound strong and aspirated.
Practice with Vowels
- 차 [cha] – cha
- 초 [cho] – cho
👉 Try saying them aloud while holding your palm in front of your mouth. You should feel the strong breath of air.
Example Words with ㅊ
- 치마 [chima] – skirt
- 고추 [gochu] – chili pepper
- 배추 [baechu] – cabbage
- 초대 [chodae] – invitation
Learning the Sound of ㅎ (Hieut)
The consonant ㅎ is pronounced by narrowing the throat and letting air pass through with friction. It is very similar to the English “h,” but Korean uses it more often in everyday vocabulary.
Practice with Vowels
- 하 [ha] – ha
- 호 [ho] – ho
👉 Practice saying ha, ho several times. Your voice should feel airy and open, as if you are sighing gently.
Example Words with ㅎ
- 허리 [heori] – waist
- 호주 [hoju] – Australia
- 채소 [chaeso] – vegetables
- 기차 [gicha] – train (note: has both ㄱ and ㅊ)
Writing Practice: Stroke Order
When learning Korean consonants, writing practice is just as important as speaking.
- ㅊ:
- Draw the short horizontal line at the top.
- Add the longer horizontal line beneath it.
- Write the vertical line down through both.
- ㅎ:
- Draw the horizontal stroke first.
- Then add the circle underneath.
- Finish with the small vertical line above.
👉 Remember the rule: horizontal strokes go left to right, vertical strokes go top to bottom.
Pronunciation Guide
ㅊ
- Place the tongue against the hard palate.
- Release with a strong burst of air and friction.
- Example: 차 [cha], 초 [cho].
ㅎ
- Narrow the throat slightly.
- Exhale strongly but without blocking air.
- Example: 하 [ha], 호 [ho].
Word Practice with Pictures
Using images helps link meaning and pronunciation. Try practicing these words while looking at a picture of each object:
- 치마 (skirt)
- 고추 (chili pepper)
- 허리 (waist)
- 호주 (Australia)
- 배추 (cabbage)
- 초대 (invitation)
This method helps your memory and makes vocabulary learning natural.
Fun Practice Activities
📌 Flashcard Reading
- Prepare cards with a word on the front (e.g., 치마) and its pronunciation on the back.
- Read the card aloud, then check your pronunciation.
- Practice in pairs or small groups if possible.
📌 Bingo Game
A fun way to review words with ㅊ and ㅎ is through Bingo.
How to play:
- Each team receives a set of word cards such as 배추, 초대, 허리, 치마, 고추, 호주, 기차, 주차, 채소.
- Arrange them in a 3×3 grid.
- Teams take turns saying a word.
- If the word is on your grid, you cross it out.
- The first team to get three in a row shouts “Bingo!”
This game makes repetition enjoyable and improves listening skills.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Confusing ㅈ and ㅊ
- ㅈ is a softer “j” sound, while ㅊ is a stronger, aspirated “ch.”
- Example: 자 [ja] vs. 차 [cha].
- Making ㅎ too weak
- Sometimes learners forget to add enough breath.
- Make sure you exhale slightly as you say ㅎ.
- Overusing Romanization
- Writing “cha” and “ha” in English letters may help in the beginning, but you should practice directly with Hangul.
Summary: ㅊ and ㅎ
- ㅊ = Strong “ch” sound (like ch in “chair,” but breathier).
- ㅎ = Strong “h” sound (like h in “hello”).
Practice with vowels:
- 차, 초 / 하, 호
And remember to practice with real Korean words:
- 치마 (skirt), 고추 (chili pepper), 허리 (waist), 호주 (Australia).
What’s Next?
This is Part 2 of the Korean Aspirated Consonant Series.
In the final article, we will compare all aspirated consonants—ㅋ, ㅌ, ㅍ, ㅊ, and ㅎ—with their plain counterparts to help you hear the differences clearly.
👉 Stay tuned for Part 3: Comparing Aspirated and Plain Consonants in Korean.
Final Thoughts
Learning ㅊ and ㅎ will greatly boost your ability to recognize and pronounce common Korean words. These two sounds appear frequently in beginner vocabulary, so daily practice will make a big difference in your fluency.
💡 Pro tip: Try shadowing—listen to a native speaker say words like 치마 or 호주, then repeat immediately, matching the rhythm and breath. This technique helps you sound more natural.
Keep practicing, and soon you’ll confidently say:
- “치마 예뻐요!” (The skirt is pretty!)
- “호주에 가고 싶어요.” (I want to go to Australia.)
Learn Basic Korean Vowels(1): A Beginner’s Guide to Hangul
Learn Korean Consonants (1): ㄴ, ㅁ, ㄹ (Ni-eun, Mi-eum, Ri-eul) – Beginner’s Guide
Learn Korean Vowels (3) ㅡ, ㅣ, ㅔ, ㅐ: Pronunciation and Writing Guide