Learning the Korean alphabet, Hangul (한글), is an exciting journey for anyone interested in the Korean language. After understanding the basic vowels and consonants, the next step is learning diphthongs (이중 모음). Diphthongs are combinations of two vowel sounds that create a smooth, connected pronunciation. In this three-part series, we will explore the essential Korean diphthongs step by step.
This first part will focus on two important diphthongs: ㅑ (ya) and ㅕ (yeo). By the end of this lesson, you will not only recognize these vowels but also pronounce them correctly and practice using them in real Korean words.
What Are Korean Diphthongs?
In Korean, diphthongs are created by adding a short sound, usually [y], before a basic vowel. This changes both the sound and the mouth shape. For example:
- ㅏ (a) → ㅑ (ya)
- ㅓ (eo) → ㅕ (yeo)
These new sounds are very common in everyday Korean words, so mastering them early will help you read and speak Korean more naturally.
Step 1: Learning ㅑ (ya)
The vowel ㅑ is formed by combining the sound [y] with the basic vowel ㅏ (a). Imagine saying “ee” very briefly, then smoothly moving into “ah.” The result is ya.
- Example words:
- 야구 (yagu) – baseball
- 야자 (yaja) – palm tree
How to Pronounce ㅑ
- Start with your mouth in the [i] (ee) position.
- Quickly move into the ㅏ (a) position, opening your mouth wider.
- Keep the [y] sound very short and the ㅏ (a) sound longer.
Repeat slowly: 이~아 → 야
Step 2: Learning ㅕ (yeo)
The vowel ㅕ is formed by combining [y] with the basic vowel ㅓ (eo). The sound does not exist exactly in English, but you can think of it as something between “yuh” and “yaw.”
- Example words:
- 여우 (yeou) – fox
- 혀 (hyeo) – tongue
How to Pronounce ㅕ
- Start with the [i] (ee) mouth position again.
- Quickly move into the ㅓ (eo) sound, where the mouth is slightly open and relaxed.
- Make the [y] very short and the ㅓ (eo) longer.
Repeat slowly: 이~어 → 여
Writing Practice for ㅑ and ㅕ
Writing Korean diphthongs is simple once you know the basic vowels.
- To write ㅑ (ya): Start with ㅏ, then add an extra short line to the right.
- To write ㅕ (yeo): Start with ㅓ, then add an extra short line to the right.
Practice writing each vowel several times, then combine them with consonants like ㅇ, ㄴ, or ㅅ to form syllables (e.g., 야, 여, 냐, 셔).
Vocabulary Practice
Here are some useful beginner words with ㅑ and ㅕ. Practice reading them out loud three times.
- 야구 (yagu) – baseball
- 야자 (yaja) – palm tree
- 여우 (yeou) – fox
- 혀 (hyeo) – tongue
- 여자 (yeoja) – woman
👉 Tip: Watch your teacher’s or a Korean speaker’s mouth when they pronounce these sounds. Notice how the lips and tongue move.
Fun Activity: Word Card Game
One effective way to practice diphthongs is through a simple card game.
- Prepare cards with words like 야구, 여우, 여자, and 혀.
- On the back of each card, write the pronunciation in Romanization.
- Say a word out loud, and let students find the matching card.
- Repeat with different teams for a fun competition.
This helps learners connect the Hangul spelling with correct pronunciation.
Listening and Speaking Practice
To improve your Korean pronunciation, try this two-step exercise:
- Listen carefully to recordings of native speakers saying words with ㅑ and ㅕ.
- Repeat loudly after each word, focusing on mouth movement and vowel length.
For example:
- Teacher: “야구” (yagu)
- Students: “야구, 야구, 야구”
- Teacher: “여우” (yeou)
- Students: “여우, 여우, 여우”
Repetition builds muscle memory in your tongue and lips, making your pronunciation more natural.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When learning ㅑ and ㅕ, many beginners make these mistakes:
- Skipping the [y] sound – Don’t just say “아” for ㅑ or “어” for ㅕ. Make sure to include the quick glide sound.
- Making [y] too long – Remember, the [y] is short, and the main vowel (ㅏ or ㅓ) should be longer.
- Confusing ㅕ with English “yo” – Be careful not to pronounce it like “yo” in English. The correct sound is “yeo.”
Why Learning Diphthongs Is Important
Korean diphthongs appear in many common words and names. Without learning them properly, it will be hard to read Korean sentences or have conversations. For example:
- If you say “여자” (woman) incorrectly as “오자,” the meaning changes completely.
- If you skip the glide sound in “야구,” people may misunderstand you.
By mastering these sounds now, you build a strong foundation for more complex vowels in the next lessons.
Conclusion
In this first part of our Korean diphthongs series, we focused on ㅑ (ya) and ㅕ (yeo). You learned how these sounds are formed, how to write them, and how to practice with real Korean vocabulary.
👉 Coming up next in Part 2, we will learn ㅛ (yo) and ㅠ (yu), two more important diphthongs that you will hear often in Korean daily life.
Keep practicing by reading, writing, and speaking the words introduced today. With enough repetition, pronouncing Korean diphthongs will soon feel natural and easy.