In Part 1 of our series on Korean tense consonants, we learned how to pronounce ㄲ, ㄸ, and ㅃ. Now it’s time to move on to the next set: ㅆ (ss) and ㅉ (jj).
These sounds can be tricky for learners because they don’t exist exactly the same way in English. But with practice, you’ll be able to use them naturally in conversation. Let’s dive in.
📌 What Are ㅆ and ㅉ?
Both ㅆ and ㅉ are tense versions of their plain consonants:
- ㅅ → ㅆ
- ㅈ → ㅉ
They are written with a double stroke, just like the tense consonants you learned in Part 1.
👉 Remember: tense consonants are not aspirated. They are made with strong muscular tension and released quickly, without extra breath.
🎯 How to Pronounce ㅆ (ss)
The tense consonant ㅆ is sharper than the plain ㅅ.
- Combine ㅆ with vowels to practice:
- 싸 [ssa]
- 쏘 [sso]
- Place your tongue near the top of your teeth (like English “s”), but add tension and keep it short.
📌 Example words with ㅆ:
- 쓰다 [sseuda] → to write / to use
- 바빠서 못 갔어 [bappaseo mot gasseo] → because I was busy, I couldn’t go
- 쏘다 [ssoda] → to shoot
Tip: Imagine saying “snake” but stop the “s” suddenly with extra strength.
🎯 How to Pronounce ㅉ (jj)
The tense consonant ㅉ is the tense version of ㅈ (j).
- Combine ㅉ with vowels to practice:
- 짜 [jja]
- 쪼 [jjo]
- Press your tongue firmly against the roof of your mouth and release the sound quickly.
📌 Example words with ㅉ:
- 짜다 [jjada] → salty / to squeeze
- 쫓다 [jjotda] → to chase
- 찌개 [jjigae] → stew
Tip: Be careful not to pronounce ㅉ like “ch” (as in cheese). It should sound tighter and shorter, like a strong “j”.
📝 Practice Drills for ㅆ and ㅉ
Step 1: Pair with vowels
- 싸, 쏘 / 짜, 쪼
Repeat slowly at first, then faster. Keep the tension clear.
Step 2: Word flashcards
Prepare picture cards with these examples:
- 쓰다 (to write)
- 쏘다 (to shoot)
- 짜다 (salty)
- 찌개 (stew)
Say the word out loud while looking at the picture. Then flip the card to check pronunciation.
Step 3: Minimal pairs
Compare similar words to feel the difference:
- 사 (sa) vs. 싸 (ssa)
- 자 (ja) vs. 짜 (jja)
Practice repeating them side by side.
🚫 Common Mistakes
- Confusing ㅆ with ㅅ
- 싸다 (cheap) vs. 사다 (to buy) → completely different meanings.
- Pronouncing ㅉ like “ch”
- 짜다 is not cha-da, it’s jja-da.
- Adding too much length
- Keep the sound short and tense, not long and soft.
✍️ Writing ㅆ and ㅉ Correctly
- ㅆ looks like two ㅅ written side by side.
- ㅉ looks like two ㅈ stacked together.
📌 Writing tip:
Always follow the proper stroke order. For ㅆ, draw each ㅅ separately. For ㅉ, write the top ㅈ first, then the bottom.
🌟 Why ㅆ and ㅉ Matter
These sounds appear in many everyday words. Mixing them up can lead to funny or confusing mistakes.
Examples:
- 사다 (to buy) vs. 싸다 (cheap)
- 자다 (to sleep) vs. 짜다 (salty)
Learning them early will make your Korean sound much more natural.
✅ Quick Recap
- ㅆ → tense “ss” sound (쓰다, 싸다, 쏘다)
- ㅉ → tense “jj” sound (짜다, 쫓다, 찌개)
Keep them sharp, short, and tense.
📚 Coming Next
In Part 3, we’ll compare all tense, plain, and aspirated consonants side by side so you can really master the differences. This is where everything you’ve learned comes together.
Learn Korean Consonants (3) ㅅ (S) and ㅈ (J) – Easy Guide for Beginners
Learn Korean Vowels (4) 으, 이, 에, 애: A Beginner’s Guide to Hangul