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Korean learning
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Grammar
Review sentence patterns, particles, examples, and usage notes for this lesson.
matching sections
Compound vowels are created by combining two simple vowels.
Examples
ㅗ + ㅏ → ㅘ
ㅗ + ㅐ → ㅙ
ㅗ + ㅣ → ㅚ
ㅜ + ㅓ → ㅝ
ㅜ + ㅔ → ㅞ
ㅜ + ㅣ → ㅟ
ㅡ + ㅣ → ㅢ
Compound vowels are written as one vowel unit inside a syllable block.
Letters | Syllable |
|---|---|
ㄱ + ㅙ | 괘 |
ㄷ + ㅞ | 궤 |
ㅇ + ㅚ | 외 |
ㅅ + ㅟ | 쉬 |
Some compound vowels sound very similar in modern Korean.
Vowels | Note |
|---|---|
ㅐ / ㅔ | Usually pronounced almost the same by most native speakers. |
ㅒ / ㅖ | Also commonly pronounced the same in modern Korean. |
ㅚ / ㅙ / ㅞ | Often sound similar in everyday speech, though spelling remains important. |
Important: Even when pronunciation is similar, always learn the correct spelling.
왜 means "Why?"
왜 웃어요?
Why are you laughing?
Example audio
왜 공부해요?
Why do you study?
Example audio
위 means "on," "above," or "over."
책상 위에 책이 있습니다.
There is a book on the desk.
Example audio
의자 위에 가방이 있습니다.
There is a bag on the chair.
Example audio
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