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All Koreans speak and write the same language, which has been a decisive factor in forging their strong national identity. Koreans have developed several different dialects in addition to the standard used in Seoul. However, the dialects, except for that of Jeju-do province, are similar enough for native speakers to understand without any difficulties.
Koreans have developed and use a unique alphabet called Hangeul. It is considered to be one of the most efficient alphabets in the world and has garnered unanimous praise from language experts for its scientific design and excellence.
Hangeul was created under King Sejong during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). In 1446, the first Korean alphabet was proclaimed under the name Hunminjeongeum, which literally meant "the Correct Sounds for the Instruction of the People."
When first proclaimed by King Sejong, Hunminjeongeum had 28 letters in all, of which only 24 are in use today. The 24 letters are as follows.
Consonants:
Bowels:
The basic letters of the alphabet when Hunminjeongeum was first created numbered eight; they were the consonants " ㄱ,ㄴ,ㅁ,ㅅ, ㅇ," and the vowels " .,ㅡ ,ㅣ "
The reason consonants and vowels were separated was due to their differing functions when two letters were combined to form a syllable. Hunminjeongeum is basically a type of hieroglyph. Consonants, the initial sound letters, resemble a person's speech organs. The shape of each letter is based on the form of different sound articulation units.
" ㄱ (giyeok )" : To pronounce this letter, part of the tongue touches the molar teeth and sticks near the uvula. The shape of the letter is based on the lateral form of this process. |
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" ㄴ (nieun) " : To pronounce this letter, the front of the tongue curves and the tip of the tongue sticks to the upper gums. The shape of the letter is based on the lateral form of this process. |
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" ㅁ (mieum )" : To pronounce this letter, the upper and lower lips are joined. The shape of the letter is based on the form of the joined lips. |
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" ㅅ (siot) " : To pronounce this letter, the tip of the tongue and the upper teeth are brought close together, and sound is created by blowing through the narrowed passage. The shape of the letter is based on the form of the teeth during the process. |
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" ㅇ (ieung) " : To pronounce this letter that is created by stimulating the uvula, the throat assumes a round shape, hence the form of the consonant. Nine additional letters were made by adding additional strokes to the five basic consonants based on the strength of the sounds, as follows. |
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However, '  ' is no longer used.
The vowels, on the other hand, were created in the image of the sky, land, and man. That is, " . " resembles the roundness of the sky, 'ㅡ ' represents the flat land and ' ㅣ' is the image of a standing man. The other vowels " ㅏ(a), ㅑ(ya), ㅓ(eo), ㅕ(yeo), ㅗ(o), ㅛ(yo), ㅜ(u), ㅠ(yu)" are variations of their three basic vowels. " . " is not used today.
The creation of the Hunminjeongeum was a remarkable accomplishment. Creating consonants based on a person's speech organs and vowels based on the shapes of the sky, land, and man was truly a revolutionary and unprecedented process.
A Korean syllable is divided into three parts: choseong (initial consonant), jungseong (vowel), and jongseong (final consonant). This is the basic framework that King Sejong and the Jiphyeonjeon scholars adhered to when creating the letters. Jongseong was not separately created and was a repetition of the choseong. Therefore, Hangeul is capable of creating thousands of words by combining the consonants and vowels.
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| Yes |
예 |
Ne |
| No |
아닙니다, 아니요 |
A-nim-ni-da , A-ni-yo |
| Thank you |
감사합니다. |
Kam-sa-ham-ni-da |
| Thank you very much |
대단히 감사합니다. |
Te-dan-hi Kam-sa-ham-ni-da. |
| You're welcome |
천만의 말씀입니다. |
Chon-man-e Mal-sum-im-ni-da |
| Please |
부디, 제발 |
Pu-di, Che-bal |
| I'm sorry |
최송합니다. |
Che-song-ham-ni-da |
| Hello |
안녕하세요. |
An-nyong Ha-se-yo |
| Goodbye |
안녕히 가십시오. |
An-nyong-hi Ka-ship-sio |
| Good morning |
안녕하십니까. |
An-nyong Ha-shim-ni-ka |
| Good afternoon |
안녕하십니까. |
An-nyong Ha-shim-ni-ka |
| Good evening |
안녕하십니까. |
An-nyong Ha-shim-ni-ka |
| Good night |
안녕히 주무십시오. |
An-nyong-hi Chu-mu-ship-sio |
| I do not understand |
잘 모르겠습니다. |
Chal Mo-ru-ge-sum-ni-da |
How do you say this
in [English]? |
이것을 영어로 뭐라고 합니까?
???? |
I-go-sul [Yong-o-ro]
Mo-ra-go-ham-ni-ka? |
| What is your name? |
당신 이름은 무엇입니까? |
Tang-shin Iru-mun Muwo-shim-ni-ka? |
| Nice to meet you. |
만나서 반갑습니다. |
Man-na-so Pan-kap-sum-ni-da |
| How are you? |
어떻게 지내고 계십니까? |
Otoke Chi-ne-go-ke-shim-ni-ka? |
| Good |
좋습니다. |
Cho-sum-ni-da |
| Bad |
싫습니다. |
Shil-sum-ni-da |
| So so |
그저 그렇습니다. |
Ku-jo ku-ro-sum-ni-da |
| Excuse me |
실례합니다. |
Shile-ham-ni-da |
| Where is ~~~ |
~~~ 어디에 있습니까? |
~~~O-die-i-sum-ni-ka? |
Where is the bathroom?
Where is the toilet? |
화장실이 어디에 있습니까? |
Hwa-jang-sil-i O-die Isum-ni-ka? |
| It's ok./fine. |
괜찮습니다. |
Kwaen-chan-sum-ni-da. |
| Wife |
아내, 처 |
A-ne, Cho |
| Husband |
남편 |
Nam-pyon |
| Daughter |
딸 |
Tal |
| Son |
아들 |
Adul |
| Mother |
어머니 |
O-mo-ni |
| Father |
아버지 |
A-bo-ji |
| Friend |
친구 |
Chin-gu |
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