Syllables

In the Korean language, words are formed from syllables, but the way that syllables are formed differs considerably from that of the Western languages. There are several main rules that should be remembered:

1. Syllables are divided into two types: open (when a syllable ends in a vowel) and closed (when a syllable ends in a consonant).
2. Each syllable is written as though it were in a square box.
3. There are special rules governing the placement of letters in this square box. These rules are listed below.

Rules for the placement of letters

1. If the main element of the vowel is a vertical line, the consonant is written on the left side of the vowel.

   C

   V

   Examples: 나 [na], 며[myo], 지 [ji].

2. If the main element of the vowel is a horizontal line, the consonant is written over the vowel.

   C

   V

   Examples: 구 [ku], 흐 [heu], 뉴[nyu]

3. In closed syllables, the final consonant is always written under the vowel.

   C	V
   C

   Or

   C

   V

   C

   Examples: 남 [nam], 빗 [pit], 들 [teul], 문[mun]

4. If a syllable ends with two consonants, they are both written under the vowel:

   C
   V
   C	C

   Or

   C	V
   C	C

   Examples: 흙 [heuk], 삶 [sam], 닭 [tak].

See Also:

• Korean Script and Sounds
• Consonants
• Vowels
• Transliteration Systems
• Reading Rules
• Stress
• About the Korean Language