Basic Vowels
기본 모음Korean has 10 basic vowels. Each is written with a vertical or horizontal stroke. Tap the speaker icon to hear its sound.
아a"ah"অ
야ya"ya"য়া
어eo"uh"এ
여yeo"yuh"য়ে
오o"oh"অ
요yo"yo"য়
우u"oo"উ
유yu"you"য়ু
으eu"uh" (lips flat)
이i"ee"ই
Compound Vowels
이중 모음Compound vowels are formed by combining two basic vowels. Many sound similar — listening carefully is the best way to tell them apart.
애ae"eh"
에e"eh"
의ui"eui" (unique)
와wa"wa"ৱা
워wo"wuh"
왜wae"weh"
웨we"weh"
위wi"wee"
외oe"weh"
얘yae"yeh"
예ye"yeh"
✦ Quick Tips
- Vertical vowels (ㅏ ㅓ ㅣ…) sit on the right side of a consonant.
- Horizontal vowels (ㅗ ㅜ ㅡ…) sit below a consonant.
- ㅇ is silent at the start of a syllable — used as a placeholder when a syllable begins with a pure vowel sound.
- Start with the four cardinal vowels: 아 (a) · 오 (o) · 우 (u) · 이 (i).