yeo
ㅛ yo
ㅠ yu
ㅒ yae
ㅖ ye
ㅘ wa
ㅙ wae
ㅝ wo
ㅞ we
ㅢ ui
ㅚ oe
ㅟ wi
| English | Korean | Approximate in English |
| a (ah) | ㅏ | as in “father” |
| eo (er) | ㅓ | as in “box” or “cut” (halfway between the two) |
| o (aw) | ㅗ | as in “fall” |
| u (oo) | ㅜ | as in “boo” |
| eu (oh) | ㅡ | as in “taken” |
| i (ee) | ㅣ | as in “see” |
| ae (a) | ㅐ | as in “tad” (often becomes more like the ay in “way”) |
| e (e) | ㅔ | as in “beg” |
| oe (we) | ㅚ | as in “welcome” |
| ya (yah) | ㅑ | as in “yarn” |
| yeo (yaw) | ㅕ | as in “yonder” |
| yo (yo) | ㅛ | as in “yogurt” (said with a slight pull) |
| yu (yu) | ㅠ | as in “yule” (said with a slight pull) |
| yae (ya) | ㅒ | as in “yak” |
| ye (ye) | ㅖ | as in “yes” |
| wa (wah) | ㅘ | as in “watch” |
| wae (wa) | ㅙ | as in “way” |
| wo (wo) | ㅝ | as in “wonderful” |
| wi (wi) | ㅟ | as in the “weed” |
| ui (ooe) | ㅢ | this is a combination of 2 sounds -u as in “pull” followed by ee as in “see.” It’s kind of like ‘oui’ in French. |
The Korean writing system, Han-geul (한글) demands that any written syllable must begin with a consonant. This means that even when a syllable begins with a vowel sound (the syllable contains no spoken consonants) you have to start the syllable with the consonant ㅇ, which has no sound.
1 What’s Up?
POLITE GREETINGS
How are you?
annyeonghaseyo?
ahn-nyawng-hah-seyo?
안녕하세요?
I’m fine, thanks. And you?
ne, annyeonghaseyo?
ne, ahn-nyawng-hah-seyo?
네, 안녕하세요?
Annyeonghaseyo? 안녕하세요? is a greeting that asks about the other person’s well-being or good health. This expression can be used at any time of the day as “Good morning,” “Good afternoon,” “Good evening,” “Hi,” “Hello,” or “How’s it going?” The common response is simply ne, annyeonghaseyo? 네, 안녕하세요?.
How do you do?
cheo-eum boep-kketsseumnida.
chuh-um bwep-kke-sseumnee-dah.
처음 뵙겠습니다.
What’s new?
byeollil eop-jjiyo?
byulleel up-jyo?
별일 없지요?
—Nothing much.
geujeo geuraeyo.
geu-juh geu-rayo.
그저 그래요.
—Things are hard.
jom himdeureoyo.
chohm him-deul-uhyo.
좀 힘들어요.
—Things are busy.
jom bappayo.
chohm bah-ppah-yo.
좀 바빠요.
How have you been?
yojeum eotteoke jinaeseyo?
yo-johm uh-ttoh-kay jeenehsay-yo?
요즘 어떻게 지내세요?
—I’ve been fine, thanks.
jal jinaeyo.
chahl jeenayo.
잘 지내요.
CASUAL GREETINGS BETWEEN CLOSE FRIENDS
How are you doing?
jal isseosseo?
chahl iss-uss-oh?
잘 있었어?
Yo, what’s up?
ya, jal isseonnya?
yah, chahl iss-uht-nyah?
야, 잘 있었냐?
Dude, what’s up?
saekki, jal isseonnya?*
sakkee, chahl iss-uht-nyah?
새끼, 잘 있었냐?
jasik, jal isseonnya?*
jah-sheek, chahl iss-uht-nyah?
자식, 잘 있었냐?
*Saekki “baby animal” and jasik “human baby” are used in Korean slang the way “asshole” is used in American English. When said to one’s closest friends, they can be expressions of affection—but handle with care.
How’ve you been?
eotteoke jinaesseo?
uh-toh-kay jiness-uh?
어떻게 지냈어?
—I’m fine.
jal isseosseo.
chahl jinessuh.
잘 있었어.
Have you been doing OK?
jal
