Compound Vowels¶
Quick Reference
11 Compound Vowels formed by combining basic vowels:
| Vowel | Formation | Sound | Vowel | Formation | Sound |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ㅐ | ㅏ + ㅣ | ae (like 'a' in "cat") | ㅚ | ㅗ + ㅣ | oe (we/weh) |
| ㅒ | ㅑ + ㅣ | yae | ㅝ | ㅜ + ㅓ | weo (wo) |
| ㅔ | ㅓ + ㅣ | e (like 'e' in "bed") | ㅞ | ㅜ + ㅔ | we |
| ㅖ | ㅕ + ㅣ | ye | ㅟ | ㅜ + ㅣ | wi |
| ㅘ | ㅗ + ㅏ | wa | ㅢ | ㅡ + ㅣ | ui/eui |
| ㅙ | ㅗ + ㅐ | wae |
Detailed Explanation¶
Compound vowels (복합모음 or 이중모음) are formed by combining two basic vowels. While historically these represented diphthongs (two vowel sounds gliding together), in modern Korean many are pronounced as single vowel sounds.
Simple Compounds (단순 복합모음)¶
These are combinations that create a single vowel sound:
ㅐ - ae sound¶
- Formation: ㅏ + ㅣ (visually side by side)
- Historical sound: "a" + "i" diphthong
- Modern sound: Like 'a' in "cat" or 'e' in "bed"
- Note: In modern Seoul Korean, often indistinguishable from ㅔ
- Examples: 애기 (baby), 사과 → 개 (dog), 태양 (sun)
ㅒ - yae sound¶
- Formation: ㅑ + ㅣ
- Sound: 'y' + ㅐ sound
- Note: Less common than ㅐ
- Examples: 얘기 (story/talk), 걔 (that kid), 얘 (this kid)
ㅔ - e sound¶
- Formation: ㅓ + ㅣ (visually side by side)
- Historical sound: "eo" + "i" diphthong
- Modern sound: Like 'e' in "bed"
- Note: In modern Seoul Korean, often indistinguishable from ㅐ
- Examples: 에어컨 (air conditioner), 세계 (world), 네 (yes)
ㅖ - ye sound¶
- Formation: ㅕ + ㅣ
- Sound: 'y' + ㅔ sound
- Examples: 예 (yes/example), 예쁘다 (to be pretty), 계절 (season)
ㅐ vs ㅔ Pronunciation¶
Historical distinction: - ㅐ was pronounced with mouth more open (like 'a' in "cat") - ㅔ was pronounced with mouth less open (like 'e' in "bed")
Modern reality: - Most Korean speakers pronounce them identically as 'e' - Older speakers and some dialects maintain the distinction - In listening, context determines which is meant - In writing, you must memorize which spelling is correct
W-Vowels (와 계열)¶
These start with a 'w' sound from combining with ㅗ or ㅜ:
ㅘ - wa sound¶
- Formation: ㅗ + ㅏ
- Sound: Like 'wa' in "wander"
- Examples: 과자 (snack), 왕 (king), 과일 (fruit)
ㅙ - wae sound¶
- Formation: ㅗ + ㅐ (or ㅗ + ㅏ + ㅣ)
- Sound: 'w' + ㅐ sound
- Note: Less common
- Examples: 왜 (why), 돼지 (pig), 왜곡 (distortion)
ㅚ - oe/we sound¶
- Formation: ㅗ + ㅣ
- Historical sound: Pure 'ö' sound (like German ö)
- Modern sound: Often pronounced like 'we' or 'weh'
- Regional variation: Some speakers pronounce as ㅞ (we), others as single vowel
- Examples: 외국 (foreign country), 되다 (to become), 회사 (company)
ㅝ - weo sound¶
- Formation: ㅜ + ㅓ
- Sound: Like 'wo' in "won't"
- Examples: 원 (won/circle), 월 (month), 워 (whoa - interjection)
ㅞ - we sound¶
- Formation: ㅜ + ㅔ (or ㅜ + ㅓ + ㅣ)
- Sound: 'w' + ㅔ sound
- Note: Rare in common words
- Examples: 웨딩 (wedding), 스웨터 (sweater), 웨이터 (waiter)
ㅟ - wi sound¶
- Formation: ㅜ + ㅣ
- Historical sound: Pure 'ü' sound (like German ü)
- Modern sound: Often pronounced like ㅣ (just "ee")
- Examples: 위 (top/above/stomach), 쥐 (mouse), 귀 (ear)
Special Case: ㅢ¶
ㅢ - ui/eui sound¶
- Formation: ㅡ + ㅣ
- Complexity: Three different pronunciations depending on position!
Position rules:
| Position | Pronunciation | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| First syllable | [ui] or [ɯi] | 의사 [ui-sa] | doctor |
| After consonant | [i] | 희망 [hi-mang] | hope |
| Possessive particle | [e] | 나의 [na-e] | my/mine |
Additional examples: - 의미 (meaning) - [ui-mi] - 주의 (caution) - [ju-i] - 우리의 (our) - [u-ri-e] - 희다 (to be white) - [hi-da]
This is the most complex vowel in Korean pronunciation!
Syllable Formation with Compound Vowels¶
Vertical Compounds (ㅐ, ㅒ, ㅔ, ㅖ, ㅢ)¶
Written to the right of the consonant:
| Syllable | Breakdown | Example Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 개 | ㄱ + ㅐ | 개 | dog |
| 얘 | ㅇ + ㅒ | 얘기 | story |
| 세 | ㅅ + ㅔ | 세계 | world |
| 예 | ㅇ + ㅖ | 예쁘다 | to be pretty |
| 의 | ㅇ + ㅢ | 의사 | doctor |
Complex Compounds (ㅘ, ㅙ, ㅚ, ㅝ, ㅞ, ㅟ)¶
Written below the consonant (occupy more space):
| Syllable | Breakdown | Example Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 과 | ㄱ + ㅘ | 과일 | fruit |
| 왜 | ㅇ + ㅙ | 왜 | why |
| 외 | ㅇ + ㅚ | 외국 | foreign country |
| 원 | ㅇ + ㅝ + ㄴ | 원 | won/circle |
| 웨 | ㅇ + ㅞ | 웨딩 | wedding |
| 위 | ㅇ + ㅟ | 위 | top/above |
Common Words with Compound Vowels¶
With ㅐ/ㅔ¶
| Word | Meaning | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 개 | dog | 네 | yes |
| 새 | bird/new | 세 | three |
| 내 | my | 네 | you |
| 매우 | very | 제일 | most/best |
| 배 | ship/stomach/pear | 세계 | world |
With W-vowels¶
| Word | Meaning | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 왜 | why | 외국 | foreign country |
| 과일 | fruit | 원 | won/circle |
| 돼지 | pig | 위 | top/above |
| 왕 | king | 귀 | ear |
| 과자 | snack | 되다 | to become |
With ㅢ¶
| Word | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 의사 | doctor | Pronounced [ui-sa] |
| 의미 | meaning | Pronounced [ui-mi] |
| 회의 | meeting | Second ㅢ pronounced [i] |
| 나의 | my | Pronounced [na-e] |
| 희망 | hope | Pronounced [hi-mang] |
Memory Tips¶
Visual Grouping¶
Think of compound vowels as combinations:
ㅣ-based (add ㅣ to basic vowel): - ㅏ + ㅣ = ㅐ - ㅓ + ㅣ = ㅔ - ㅗ + ㅣ = ㅚ - ㅜ + ㅣ = ㅟ - ㅡ + ㅣ = ㅢ
W-based (combine ㅗ or ㅜ with another vowel): - ㅗ + ㅏ = ㅘ - ㅗ + ㅐ = ㅙ - ㅜ + ㅓ = ㅝ - ㅜ + ㅔ = ㅞ
Y-versions (add y-sound): - ㅐ → ㅒ (yae) - ㅔ → ㅖ (ye)
Practice¶
- What is the difference between ㅐ and ㅔ in modern Korean pronunciation?
- Write the syllable: ㄱ + ㅘ + ㄴ = ?
- How is ㅢ pronounced when it's the possessive particle 의?
- Which compound vowel appears in 왜 (why)?
- What two vowels combine to make ㅟ?
- Write the syllable: ㅅ + ㅙ = ?
- Which compound vowel is in 외국 (foreign country)?
- How many compound vowels are there in total?
- What does ㅘ sound like?
- Write the word for "dog" in Hangul.
Show Answers
1. In modern Korean, most speakers pronounce them identically as 'e' (like in "bed"), though historically ㅐ was more open 2. 관 (like in 관심 - interest) 3. As [e], so 나의 is pronounced [na-e] 4. ㅙ (wae) 5. ㅜ + ㅣ 6. 쇄 (like in 쇄도 - rush/flood) 7. ㅚ (oe/we) 8. 11 compound vowels 9. "wa" (like in "wander") 10. 개 (ㄱ + ㅐ)Next Steps¶
Continue to Double Consonants to learn about tense consonant sounds!