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Hangul
KOREAN ALPHABET

WRITTEN BY: The Editors of Encyclopaedia

Britannica
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Alternative Titles: Chosŏn muntcha, Han’gŭl,

Hangeul, Hunminjŏngŭm, Hunminjeongeum,
Korean alphabet

Hangul, (Korean: “Great Script”)also spelled

Hangeul or Han’gŭl, alphabetic system
used for writing the Korean language. The
system, known as Chosŏn muntcha in
North Korea, consists of 24 letters
(originally 28), including 14 consonants and
10 vowels. The consonant characters are
formed with curved or angled lines. The
vowels are composed of vertical or
horizontal straight lines together with
short lines on either side of the main line.

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Hangul
Hangul, the Korean alphabet, depicted with
pronunciation guide.
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Hangul
QUICK FACTS

KEY PEOPLE

Sejong

RELATED TOPICS

Alphabet
Korean language

The development of the Hangul alphabet

is traditionally ascribed to Sejong, fourth
king of the Chosŏn (Yi) dynasty; the system
was made the official writing system for
the Korean language in 1446 by one of
Sejong’s decrees. The script was generally
known until the 20th century by the name
Sejong gave it, Hunminjŏngŭm
(Hunminjeongeum; loosely translated,
“Proper Sounds to Instruct the People”).
Because of the influence of Confucianism
and of Chinese culture, Hangul was not
used by scholars or Koreans of the upper
classes until after 1945.

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Statue of 15th-century Korean monarch Sejong

the Great, Yŏŭi (Yeoui) Island, Seoul.
Camille Harang

READ MORE ON THIS TOPIC

writing: Korean writing

…writing was the invention of Hangul
by King Sejong in 1446. It is a featural
script…

This article was most recently revised and

updated by Michael Ray, Associate Editor.

LEARN MORE in these related

Britannica articles:

writing: Korean writing

…writing was the invention of

Hangul by King Sejong in…

South Korea: Languages

…known in South Korea as

Hangul (Han’gŭl) and in Nort…

writing: Types of writing

systems

…in part are the Korean

Hangul script, created,…

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