Pronunciation Reference Sheet

Comparison of consonant letters

1. k, g, ㅋ, ㄱ

2. p, b, ㅍ, ㅂ

3. t, d, ㅌ, ㄷ

4. ch, j, ㅊ, ㅈ
 5. s, sh, ㅅ, ㅆ

6. ㅎ & H
The way these two sounds are produced is the same

7. m, n, o & ㅁ, ㄴ, ㅇ

Korean consonant Similar English consonant

ㅁ M
ㄴ N
ㅇ NG
Although there is slight difference in the position of the tongue for certain sounds, there is
no difference in how these consonant sounds are produced in Korean and English.
All the consonants in the table are voiced nasal sounds, and this means that the vibrating
air passes through the nose instead of the mouth as they are pronounced.

8. ㄹ
ㄹ in English has two different sounds, and this difference is dependent on what the letter
is followed by.
For example, in this word '노래' (song), ㄹ is between two vowel letters 'ㅗ' & 'ㅐ'. When
'ㄹ' is positioned between two vowels, the sound is similar to the 'r' sound in 'caro'
(expensive) in Spanish, and 'haru' (spring) in Japanese.
(Click the link to go to Naver dictionary and listen to the pronunciation)
Sound of 노래 (song)
Sound of 아래 (below)
Sound of 얼음 (ice)
It's important to note that L is very different from the English 'R' sound, so you shouldn't
pronounce ㄹ like the 'R' sound in English.
In all other positions, 'ㄹ' sounds like the 'clear L' sound in 'leg', 'lemon', and 'lens', so the
ㄹ in these words '라디오' (Radio), and 빨래 (laundry) all sound like the clear L.
(Click the link to go to Naver dictionary and listen to the pronunciation)
Sound of 라디오 (radio)
Sound of 빨래 (laundry)