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Start reading Korean,
one block at a time.
Explore a chart of 19 consonant and 21 vowel letters, build syllable blocks and practise everyday words. Four interactive activities and illustrated practice notes help you start. Reading fluently takes continued practice.
Start with the alphabet →Your path
0 / 4 lessons stamped
- 1 The Hangul alphabetAll 40 letters on one chart. Tap to hear each one and see a word that uses it.15 min 참 잘했어요
- 2 Build syllablesPick a consonant and a vowel and watch them snap into one block.10 min 참 잘했어요
- 3 Read real KoreanCafe menus, subway signs and food names you can already half-read.15 min 참 잘했어요
- 4 Practice quizTen quick questions on sounds, syllables and words. Score 8 to earn the stamp.5 min 참 잘했어요
Learn it, build it, use it
Hangul is the writing system; Korean is the language. Start with letters, then combine them into blocks, read words and try a short greeting. These practice notes bring our foundation lessons together in one place. Repeat each step at your own pace.
1. Notice five tense consonants
A doubled-looking shape is one consonant letter in a block. This activity uses them at the start; ㄲ and ㅆ can also appear as batchim. “Tense” does not mean simply shouting, lengthening the sound or saying it twice.
Compare the written families: 가 / 카 / 까 · 다 / 타 / 따 · 바 / 파 / 빠 · 자 / 차 / 짜 · 사 / 싸. Notice the spelling, then practise with Korean audio. A visual task alone cannot check pronunciation.
2. Group the additional vowel shapes
These are eleven additional written vowel forms. That learning group does not mean they are all pronounced as diphthongs. A block beginning with a vowel sound still needs an initial letter: silent ㅇ + ㅏ → 아.
Try ㅇ + ㅘ and ㄱ + ㅘ. Answers: 와 · 과. Each is one block. 와 is not the two blocks 오아.
3. Find batchim at the bottom
A final consonant sits at the bottom of the same block. Do not add a vowel to turn it into another syllable. The seven representative final-sound categories are ㄱ ㄴ ㄷ ㄹ ㅁ ㅂ ㅇ, not the complete list of final spellings.
Spelling and connected pronunciation differ. 옷 alone is pronounced [옫], while 옷이 is [오시]. The spelling 옷 remains unchanged.
Find the final in 밥. Answer: the lower ㅂ. The initial is also ㅂ, but its position is different.
4. Read your first picture words
Read the blocks together as one word: 나무, not 나 무. In 우유, initial ㅇ adds no consonant sound; notice the extra stroke in ㅠ. Cover the labels, match each picture to its word and write it from memory. Uncover and check each block.
5. Say hello and introduce yourself politely
저는 샘이에요.Hello. I’m Sam.
저는 미나예요.Hello. I’m Mina.
These are fictional speakers. For this simple introduction, use 이에요 after a name ending in a consonant and 예요 after a name ending in a vowel. 샘 has final ㅁ; 미나 ends in a vowel. Leave a space after 저는 and attach the ending to the name. Do not use 이예요 for this pattern.
If your name is normally written in another writing system, use an established Hangul spelling or ask a Korean teacher to help. This is one polite greeting pattern, not a complete guide to every social situation.
Choose the usual contracted form: 미나이에요 or 미나예요? Answer: 미나예요.
6. Choose what to practise next
Use the practice quiz to revisit sounds, blocks and words. A stamp is a progress marker, not a language qualification. Continue with listening, everyday phrases and short connected text; revisit letters whenever spelling is uncertain.
Our longer lesson map separates available foundation lessons from future study paths. It does not award TOPIK, CEFR or Sejong credit. Use the official course resources linked from that map when you want structured study beyond this foundation.
Official references · checked November 9, 2026: National Institute of Korean Language: consonants and vowels; 이에요 and 예요 spelling guidance. The linked full lessons contain additional official references and exercises. Audio buttons use device speech, not a pronunciation assessment.
Why Hangul is easier than it looks
Hangul was created under King Sejong in the 15th century. Its organised letter and block system gives beginners a useful place to start.
The basic consonant shapes reflect speech-organ positions. Learn the written contrasts alongside reliable Korean audio.
Letters combine into syllable blocks. Learn the positions first, then practise final consonants and pronunciation changes in connected words.