Compound Vowels
Compound vowels are combinations of two or more basic vowels. There are 11 of them. If you remember all the basic vowel sounds, it wouldn't be too challenging to make these letters.
When you write them, make sure the lines are not cross over each other.
Also, try to listen and repeat each of the letters as you learn. Follow the contents one by one to master your Korean compound vowels!
Quick Chart
Walk Through
Compound Vowels Set1:ㅐ ㅒ ㅔ ㅖ
I'll show you four compound vowels first. They are a good set to practice together. Please see each vowel and the syllables with the no-sound letter "ㅇ".
ㅐ
애
ae
ㅐ is a combination of ㅏ and ㅣ. 애 sounds /ae/ like "get." It looks like a long English letter "H," doesn't it?
ㅒ
얘
yae
ㅒ is a combination of ㅑ and ㅣ. So, you can follow the writing orders of each letter as well. 얘 sounds /yae/ like "yes."
ㅔ
에
e
ㅔ is a combination word of ㅓ and ㅣ. 에 sounds /e/ like "pet." Historically, the pronunciations of ㅐ and ㅔ were different. You were supposed to open your mouth smaller for ㅔ than ㅐ. However, these days people don't distinguish them anymore. People pronounce them just the same.
However, writing is another matter. For example, 개(gae) and 게(ge) can be said the same, but 개 means a dog and 게 means a crab. It just happened to be like this, so there are no rules. You just have to memorize them. In a conversation, you have to find out the actual meaning from a context.
ㅖ
예
ye
ㅖ is a combination word of ㅕ andㅣ. So, the writing orders are also the same. 예 sounds /ye/ like "yell." Like ㅐ and ㅔ, ㅒ and ㅖ have the same sound now too. Don't forget to memorize the words with extra care!
Compound Vowels Set2: ㅢ, ㅘ, ㅝ, ㅟ
I'll show you another good set to study together. These vowels are the ones that easily can be made and pronounced by combining two basic vowels. See what vowels are combined for each one and try to follow instructions to pronounce them.
ㅢ
의
ui
"ㅢ" is romanized as "ui" but it is a vowel that hard to find in English. ㅢ is a combination of ㅡ and ㅣ. So, try to say "ㅡ" and "ㅣ" in order many times. Say slowly first but get faster each time. You will make "의" by saying these vowels quickly enough.
When you write, ㅡ and ㅣcan have a slight gap between them, but it's a matter of a font. Some people write two attached lines. As long as you don't write them like a cross, it is okay.
ㅘ
와
wa
와 has a /wa/ sound like "wow". It is made of ㅗ and ㅏ, so if you say these two letters quickly enough, you can pronounce the ㅘ sound. When you write ㅗ an ㅏ can have a little bit of a gap or not between the letters. Make sure the lines not to stick out to each other like a cross!
ㅝ
워
wo
워 has the sound "wo" like "wonder". It is made of ㅜ and ㅓ, so if you say two vowels quickly enough together, you will be able to hear it. One thing you should mind, the small line of ㅓ needs to go under ㅜ. So, pay attention to step 3, when you write.
ㅟ
위
wi
위 sounds "wi" like "window." It is a set of ㅜ and ㅣ. So, if you say them quickly enough in order you will be able to pronounce ㅟ. When you write, ㅜ and ㅣ can have a slight gap or you can attach them. Make sure ㅜ doesn't go over of ㅣ.
Compound Vowels Set3: ㅚ ㅙ ㅞ
Here is another good set to study together! The vowels I'll show you here have the same sound. Just like ㅐ and ㅔ, they were supposed to be slightly different from each other a long time ago. However, these days people say the same.
ㅚ
외
wae
외 sounds "wae" like "west." ㅚ is a combination of ㅗ(o) and ㅣ(ee). However, ㅚ sounds not close to saying ㅗ and ㅣ quickly like the other letters above. When you write, write ㅣ a slightly little longer than ㅗ. Have you ever heard the Korean family name "Choi?" It is actually 최 [chwae] not [cho-ee]!
ㅙ
왜
wae
왜 sounds "wae" like "way". ㅙ is a combination of ㅗ(o) and ㅐ(ae). If you say two vowels ㅗ and ㅐ quickly, you will get this sound.
ㅞ
웨
wae
웨 sounds "we(wae)" like "west." ㅞ is a combination of ㅜ(u) and ㅔ(e). Try to say them quickly together. There are lots of straight lines in this one but don't worry. Try to write them one by one following the order and yet still keep them all in one same-size invisible square like you write other syllables.
Compound Vowels Video
Here is the one-stop compound vowel practice video. Try to listen and repeat after it. Also, follow the writing orders as you practice writing.
Quiz
Worksheets
If you want to practice writing or a chart with or without pronunciation help, etc., Please click the files below to get extra help! I hope these free printable PDF worksheets can help your Korean learning!