How to read Hangeul - Pronunciation change (Batchim)

 

The pronunciation change for today is called Nasalisation (=비음화, bieumhwa), a key form of consonant assimilation (=자음동화, ja-eum donghwa) in Korean phonology.

It happens when a non-nasal stop consonant in the batchim position is followed by a nasal consonant. The stop consonant changes its pronunciation to its corresponding nasal counterpart to make the transition smoother.  

 

👍 The rule of Nasalisation

The rule follows the concept of 'reverse assimilation,' where the nasal sound in the following syllable influences and changes the sound of the preceding batchim consonant. 

👄 The principle: Matching the place of articulation

The batchim changes into a nasal sound that is produced at the same place of articulation as the original stop consonant.

1) ㄱ (ㄱ, ㄲ, ㅋ, ㄳ, ㄺ) + ㄴ or ㄹ or ㅁ

Both [ㄱ] and [ㅇ] are made at the Velar (soft palate) position, making the transition to the nasal sound seamless. 

Place of articulation: Back of the mouth 

ㄱ ->  [ㅇ]

Example, 국물[궁물], 먹는[멍는]

 

2) ㄷ (ㄷ, ㅌ, ㅅ, ㅆ, ㅈ, ㅊ, ㅎ) + ㄴ or ㄹ or ㅁ

Both [ㄷ] and [ㄴ] are made at the Alveolar (gums) position. 

Place of articulation: Behind the teeth 

ㄷ -> [ㄴ] 

Example, 닫는[단는], 옛날[옌날] 

 

3) ㅂ (ㅂ, ㅍ, ㄼ, ㅄ)  + ㄴ or ㄹ or ㅁ

Both [ㅂ] and [ㅁ] are made at the Bilabial (two lips) position. 

Place of articulation: Both lips 

ㅂ -> [ㅁ] 

Example, 밥물[밤물], 입니다[임니다]

 

Thank you.

Please practice a lot!

See you next time! 

 

How to read Hangeul - Batchim

 

Batchim (받침)

In Korean, Batchim refers to the final consonant in a syllable block. It is placed at the bottom of the syllable and affects pronunciation rules.

👉 Examples,

강: Batchim is ㅇ

밥: Batchim is ㅂ 

Batchim is not an essential part, but more than half words have Batchim. Also, Batchim is one of the most important thing. 

👉 Examples: 박, 밖, 반, 밤, 발, 밭, 밥, 방

They are all existing words which have their own meaning.

 

1. Basic Batchim 

There are 7 basic sounds for Batchim, even though there are more letters that can appear in the final position.

1) [k]: ㄱ, ㅋ, ㄲ → ㄱ

Pronounced as a soft [k] sound

If you can, please remember as [ㄱ]  sound

2) [n]: ㄴ → ㄴ

Clear [n] sound

3) [t]: ㄷ, ㅅ, ㅆ, ㅈ, ㅊ, ㅌ, ㅎ → ㄷ

All pronounced as [t] sound at the end

If you can, please remember as [ㄷ] sound

4) [l]: ㄹ → ㄹ

Pronounced like [l] in English 

5) [m]: ㅁ → ㅁ

Clear [m] sound 

6) [p]: ㅂ, ㅍ → ㅂ

Pronounced as [p] sound

If you can, please remember as [ㅂ] sound 

7) [ng]: ㅇ → ㅇ

Pronounced as [ng] sound

Send the air to your nose when you say it

 

2. Double Batchim (겹받침)

Some syllables have two Batchim (final consonants) at the bottom.

👉 Example: 읽다, 앉다 

1) ㄱ + ㅅ → ㄳ : 몫

2) ㄴ + ㅈ → ㄵ : 앉다

3) ㄴ + ㅎ → ㄶ : 많다

4) ㄹ + ㄱ → ㄺ : 읽다

5) ㄹ + ㅁ → ㄻ : 삶

6) ㄹ + ㅂ → ㄼ : 짧다

7) ㄹ + ㅅ → ㄽ : 외곬

8) ㄹ + ㅌ → ㄾ : 핥다

9) ㄹ + ㅍ → ㄿ : 읊다 

10) ㄹ + ㅎ→ ㅀ : 싫다

11) ㅂ + ㅅ→ ㅄ : 값

These are important for pronunciation and grammar, and they follow specific rules. 

 

1)  When you can read both sounds, say it all pronunciation. Especially, when followed by a vowel, the second consonant may carry over. 

👉 Example,

앉아서 [안자서]

몫이 [목시] 

읽고 [일꼬]

 

2) Only one consonant is usually pronounced, following the next order.

ㄱ>ㄴ>ㄷ>ㄹ>ㅁ>ㅂ>ㅅ>ㅇ>ㅈ>ㅊ>ㅌ>ㅍ>ㅎ

👉 Example,

앉다 [안따]

값진 [갑찐]

읽지만 [익찌만] 

 

3) Third rule is exceptions to the general pattern. They are especially important for correct pronunciation and spelling in Korean.

3-1) ㄻ: Do not follow rule No. 2. Pronounced as [ㅁ]

👉 삶다 [삼따], 젊다 [점따] 

3-2) ㄼ: It depends on the word. You should check the dictionary whenever you see a new word.

👉 짧다 [짤따], 밟다 [밥따] 

3-3) ㄿ: Do not follow rule No. 2. Pronounced as [ㅂ]

👉 읊다 [읍따]

 

👀 If you remember these three rules, you can read any double Batchim!