Kindergarten - Level K-1
Lesson 4: Compound Vowels (Diphthongs)
Mixing and Matching Vowels
You've learned all the individual Hangul letters! Now for the final step: combining basic vowels to create new sounds called diphthongs or compound vowels.
Think of it like mixing colors. You already have blue (ㅗ) and yellow (ㅏ). If you mix them, you get green (ㅘ)! It's the same idea with sounds.
The "Y" Vowels
This is the easiest group. Just add an extra short stroke to the basic vowels you already know to add a "y" sound at the beginning.
(like in yard)
(like in yum)
(like yoga)
(like you)
(like in yak)
(like in yes)
The "W" Vowels & Others
These are made by literally combining two basic vowels into one block. Look closely and you'll see the original shapes!
(ㅗ+ㅏ)
(ㅜ+ㅓ)
(ㅗ+ㅐ)
(ㅜ+ㅔ)
(like 'weh')
(like 'we')
(eu+i)
You've Learned All the Letters!
Congratulations! You now know every single letter in the Korean alphabet. From the basic building blocks to these complex combinations, you have the full toolset to read any word.
It's a huge achievement! Try reading these common words that use compound vowels:
사과 (sagwa - apple), 의사 (uisa - doctor), 왜 (wae - why?), 회사 (hoesa - company).