Building syllable blocks

Korean is written in blocks, one block per syllable. Every block starts with a consonant, and the vowel goes either to its right or underneath it.

Tall vowels (ㅏ ㅓ ㅣ) go on the right. Flat vowels (ㅗ ㅜ ㅡ) go underneath. If a syllable starts with a vowel sound, the silent ㅇ takes the consonant's place.

Tap each block to hear it

Read your first words

You already know every letter in these words. Try reading each one before you look at the romanization.

• 이마ima · forehead 🔊
• 지도jido · map 🔊
• 버스beoseu · bus 🔊
• 소주soju · soju 🔊
• 저기jeogi · over there 🔊
• 사자saja · lion 🔊
• 고구마goguma · sweet potato 🔊
• 하마hama · hippo 🔊

Quick quiz

Want to practice more? Try typing in Korean.