Korean Pronunciation: [ㄷ] + ㄴ, ㅎ + ㅈ and [ㄷ] + ㅁ
Proper pronunciation is a vital skill you need to master and in our previous article we’ve introduced 3 Korean pronunciation rules. In this post we are going to expand on those rules with 3 more. These rules are: [ㄷ] + ㄴ, ㅎ + ㅈ and [ㄷ] + ㅁ. Let’s get started
Before we start, however, I believe we need to agree on a few conventions to make sure everyone understands what is written. When something is written between square brackets, it represents the pronunciation of the word; not its spelling. Letter between square brackets as well represent a pronunciation not a spelling. Keep that in mind when reading the articles on Korean pronunciation rules.
Korean Pronunciation Rule: [ㄷ] + ㄴ > [ㄴ] + ㄴ
The first rule we are going to explore is: [ㄷ] + ㄴ > [ㄴ] + ㄴ. The rule is fairly easy, but essential. When a syllable starting with ㄴ follows such a [ㄷ] batchim syllable, the [ㄷ] is pronounced as [ㄴ] instead. Like a rule in the previous pronunciation rule post, this rule applies to all syllables with a batchim that is pronounced as [ㄷ].
When a syllable starting with ㄴ follows such a [ㄷ] batchim syllable, the [ㄷ] is pronounced as [ㄴ] instead.A few examples:
- 끝내요 : [끈내요]
- 듣는 : [든는]
- 꽃 냄새 : [꼰 냄새]
Korean Pronunciation Rule: ㅎ + ㅈ > [ㅊ]
Next up in this list of pronunciation rules is: ㅎ + ㅈ > [ㅊ]. This is a rather important pronunciation rule in Korean since it applies to a quite a few often used Korean words. The rule goes like following: If a syllable starting with ㅈ follows a syllable that has ㅎ as a batchim; both combine in the second syllable to form [ㅊ]. This rule might make you think of another rule; [ㄷ] + ㅎ > [ㅌ].
A few examples:
- 많지요 : [만치요]
- 좋지만 : [조치만]
- 올려놓지 : [올려노치]
Korean Pronunciation Rule: [ㄷ] + ㅁ > [ㄴ] + ㅁ
The last Korean pronunciation rule in this post is: [ㄷ] + ㅁ > [ㄴ] + ㅁ. In a way this is a bit related to the first rule of this post, [ㄷ] + ㄴ > [ㄴ] + ㄴ. I think you recognize the stark resemblance between the two. This rule goes as such: When a syllable starting with ㅁ follows such a [ㄷ] batchim syllable, the [ㄷ] is pronounced as [ㄴ] instead. Like the first rule and many other rules such as this; it applies to all syllables with a batchim that is pronounced as [ㄷ].
When a syllable starting with ㅁ follows such a [ㄷ] batchim syllable, the [ㄷ] is pronounced as [ㄴ] instead.A few examples:
- 이것만 : [이건만]
- 옷맵시 : [온맵시]
- 끝말잇기 : [끈마릳기]