Tense consonants
ㄲ ㄸ ㅃ ㅆ ㅉ and the 가 / 카 / 까 triplets
A doubled consonant is tense: tighten the throat, say it short and high, with no air. Compare 까 (tense), 카 (aspirated), 가 (plain).
This is the hardest part for beginners. Listen many times and repeat; your ear will get used to it.
Letters
- ㄲ
쌍기역 · kk
A tight 'k', no air
- ㄸ
쌍디귿 · tt
A tight 't', no air
- ㅃ
쌍비읍 · pp
A tight 'p', no air
- ㅆ
쌍시옷 · ss
A tight, hissing 's'
- ㅉ
쌍지읒 · jj
A tight 'j', no air
Syllables
Tap a syllable to hear it.
Words
- 아빠dad
- 오빠older brother (said by a girl)
- 토끼rabbit
- 꼬리tail
- 싸다cheap
- 비싸다expensive
- 짜다salty
- 아저씨mister
- 뿌리root
Exercises
Question 1 of 13
Listen and choose the right letters