If you’re looking for the Korean ABC, you’re really searching for Hangul — the Korean alphabet. Just like A–B–C in English, Hangul is made up of individual letters that combine to form words. And the good news? It’s far simpler than you might think.
What Is the Korean ABC?
The “Korean ABC” refers to the Hangul jamo — the basic building blocks of Korean writing. There are:
- 14 basic consonants
- 10 basic vowels
These 24 letters form the foundation of Korean reading and writing. But there’s more — when you add double consonants and combined vowels, you get a total of 40 sounds in modern Korean.
Why Hangul Is Easier Than It Looks
Unlike other Asian scripts that evolved over centuries, Hangul was designed in the 15th century by King Sejong the Great to be easy to learn. Each letter shape matches how your mouth moves when making the sound:
- ㅁ (m) = closed lips
- ㄴ (n) = tongue touching the roof of your mouth
- ㄱ (g/k) = tongue blocking the back of the throat
Following on from the consonants, vowels are based on three simple shapes:
- A vertical line (human)
- A horizontal line (earth)
- A dot or short stroke (sun)
How to Start Learning the Korean ABC
- Learn consonants first – they’re easier to match to English sounds.
- Add vowels – practice reading simple syllables.
- Combine letters into full syllable blocks.
- Practice with real words — try names or short phrases from K-Dramas.
The Korean ABC is your first step toward understanding Korean language and culture. Master these 24 letters, and you’ll be able to read almost any Korean word — even if you don’t know its meaning yet.
Master the 40 Hangul symbols, and you’ve unlocked the door to the entire language.
Ready for More?
Of course, this is just the beginning. We’ve created a full list of 100+ K-Drama words and expressions, organized by category and matched with flashcards.
So if you’ve ever wanted to understand what they’re really saying in your favorite scenes, this is the easiest way to start.
🎯 Are You Over 50 or Struggling to Learn Korean?
If you’re over 50 or just finding Korean harder than you expected, you’re not alone.
We also offer free 1-on-1 strategy sessions for learners who want a clear, personal plan that actually works. Especially useful if traditional apps and videos haven’t helped.
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