Top 10 Korean Alphabet Letters Every Learner Should Know First
When you begin learning the Korean alphabet letters, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. There are 24 basics and 40 sounds in total — but you don’t need to master them all at once. The best way to start is by focusing on the letters you’ll see and hear most often in greetings, dramas, and daily conversation. That’s because learning a smaller set first gives you quick wins and keeps your motivation high.
Here are 10 Korean alphabet letters every beginner should recognize first:
- ㅇ (ieung) – Silent at the start of a syllable, but sounds like “ng” at the end (e.g., 사랑 sarang, “love”).
- ㅅ (siot) – “s” sound, as in 사 (sa).
- ㄴ (nieun) – “n” sound, common in 안녕 (annyeong, hello).
- ㅁ (mieum) – “m” sound, used in 감사 (gamsa, thanks).
- ㄱ (giyeok) – “g” or “k” sound, very frequent in everyday words.
- ㅎ (hieut) – “h” sound, as in 한국 (Hanguk, Korea).
- ㅂ (bieup) – “b” or “p” sound, found in 밥 (bap, rice/meal).
- ㅈ (jieut) – “j” sound, as in 잘 (jal, well).
- ㅏ (a) – One of the simplest vowels, the “a” in rather.
- ㅗ (o) – A core vowel, pronounced like “o” in so.
Why These 10 Letters First?
These Korean alphabet letters appear in some of the most common words and phrases you’ll hear right away. So, by recognizing them, you’ll be able to read parts of greetings, simple words, and even subtitles. It’s about building familiarity and confidence — because the sooner you connect symbols with sounds, the sooner Korean stops looking like a mystery code.
Take the Next Step
Once you’ve got these down, the rest of Hangul comes much faster. You’ll find patterns that repeat and discover how logical the system is.
👉 To master all 40 sounds with clear examples, check out our Hangul Essentials Course — your step-by-step guide to reading Korean confidently.
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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