[Learn Korean] #004 Basic Consonants 2 (ㅁ, ㅂ, ㅅ, ㅇ)

1. Introduction

In this lesson, we continue learning Korean consonants.
Today’s set includes ㅁ (mieum), ㅂ (bieup), ㅅ (siot), and ㅇ (ieung).
These consonants are used very often in daily Korean and will allow you to form many common words.

2. Consonants

• ㅁ (미음, mieum)
  Romanization: m
  Pronunciation: like m in mom

• ㅂ (비읍, bieup)
  Romanization: b/p
  Pronunciation: like b in boy, or p in pen

• ㅅ (시옷, siot)
  Romanization: s
  Pronunciation: like s in sun (before ㅣ it sounds like sh in she)

• ㅇ (이응, ieung)
  Romanization: silent/ng
  Pronunciation: silent at the beginning of a syllable, ng as in song at the end

3. Pronunciation Tips

• ㅁ (mieum): simple “m,” lips pressed together.

• ㅂ (bieup): soft “b” at the beginning, stronger “p” at the end.

• ㅅ (siot): like “s” in sun, but before “i (ㅣ)” it sounds like “sh” (she).

• ㅇ (ieung): silent when it’s at the start of a syllable, “ng” as in song at the end.

4. Practice Syllables

Using the vowel ㅏ (a):

• 마 (ma)

• 바 (ba/pa)

• 사 (sa)

• 아 (a)

Using the vowel ㅣ (i):

• 미 (mi)

• 비 (bi/pi)

• 시 (si/shi)

• 이 (i)

5. Cultural Note

The consonant ㅇ (ieung) is unique.

• At the beginning: it is silent, e.g., 아 (a).

• At the end: it becomes “ng,” e.g., 방 (bang = room).

This makes Korean syllables very regular and easy to read once you know the rule.

6. Exercises

1. Read aloud: 마, 바, 사, 아.

2. Combine with ㅣ: 미, 비, 시, 이.

3. Try to recognize these words:

   • 마마 (mama) = mother (old style, royal address)

   • 바다 (bada) = sea

   • 사람 (saram) = person

   • 방 (bang) = room

7. Summary

Today, you learned four new consonants: ㅁ, ㅂ, ㅅ, ㅇ.
Now you can form words like 사람 (person) and 방 (room).
Combined with the previous lesson, you already know 8 consonants!