[Learn Korean] #012 Compound Vowels 4 (ㅢ and Review)

1. Introduction

We have now covered almost all Korean vowels:

• 10 basic vowels

• 10 compound vowels (ㅐ, ㅒ, ㅔ, ㅖ, ㅘ, ㅙ, ㅚ, ㅝ, ㅞ, ㅟ)

Today, we will learn the final compound vowel: ㅢ (ui).
Then, we will review all compound vowels learned so far.

2. Vowel

• ㅢ (ui)
  Pronunciation: has two main sounds depending on usage:

  1. At the beginning of a word: pronounced as ui (like “we” but with an i sound at the end).
     Example: 의사 (uisa) = doctor

  2. As a possessive marker or in casual speech: often pronounced simply as i.
     Example: 나의 (naeui → nai) = my

3. Pronunciation Tips

• ㅢ = ㅡ + ㅣ (eu + i)

• For beginners, it is enough to pronounce it as ui at the start of words, and i when used as grammar (like “의”).

4. Review of Compound Vowels

Here is the complete list of compound vowels:

• ㅐ (ae)

• ㅒ (yae)

• ㅔ (e)

• ㅖ (ye)

• ㅘ (wa)

• ㅙ (wae)

• ㅚ (oe/we)

• ㅝ (wo)

• ㅞ (we)

• ㅟ (wi)

• ㅢ (ui)

5. Practice Syllables

With consonant ㄱ (g/k):

• 개 (gae), 게 (ge), 걔 (gyae), 계 (gye)

• 과 (gwa), 괘 (gwae), 괴 (goe/we)

• 궈 (gwo), 궤 (gwe), 귀 (gwi)

• 의 (ui)

6. Exercises

1. Compare: 의사 (uisa, doctor) vs 나의 (nai, my).

2. Read and write: 왜, 외, 위, 의.

3. Recognize these words:

   • 대한민국의 (daehanmingukui) = of Korea

   • 회의 (hoeui → hoei) = meeting

   • 주의 (jui → jui/i) = caution, warning

7. Summary

Today, you learned the last compound vowel:
ㅢ (ui).
You also reviewed all 11 compound vowels.
With this lesson, you have completed the full set of 21 Korean vowels!

Next, we will begin combining consonants and vowels to create full syllables.