learn to read Hangeul with a story fast, by sochourner on YouTube. 2 min 58 s.
- Video length
- 2 min 58 s
- Time to do it
- 15 minutes a day for 1 to 2 we
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Learn the eight basic consonants first: ㄱ (g), ㄴ (n), ㄷ (d), ㄹ (r or l), ㅁ (m), ㅂ (b), ㅅ (s) and ㅇ (silent, or ng at the end). Trace each shape and say the sound out loud.
Add the ten basic vowels: ㅏ, ㅑ, ㅓ, ㅕ, ㅗ, ㅛ, ㅜ, ㅠ, ㅡ, ㅣ. Study them in pairs, because each pair is the same sound with and without a y.
Learn the remaining consonants: ㅈ (j), ㅊ (ch), ㅋ (k), ㅌ (t), ㅍ (p) and ㅎ (h). The letters ㅋ, ㅌ, ㅍ and ㅊ are the breathier versions of ㄱ, ㄷ, ㅂ and ㅈ.
Build syllable blocks. A consonant plus a vowel forms one square: ㅎ + ㅏ makes 하, and ㄱ + ㅜ makes 구. Write ten blocks and read each one aloud.
Learn final consonants, called batchim. A consonant at the bottom of a block often changes sound, so ㅅ at the end is said like a soft t.
Add the five double consonants ㄲ, ㄸ, ㅃ, ㅆ, ㅉ and the compound vowels ㅐ, ㅔ, ㅘ, ㅝ, ㅢ. Treat these as a second pass, not day one.
Read real words you already know: 한국 (Korea), 서울 (Seoul), 김치 (kimchi), 커피 (coffee), 화장실 (toilet). Sound them out before checking the meaning.
Finish each session by reading ten random syllable blocks from a generator or a chart. Do this daily until the shapes feel automatic.
Tips and common mistakes
Learn the sounds, not English letter names, or you will read Korean with an accent.
Use a memory story for tricky letters, such as ㅎ looking like a hat with a button.
Skip romanisation as soon as you can, since it hides sound changes.
Expect to mix up ㅓ and ㅗ at first. That confusion fades with daily reading.
Questions
How long does it take to read Hangul?
Most people can sound out simple words in a few days and read comfortably within two to three weeks of short daily practice.
Do I need to learn Chinese characters too?
No. Hangul is a complete alphabet, and everyday Korean is written entirely with it.
Should I learn to write before reading?
Read first. Recognising the blocks makes handwriting much easier, and writing by hand does help the shapes stick.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
