Lesson 1
Lesson 1. Diphthongs: Why don't Koreans pronounce 의 as 의?
ㅖ is often pronounced as ㅔ.
Ex)
시계 [시계, 시게] clock, watch
지혜 [지혜, 지헤] wisdom (This is also a common Korean name.)
However, when ㅖ is used as a vowel or when it is combined with ㄹ, it cannot be pronounced as ㅔ.
Ex)
예절 [예절] manners
예술 [예술] art
실례 [실례] bad manners
When ㅢ is combined with a consonant, Koreans often pronounce it as ㅣ.
Ex)
희망 [희망, 히망] hope, wish
무늬 [무늬, 무니] pattern
의사 [의사] doctor
사의 [사의, 사이] intention to resign
Especially, when ㅢ is not part of the first syllable of a word, it is usually pronounced as ㅣ.
Ex)
회의 [회의, 회이] meeting
거의 [거의, 거이] almost
When 의 is a particle that shows possession, it is often pronounced as 에.
Ex)
나의 [나의, 나에] my
우리의 [우리의, 우리에] our
Sentence examples that contain more than one of these sounds:
1. 이게 지혜 시계예요? 예술이네요!
[이게 지헤 시게예요? 예수리네요!]
Is this Jihye’s clock/watch? It’s such a work of art!
2. 회의할 때 거의 다 희망이 없다고 했어요.
[회이할 때 거이 다 히망이 업따고 해써요.]
During the meeting, almost everyone said there was no hope.