Lesson 10
Lesson 10. ㅅ Insertion: Why isn't 나뭇잎 pronounced 나무싶?
In a compound, if there is an "additional ㅅ (사이시옷)" and the second word of a compound starts with ㄱ, ㄷ, ㅂ, ㅅ, or ㅈ, the following consonants are pronounced more tense.
Ex)
뱃속 [밷쏙] stomach
콧등 [콛뜽] bridge of the nose
When the second word of a compound starts with ㄴ or ㅁ after the “additional ㅅ (사이시옷)”, the ㅅ is pronounced as ㄴ.
Ex)
아랫니 [아랜니] bottom teeth
혼잣말 [혼잔말] talking to oneself
When the second part of a COMPOUND starts with 이 after the “additional ㅅ (사이시옷),” a ㄴ is added.
Ex)
나뭇잎 [나문닙] leaf
깻잎 [깬닙] perilla leaf
뒷일 [뒨닐] aftermath
Sentence examples that contain more than one of these sounds:
1. 깻잎 좋아한다고 혼잣말했어요.
[깬닙 조아한다고 혼잔말해써요.]
I said to myself that I like perilla leaves.
2. 나뭇잎이 제 콧등으로 떨어졌어요.
[나문니피 제 콛뜽으로 떠러져써요.]
A leaf fell onto my nose.