Korean for Beginners: How to Write Korean Vowels in Hangul

Welcome to the next step in mastering Korean! In this guide, we’ll focus on writing Korean vowels. Each vowel in Hangul follows a specific stroke order that helps make writing systematic and memorable. Learning to write Korean vowels will lay a solid foundation for reading, pronunciation, and forming words.

 

Why Learn Hangul Vowels?

Korean vowels are essential for accurate pronunciation and reading. Unlike English, each Korean vowel has a single, consistent sound, which makes it easier for beginners to learn. Mastering these vowels will enable you to read, pronounce, and write Korean words with confidence.

 

Sound Values of Korean Vowels

Here’s a list of the 10 basic Korean vowels with their sounds and pronunciation guides:

Symbol	Sound	Pronunciation Example
ㅏ	a	Like "a" in "father"
ㅓ	eo	Like "u" in "up"
ㅗ	o	Like "o" in "go"
ㅜ	u	Like "oo" in "boot"
ㅡ	eu	Similar to "u" in "push"
ㅣ	i	Like "ee" in "see"
ㅑ	ya	Like "ya" in "yacht"
ㅕ	yeo	Similar to "yo" in "yonder"
ㅛ	yo	Like "yo" in "yoga"
ㅠ	yu	Like "you" in "youth"

 

How to Write Korean Vowels: Stroke Order with Visuals

Following the correct stroke order is essential for writing Hangul naturally. Each Korean vowel uses a top-to-bottom and left-to-right stroke sequence, making them easy to learn and remember. Below are visuals for each vowel’s writing order.

1. ㅏ (a)

• Sound: "a" as in "father"
• Stroke Order:

2. ㅓ (eo)

• Sound: "eo" as in "up"
• Stroke Order:

3. ㅗ (o)

• Sound: "o" as in "go"
• Stroke Order:

4. ㅜ (u)

• Sound: "u" as in "boot"
• Stroke Order:

5. ㅡ (eu)

• Sound: "eu" as in "push"
• Stroke Order:

6. ㅣ (i)

• Sound: "i" as in "see"
• Stroke Order:

Continue with the remaining vowels following this structure for each.

 

Practice Writing Korean Vowels

Below is a comprehensive list of the 10 basic Korean vowels. Follow the stroke order and use the practice spaces to trace and write each vowel on your own. Remember to pronounce each vowel as you write it to reinforce sound and shape.

Vowel	Tracing Guide	Practice
ㅏ	Trace along the example: ㅏ	______ ______ ______
ㅓ	Trace along the example: ㅓ	______ ______ ______
ㅗ	Trace along the example: ㅗ	______ ______ ______
ㅜ	Trace along the example: ㅜ	______ ______ ______
ㅡ	Trace along the example: ㅡ	______ ______ ______
ㅣ	Trace along the example: ㅣ	______ ______ ______
ㅑ	Trace along the example: ㅑ	______ ______ ______
ㅕ	Trace along the example: ㅕ	______ ______ ______
ㅛ	Trace along the example: ㅛ	______ ______ ______
ㅠ	Trace along the example: ㅠ	______ ______ ______

 

Tips for Practice:

1. Follow Stroke Order: Stick to the stroke order for each vowel to ensure accurate writing.
2. Sound Out as You Write: Pronounce each vowel as you write it to reinforce sound and shape connections.
3. Daily Practice: Practice writing each vowel daily to build familiarity and confidence.

 

Next Steps

With the basics of Korean vowels under your belt, you’re ready to explore diphthongs—complex vowels that add more variety to Korean sounds. Diphthongs are the next step in expanding your Korean pronunciation and vocabulary skills, so stay tuned for the following guide in our series.