Practice distinguishing stop consonants: ㄱ vs ㅋ vs ㄲ
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| This is the ㄱ (g) sound, this is the ㅋ (k) sound, and this is the ㄲ (kk) sound. By the end of this lesson, you'll be able to tell them apart, PLUS you'll be practicing them and on your way to perfect pronunciation! |
| I'm Joyce, and this is Korean Pronunciation Through Minimal Pairs. |
| The first is ㄱ (g). This is the ㄱ (g) sound in 가방 (ga-bang) "bag," 김치 (gim-chi) "kimchi," and other words. |
| ㅋ (k) is the ㅋ (k) sound in 커피 (keo-pi) "coffee," |
| 카메라 (ka-me-ra) "camera," and other words. |
| ㄲ (kk) is the ㄲ (kk) sound in 꽃 (kkot) "flower," 깨끗하다 (kkae-kkeut-ha-da) "to be clean," and other words. |
| These three consonants are called velar stops. |
| To make the ㄱ (g) sound: press the back of your tongue against the velum, then release it to produce a sound that is a mix between g and k. It is softer and less aspirated than ㅋ. |
| ㄱ |
| [3 sec pause] |
| ㄱ (enunciated) |
| [3 sec pause] |
| ㄱ |
| To make the ㅋ (k) sound: press the back of your tongue against the velum more firmly than with ㄱ. When you release the tongue, there should be a noticeable burst of air. It should sound like the k in "kite" or "kick," with clear aspiration. |
| To make the ㄲ (kk) sound: press the back of your tongue very tightly against the velum, using more muscular tension in your vocal cords. Release the sound with a crisp and strong articulation without any accompanying puff of air. The sound is like a reinforced k but without the breathy quality of ㅋ. |
| The difference between these sounds lies in their aspiration and tension. |
| ㄱ is pronounced like a mix of g and k and with less aspiration. |
| ㅋ is pronounced with a noticeable burst of air. |
| ㄲ is pronounced with a strong, crisp articulation but without any puff of air. |
| Listen carefully and repeat after me. |
| ㄱ ㅋ ㄲ |
| [3 sec pause] |
| ㄱ ㅋ ㄲ (enunciated) |
| [3 sec pause] |
| ㄱ ㅋ ㄲ |
| ㄱ ㅋ ㄲ |
| [3 sec pause] |
| ㄱ ㅋ ㄲ (enunciated) |
| [3 sec pause] |
| ㄱ ㅋ ㄲ |
| Notice how the sounds change from unaspirated to aspirated to tensed. |
| Listen and repeat or speak along with me. |
| Ready? |
| 개다 (gae-da)/ 캐다 (kae-da)/ 깨다 (kkae-da) "to fold"/"to dig"/"to break" |
| (space for repetition) |
| 개다 (gae-da)/ 캐다 (kae-da)/ 깨다 (kkae-da) "to fold"/"to dig"/"to break" |
| 기 (gi) vs. 키 (ki)/끼 (kki) "energy"/"height"/"talent" |
| (space for repetition) |
| 기 (gi) vs. 키 (ki)/끼 (kki) "energy"/"height"/"talent" |
| 굴 (gul)/ 쿨 (kul)/ 꿀 (kkul) "cave"/"cool"/"honey" |
| (space for repetition) |
| 굴 (gul)/ 쿨 (kul)/ 꿀 (kkul) "cave"/"cool"/"honey" |
| 골 (gol)/콜 (kol)/꼴 (kkol) "goal"/"call"/"shape (mess)" |
| (space for repetition) |
| 골 (gol)/콜 (kol)/꼴 (kkol) "goal"/"call"/"shape (mess)" |
| Let's review. Respond to the prompts by speaking aloud. Then, repeat after me, focussing on pronunciation. |
| Do you remember the sound pronounced like a mix of g and k and unaspirated? |
| (3) |
| (2) |
| (1) |
| ㄱ |
| (1) |
| ㄱ |
| Do you remember the sound pronounced with a noticeable burst of air? |
| (3) |
| (2) |
| (1) |
| ㅋ |
| (1) |
| ㅋ |
| And the sound pronounced with a strong, crisp articulation but without aspiration? |
| (3) |
| (2) |
| (1) |
| ㄲ |
| (1) |
| ㄲ |
| Let's practice. |
| Compare the sounds in these three words. |
| 굴 (gul)/쿨 (kul)/ 꿀 (kkul) "cave"/"cool"/"honey" |
| (1) |
| 굴 (gul)/쿨 (kul)/ 꿀 (kkul) "cave"/"cool"/"honey" |
| (1) |
| Let's try another. |
| 골 (gol)/콜 (kol)/꼴 (kkol) "goal"/"call"/"shape (mess)" |
| (1) |
| 골 (gol)/콜 (kol)/꼴 (kkol) "goal"/"call"/"shape (mess)" |
| (1) |
| Now, listen to the following sentences. |
| 이불을 개요. |
| (I-bul-eul gae-yo.) |
| "I fold the blanket." |
| (3 sec pause) |
| 밭에서 감자를 캐요. |
| (Bat-e-seo gam-ja-reul kae-yo.) |
| "I dig up potatoes from the field." |
| (3 sec pause) |
| 컵을 깨요. |
| (Keop-eul kkae-yo.) |
| "I break the cup." |
| (3 sec pause) |
| 개요, 캐요, 깨요 |
| Read the following sentence out loud, focusing on the different sounds. |
| (pause) |
| 저희 언니는 기가 세요. |
| (Jeo-hui eon-ni-neun gi-ga se-yo.) |
| "My older sister has strong energy." |
| (3 sec pause) |
| 저희 아버지는 키가 커요. |
| (Je-hui a-beo-ji-neu ki-ga keo-yo.) |
| "My father is tall." |
| (3 sec pause) |
| 제 동생은 예술적 끼가 있어요. |
| (Je dong-saeng-eun ye-sul-jeok kki-ga iss-eo-yo.) |
| "My younger brother has an artistic talent." |
| (3 sec pause) |
| 기, 키, 끼 |
| By the way, if you watched til the end |
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