START FROM THE BEGINNING · HANGUL
Turn unfamiliar letters into your first words.
Hangul letters fit together in syllable blocks. Tori’s Hangul area offers recognition, writing, syllable practice and quizzes to help you move from noticing shapes to reading familiar words.
The “40 sounds” label used in many introductory courses refers to a learning set of 21 vowels and 19 consonants. It does not mean Korean has only 40 spoken sounds.
Learn the shape, then connect it to sound
Begin with basic vowels and consonants and notice where they sit in a syllable. Practise short blocks such as 가, 나 and 다, then read them in words. Writing supports recognition; listening and speaking connect the letters to sound.
가방
bag
나무
tree
Connect recognition, writing and reading
Listen to a letter or example word, write it, say it, then hide the prompt and check what you remember. Accuracy matters more than speed on your first pass. Learn final consonants and sound changes through words as you progress.
- Recognise: identify a letter when you see it.
- Write: notice strokes and their position in the block.
- Read: build syllables, then familiar words.
- Review: use practice to find letters that still need attention.
Take the next step
Use a short diary or simple conversation to reinforce your new reading skills. Avoid relying on English spelling approximations as a permanent pronunciation guide. Return to audio whenever a sound is uncertain.
A beginner’s learning orderHow to use a Hangul chartUnderstanding batchim