Batchim: the 7 final consonant sounds 받침 소리 7가지
A consonant written at the bottom of a syllable block is called batchim (받침), a final consonant. Many letters can be written there, but every final consonant is pronounced as one of just seven sounds.
The seven sounds 일곱 소리
| Sound | Written as | Example |
|---|---|---|
| [k] | ㄱ ㄲ ㅋ | 책 [chaek] book |
| [n] | ㄴ | 손 [son] hand |
| [t] | ㄷ ㅅ ㅆ ㅈ ㅊ ㅌ ㅎ | 꽃 [kkot] flower |
| [l] | ㄹ | 물 [mul] water |
| [m] | ㅁ | 밤 [bam] night |
| [p] | ㅂ ㅍ | 숲 [sup] forest |
| [ng] | ㅇ | 공 [gong] ball |
So 꽃 (flower) is written with ㅊ at the bottom, but you do not say “ch” at the end. It ends in [t]: [kkot].
Why only seven? 왜 일곱 가지인가
A final consonant is held, not released. Your mouth closes for the sound and stays closed. Nothing comes out after it.
Letters like ㄱ, ㅋ and ㄲ differ in the air and tension that come out when the sound is released. As a final there is no release, so that difference has nowhere to go. All that is left is the place where your mouth closes.
- Three are stops: [k], [t], [p]. The air is blocked and held.
- Three are nasals: [n], [m], [ng]. The mouth is closed in the same three places, and the sound goes through the nose.
- One is [l]: the tongue tip touches the gum ridge and stays there.
The three stops: [k], [t], [p] 막는 소리
![Side view of the mouth for final [k]](media/side_g_stop.png)
Hold the back of your tongue against the palate — don't release the sound. 혀 뒤를 입천장에 붙인 채로 멈추고 소리를 터뜨리지 마세요.
![Side view of the mouth for final [t]](media/side_d_stop.png)
Hold your tongue tip against the gum ridge — don't release the sound. 혀끝을 윗니 뒷잇몸에 붙인 채로 멈추고 소리를 터뜨리지 마세요.
![Side view of the mouth for final [p]](media/side_b_stop.png)
Hold your lips closed — don't release the sound. 입술을 붙인 채로 멈추고 소리를 터뜨리지 마세요.
Stop with your mouth still closed.
The three nasals: [n], [m], [ng] 코로 나는 소리
![Side view of the mouth for final [n]](media/side_n.png)
Touch your tongue tip to the gum ridge, nasal "n" sound. 혀끝을 윗니 뒷잇몸에 붙이고 코로 "은" 소리를 내세요.
![Side view of the mouth for final [m]](media/side_m.png)
Close your lips, nasal "m" sound. 입술을 붙이고 코로 "음" 소리를 내세요.
![Side view of the mouth for final [ng]](media/side_ng.png)
Touch the back of your tongue to the soft palate, nasal "ng" sound. 혀 뒤를 입천장에 붙이고 코로 "응" 소리를 내세요.
ㅇ has two jobs. At the start of a syllable it is silent. As a final it is [ng].
And [l] 받침 ㄹ
![Side view of the mouth for final [l]](media/side_r.png)
Touch your tongue tip to the gum ridge. 혀끝을 윗니 뒷잇몸에 붙이세요.
A way to practise 연습하는 방법
- Say 아. Then say 악 and stop with the back of your tongue still up. Do not let any air out after it.
- Do the same with 앗 (tongue tip on the gum ridge) and 압 (lips closed). Three syllables, three places: 악 – 앗 – 압.
- Now the nasals, in the same three places: 앙 – 안 – 암. This time the sound keeps going through your nose.
- Then 알: the tongue tip touches the gum ridge and rests there.
- Record yourself and listen. A final that is released is easy to hear in a recording.
More 더 보기
Practice final consonants with your own voice
Korean Alphabet & Sounds · free to start, one-time unlock, no subscription
- Record yourself and compare with the example
- Trace each letter — the app checks your strokes
- Quizzes, flashcards and daily review
- 313 words with pictures in 11 topics
Audio: Supertonic 3 (text-to-speech) · Illustrations: Hangeul Press