The is the final consonant (or consonant cluster) at the end of a Korean syllable.

. The is written in the bottom/final position. Conjugation rules will often depend on if there is a or not. The consonant in the position is said to be in the "final position." The sound of the jamo may also differ from its original sound if not followed by a vowel. A sentence example where the is in red:

Contents
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1 Significance 2 Pronunciation: Consonant followed by a vowel 3 Pronunciation: Consonant not followed by a vowel 4 Consonant assimilation 5 Double 6 Exceptions

Significance
The is important for grammar conjugation. Many grammar pattern's conjugation method depends on whether it has a or not, for example the subject markers (if there's no ) and (if there is a ).

Pronunciation: Consonant followed by a vowel

If a consonant in the final position is followed by a vowel, the consonant sound shifts over to the syllable with the vowel. The only sounds that don't shift over to the next syllable are since it is impossible to begin a syllable with an "ng" sound and becomes silent when followed by a vowel. Also when is in the final position and followed by the vowel , the sound becomes , see + . Similarly when is in the final position and followed by the vowel , the sound becomes . See + .

Pronunciation When Followed By a Vowel

Original Actual Pronunciation sound shifts over to the next syllable

Comment

sound shifts over to the next syllable

sound shifts over to the next syllable

sound goes silent if followed by a vowel

sound shifts over to the next syllable, becomes an // sound (flapped /r/) rather than an /l/ sound.

sound shifts over to the next syllable, becomes an // sound rather than an /l/ sound.

The sound does not shift over

sound shifts over to the next syllable

+ = . See +

+ = . See +

sound shifts over to the next syllable, becomes an // sound rather than a /l/ sound.

sound shifts over to the next syllable

The sound does not shift over

Pronunciation: Consonant not followed by a vowel

If a consonant is in the final position and it is not followed by a vowel (meaning it is the last syllable of the word or followed by another consonant), then it may have a different pronunciation. Notice from the table below that many characters share the same sound when in the position. Also note: , , and can't appear in the final position.

Pronunciation for Consonants in Position When Not Followed By a Vowel

Letter(s)

Pronunciation

Comment

Examples

Audio

,,

/k/

The /k/ sound is cut short.

/p/

The /p/ sound is cut short.

/l/ sound If is followed by a vowel it is a // sound

Normally acts as a placeholder for a consonant // sound and makes no sound, only in the final position does it make a sound.

, ,,,,, /t/ sound Error: file filename.mp3 not found

Consonant assimilation
When certain consonant sounds meet each other, there are consonant assimilation rules that modify the standard pronunciation. For a complete set of rules, see the consonant assimilation section. Examples of Consonant assimilation Rules

Word (Originally)

Actual Pronunciation Consonant assimilation Rule + ,

(Last year)

+ ,

(An area in Seoul)

+ ,

(Jogno, an area in Seoul)

+ ,

(Eleven)

 (To be happy)

(School admission)

(That's right)

(I'll do it soon.)

Double
It is possible to have two different consonants in the final syllable position (a consonant cluster). Note when we say double we are not refering to , . If the next syllable starts with a vowel, the sound in the second position will shift to the next syllable unless it is an , in which case the sound is simply ignored. If the next syllable starts with a consonant, only one of the two consonants will be pronounced, but the second may assimilate with the following consonant.

Example

Pronunciation for double when followed by a vowel

Original

Actual Pronunciation

Comment The in cluster shifts over to the next syllable

The in cluster shifts over to the next syllable

The in cluster shifts over to the next syllable

The in cluster shifts over to the next syllable

goes silent when followed by a vowel, sound shifts over

goes silent when followed by a vowel

goes silent when followed by a vowel

The in cluster shifts over to the next syllable

The in cluster shifts over to the next syllable

Pronunciation for double when followed by a vowel

Original

Actual Pronunciation

Comment The in cluster shifts over to the next syllable

However if it is followed by a consonant in the next syllable over, there is no specific rule as to which sound to pronounce; you must memorize the words individually. The second consonant in the can also affect the next syllable if one of the consonant assimilation rulesapplies. See the picture example. Pronunciation for double when followed by a vowel

Original

Actual Pronunciation

Comment

With the cluster , gets pronounced

With the cluster , gets pronounced. Then + makes the sound become a sound.

The consonant assimilation rule + applies, making sound become a sound.

Pronunciation for double when followed by a vowel

Original

Actual Pronunciation

Comment

With the cluster , gets pronounced. Then + makes the sound become a sound.

With the cluster , gets pronounced. Then + makes the sound become a sound.

With the cluster , gets pronounced. Then + makes the sound become a sound.

With the cluster , gets pronounced. Then + makes the sound become a sound.

With the cluster , gets pronounced. Then + makes the sound become a sound.

Pronunciation for double when followed by a vowel

Original

Actual Pronunciation

Comment

With the cluster , gets pronounced

With the cluster , gets pronounced

Exceptions
Words like (chicken) when followed by the subject marker and the object marker would normally have the pronunciation "" and "" respectively if they followed the normal rules. However they get pronounced as "" and "" instead.