Korean · Difficult words
How to pronounce 버스 in Korean
버스
Romanization: beoseu
Bus
Standard South Korean; reference: SK-Standard, Seoul · Choose 1.00× to hear the original pace.
버스 is pronounced [p͈ʌ̹s͈ɯ] in Korean. In 버스: Make the consonant with firmer articulation and very little escaping air. The doubled vertical mark /͈/ indicates tension. Listen to the word on its own, then compare it with the example sentence.
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Find the sounds in 버스
The reference transcription for 버스 is [p͈ʌ̹s͈ɯ]. Read adjacent consonants together without inserting extra vowels. Korean pronunciation changes when sounds meet. Follow the spoken transcription and connected example rather than reading each Hangul letter in isolation.
1.Tense consonants
In 버스: Make the consonant with firmer articulation and very little escaping air. The doubled vertical mark /͈/ indicates tension.
Watch out: Louder speech alone does not create a tense consonant. Keep it distinct from an aspirated consonant.
2.The eo vowel /ʌ/
In 버스: Use a single open back-to-central vowel. The spelling “eo” in romanization represents one vowel.
Watch out: Do not read eo as an e followed by o.
3.The eu vowel
In 버스: Keep the tongue high and toward the back or center, with the lips unrounded. Listen for a vowel distinct from rounded /u/.
Watch out: English “oo” rounds the lips; that changes this vowel.
Hear it in context
버스를 타고 왔어요.
beoseureul tago wasseoyo.
I came by bus.
Listen once, say it aloud, then replay at 1.00×. Keep the word connected to the surrounding sentence rather than giving every syllable equal weight.
Pronunciation and variety
버스 is presented in standard South Korean pronunciation. Everyday speech can vary in vowel quality and consonant realization. Treat the romanization as a reading aid and follow the Hangul, IPA, and recording together.
The English-style respelling is approximate. Use the IPA and recording together for vowel quality and consonants that do not have an exact English equivalent.
Meaning and everyday use
Questions about 버스
How do you pronounce 버스?
버스 is pronounced [p͈ʌ̹s͈ɯ] in Korean. In 버스: Make the consonant with firmer articulation and very little escaping air. The doubled vertical mark /͈/ indicates tension. Listen to the word on its own, then compare it with the example sentence.
What should I listen for first?
In 버스: Make the consonant with firmer articulation and very little escaping air. The doubled vertical mark /͈/ indicates tension. Start at 0.75×, then return to 1.00× to hear the natural rhythm.
