Korean · Difficult words
How to pronounce 북쪽 in Korean
북쪽
Romanization: bukjjok
North
Standard South Korean; reference: SK-Standard, Seoul · Choose 1.00× to hear the original pace.
북쪽 is pronounced [puk̚t͡ɕ͈o̞k̚] in Korean. In 북쪽: 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 북쪽
The reference transcription for 북쪽 is [puk̚t͡ɕ͈o̞k̚]. 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 북쪽: 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.Unreleased final consonants
In 북쪽: Move into the final consonant position, then stop without a strong release. The corner mark /̚/ indicates no audible release.
Watch out: Do not add a vowel or a final English-style puff after the consonant.
3.A steady /o/ vowel
In 북쪽: Round the lips and keep the tongue toward the back for a steady /o/. Follow the length indicated in the transcription.
Watch out: Avoid automatically turning a single /o/ into the moving vowel of English “go”.
Hear it in context
북쪽으로 가세요.
bukjjogeuro gaseyo.
Go north.
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
북쪽 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 북쪽
How do you pronounce 북쪽?
북쪽 is pronounced [puk̚t͡ɕ͈o̞k̚] in Korean. In 북쪽: 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 북쪽: 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.
