Korean · Difficult words
How to pronounce 등 in Korean
등
Romanization: deung
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Standard South Korean; reference: SK-Standard, Seoul · Choose 1.00× to hear the original pace.
등 is pronounced [tɯŋ] in Korean. In 등: Keep the tongue high and toward the back or center, with the lips unrounded. Listen for a vowel distinct from rounded /u/. Listen to the word on its own, then compare it with the example sentence.
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Find the sounds in 등
The reference transcription for 등 is [tɯŋ]. 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.The eu vowel
In 등: 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
등이 아파요.
deungi apayo.
My back hurts.
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
등 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 등
How do you pronounce 등?
등 is pronounced [tɯŋ] in Korean. In 등: Keep the tongue high and toward the back or center, with the lips unrounded. Listen for a vowel distinct from rounded /u/. Listen to the word on its own, then compare it with the example sentence.
What should I listen for first?
In 등: Keep the tongue high and toward the back or center, with the lips unrounded. Listen for a vowel distinct from rounded /u/. Start at 0.75×, then return to 1.00× to hear the natural rhythm.
