Korean · Difficult words
How to pronounce 가족 in Korean
가족
Romanization: gajok
Family
Standard South Korean; reference: SK-Standard, Seoul · Choose 1.00× to hear the original pace.
가족 is pronounced [ka̠d͡ʑo̞k̚] in Korean. In 가족: Move into the final consonant position, then stop without a strong release. The corner mark /̚/ indicates no audible release. Listen to the word on its own, then compare it with the example sentence.
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Find the sounds in 가족
The reference transcription for 가족 is [ka̠d͡ʑo̞k̚]. 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.Unreleased final consonants
In 가족: 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.
2.A steady /o/ vowel
In 가족: 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”.
3.An open vowel
In 가족: Open the jaw for the a-like vowel shown in the IPA. Keep it continuous and follow the recording’s tongue position.
Watch out: Do not substitute the English diphthong in “day”.
Hear it in context
가족이 여기 있어요.
gajogi yeogi isseoyo.
My family is here.
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
가족 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 가족
How do you pronounce 가족?
가족 is pronounced [ka̠d͡ʑo̞k̚] in Korean. In 가족: Move into the final consonant position, then stop without a strong release. The corner mark /̚/ indicates no audible release. Listen to the word on its own, then compare it with the example sentence.
What should I listen for first?
In 가족: Move into the final consonant position, then stop without a strong release. The corner mark /̚/ indicates no audible release. Start at 0.75×, then return to 1.00× to hear the natural rhythm.
