Korean · Difficult words
How to pronounce 근육 in Korean
근육
Romanization: geunyuk
Muscle
Standard South Korean; reference: SK-Standard, Seoul · Choose 1.00× to hear the original pace.
근육 is pronounced [kɯɲuk̚] in Korean. In 근육: 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 근육
The reference transcription for 근육 is [kɯɲuk̚]. 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 근육: 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.The eu vowel
In 근육: 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.
3.Back rounded vowels
In 근육: Round your lips and keep the tongue toward the back. Follow the closer /u/ or more relaxed /ʊ/ quality written in the IPA.
Watch out: Avoid inserting a y sound before the vowel unless the IPA includes /j/.
Hear it in context
근육이 아파요.
geunyugi apayo.
My muscles hurt.
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
근육 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 근육
How do you pronounce 근육?
근육 is pronounced [kɯɲuk̚] in Korean. In 근육: 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 근육: 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.
