Korean · Difficult words
How to pronounce 고래 in Korean
고래
Romanization: gorae
Whale
Standard South Korean; reference: SK-Standard, Seoul · Choose 1.00× to hear the original pace.
고래 is pronounced [ko̞ɾɛ] in Korean. In 고래: Make a quick tongue-tip contact between the surrounding sounds. Its realization depends on position. Listen to the word on its own, then compare it with the example sentence.
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Find the sounds in 고래
The reference transcription for 고래 is [ko̞ɾɛ]. 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 Korean flap /ɾ/
In 고래: Make a quick tongue-tip contact between the surrounding sounds. Its realization depends on position.
Watch out: Do not impose an English r on every ㄹ; final and doubled positions can be l-like.
2.A steady /o/ vowel
In 고래: 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.The open /ɛ/ vowel
In 고래: Keep the vowel open, like the vowel in many pronunciations of English “bed”, without a final glide.
Watch out: Avoid turning this vowel into English “ay”.
Hear it in context
고래가 저기에 있어요.
goraega jeogie isseoyo.
There is a whale over there.
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
고래 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 고래
How do you pronounce 고래?
고래 is pronounced [ko̞ɾɛ] in Korean. In 고래: Make a quick tongue-tip contact between the surrounding sounds. Its realization depends on position. Listen to the word on its own, then compare it with the example sentence.
What should I listen for first?
In 고래: Make a quick tongue-tip contact between the surrounding sounds. Its realization depends on position. Start at 0.75×, then return to 1.00× to hear the natural rhythm.
