Korean · Difficult words
How to pronounce 구름 in Korean
구름
Romanization: gureum
Cloud
Standard South Korean; reference: SK-Standard, Seoul · Choose 1.00× to hear the original pace.
구름 is pronounced [kuɾɯm] in Korean. In 구름: 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 구름
The reference transcription for 구름 is [kuɾɯm]. 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 구름: 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.
2.The Korean flap /ɾ/
In 구름: 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.
3.Back rounded vowels
In 구름: 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
구름이 많아요.
gureumi manhayo.
There are many clouds.
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
구름 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 구름
How do you pronounce 구름?
구름 is pronounced [kuɾɯm] in Korean. In 구름: 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 구름: 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.
