Korean · Difficult words
How to pronounce 하늘 in Korean
하늘
Romanization: haneul
Sky
Standard South Korean; reference: SK-Standard, Seoul · Choose 1.00× to hear the original pace.
하늘 is pronounced [ha̠nɯɭ] in Korean. In 하늘: 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 하늘
The reference transcription for 하늘 is [ha̠nɯɭ]. 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 하늘: 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.An open vowel
In 하늘: 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
하늘이 정말 파래요.
haneuri jeongmal paraeyo.
The sky is really blue.
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
하늘 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 하늘
How do you pronounce 하늘?
하늘 is pronounced [ha̠nɯɭ] in Korean. In 하늘: 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 하늘: 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.
