Korean · Difficult words
How to pronounce 호랑이 in Korean
호랑이
Romanization: horang'i
Tiger
Standard South Korean; reference: SK-Standard, Seoul · Choose 1.00× to hear the original pace.
호랑이 is pronounced [ˈɸʷo̞(ː)ɾa̠ŋi] in Korean. In 호랑이: 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 호랑이
The reference transcription for 호랑이 is [ˈɸʷo̞(ː)ɾa̠ŋi]. 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 호랑이: 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 호랑이: 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.Front-vowel position
In 호랑이: Listen for the distinction between the closer /i/ and the more relaxed /ɪ/ when shown. Keep your tongue toward the front.
Watch out: Do not decide vowel quality from English spelling alone.
Hear it in context
호랑이가 저기에 있어요.
horangiga jeogie isseoyo.
There is a tiger 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
호랑이 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 호랑이
How do you pronounce 호랑이?
호랑이 is pronounced [ˈɸʷo̞(ː)ɾa̠ŋi] in Korean. In 호랑이: 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 호랑이: 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.
