Korean · Difficult words
How to pronounce 일흔 in Korean
일흔
Romanization: ilheun
Seventy
Standard South Korean; reference: SK-Standard, Seoul · Choose 1.00× to hear the original pace.
일흔 is pronounced [iɾɣɯn] in Korean. In 일흔: 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 일흔
The reference transcription for 일흔 is [iɾɣɯn]. 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 일흔: 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 일흔: 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.Front-vowel position
In 일흔: 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
일흔 개가 필요해요.
ilheun gaega piryohaeyo.
I need 70 items.
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
일흔 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 일흔
How do you pronounce 일흔?
일흔 is pronounced [iɾɣɯn] in Korean. In 일흔: 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 일흔: 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.
