Korean · Difficult words
How to pronounce 지하철 in Korean
지하철
Romanization: jihacheol
Subway (metro)
Standard South Korean; reference: SK-Standard, Seoul · Choose 1.00× to hear the original pace.
지하철 is pronounced [t͡ɕiɦa̠t͡ɕʰʌ̹ɭ] in Korean. In 지하철: Let a clear puff of air follow the consonant marked /ʰ/. Keep the next vowel connected to it. Listen to the word on its own, then compare it with the example sentence.
Explore the app’s available speaking languages
Find the sounds in 지하철
The reference transcription for 지하철 is [t͡ɕiɦa̠t͡ɕʰʌ̹ɭ]. 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.Aspirated consonants
In 지하철: Let a clear puff of air follow the consonant marked /ʰ/. Keep the next vowel connected to it.
Watch out: Do not confuse the breathy release with the tight, low-airflow tense consonants.
2.The eo vowel /ʌ/
In 지하철: Use a single open back-to-central vowel. The spelling “eo” in romanization represents one vowel.
Watch out: Do not read eo as an e followed by o.
3.Front-vowel position
In 지하철: 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
지하철을 타고 왔어요.
jihacheoreul tago wasseoyo.
I came by subway.
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
지하철 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 지하철
How do you pronounce 지하철?
지하철 is pronounced [t͡ɕiɦa̠t͡ɕʰʌ̹ɭ] in Korean. In 지하철: Let a clear puff of air follow the consonant marked /ʰ/. Keep the next vowel connected to it. Listen to the word on its own, then compare it with the example sentence.
What should I listen for first?
In 지하철: Let a clear puff of air follow the consonant marked /ʰ/. Keep the next vowel connected to it. Start at 0.75×, then return to 1.00× to hear the natural rhythm.
