Korean · Difficult words
How to pronounce 코끼리 in Korean
코끼리
Romanization: kokkiri
Elephant
Standard South Korean; reference: SK-Standard, Seoul · Choose 1.00× to hear the original pace.
코끼리 is pronounced [kʰo̞k͈iɾi] in Korean. In 코끼리: Make the consonant with firmer articulation and very little escaping air. The doubled vertical mark /͈/ indicates tension. Listen to the word on its own, then compare it with the example sentence.
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Find the sounds in 코끼리
The reference transcription for 코끼리 is [kʰo̞k͈iɾi]. 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.Tense consonants
In 코끼리: Make the consonant with firmer articulation and very little escaping air. The doubled vertical mark /͈/ indicates tension.
Watch out: Louder speech alone does not create a tense consonant. Keep it distinct from an aspirated consonant.
2.Aspirated consonants
In 코끼리: 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.
3.The Korean flap /ɾ/
In 코끼리: 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.
Hear it in context
코끼리가 저기에 있어요.
kokkiriga jeogie isseoyo.
There is an elephant 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
코끼리 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 코끼리
How do you pronounce 코끼리?
코끼리 is pronounced [kʰo̞k͈iɾi] in Korean. In 코끼리: Make the consonant with firmer articulation and very little escaping air. The doubled vertical mark /͈/ indicates tension. Listen to the word on its own, then compare it with the example sentence.
What should I listen for first?
In 코끼리: Make the consonant with firmer articulation and very little escaping air. The doubled vertical mark /͈/ indicates tension. Start at 0.75×, then return to 1.00× to hear the natural rhythm.
