Korean · Difficult words
How to pronounce 쓰레기 in Korean
쓰레기
Romanization: sseuregi
Trash
Standard South Korean; reference: SK-Standard, Seoul · Choose 1.00× to hear the original pace.
쓰레기 is pronounced [s͈ɯɾe̞ɡi] in Korean. In 쓰레기: 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 쓰레기
The reference transcription for 쓰레기 is [s͈ɯɾe̞ɡi]. 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 쓰레기: 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.The eu vowel
In 쓰레기: 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.
3.The Korean flap /ɾ/
In 쓰레기: 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
쓰레기를 버려 주세요.
sseuregireul beoryeo juseyo.
Please throw away the trash.
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
쓰레기 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 쓰레기
How do you pronounce 쓰레기?
쓰레기 is pronounced [s͈ɯɾe̞ɡi] in Korean. In 쓰레기: 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 쓰레기: 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.
