Alice, letter by letter
Hangul is written in blocks. Each block is one syllable, built from a consonant, a vowel and sometimes a final consonant at the bottom.
| Block | Letters | How each letter sounds | Sound |
|---|---|---|---|
| 앨 | ㅇ + ㅐ + ㄹ | ㅇ silent at the start ㅐ ae, like the a in “cat” ㄹ l at the end | ael |
| 리 | ㄹ + ㅣ | ㄹ l (after another ㄹ) ㅣ i, as in “see” | ri |
| 스 | ㅅ + ㅡ | ㅅ s ㅡ eu, like “oo” said with spread lips | seu |
Why Alice is written this way
- Between vowels, the “l” sound is written with two ㄹ — 앨리 — so it stays a clear “l”. A single ㄹ there would sound more like a soft “r”.
- Korean syllables can’t end in most consonant sounds, and two consonants can’t start one, so a soft ㅡ (eu) is added: 스. Say it lightly — it is barely heard.
- The short “a” of “cat” is written ㅐ (ae): 앨.
Introducing yourself
The ending after your name depends on how it ends in Korean. 앨리스 ends in a vowel, so you say 제 이름은 앨리스예요 (je ireumeun aelliseuyeyo). With friends, Koreans add 야 (ya) when calling someone by name. At work, coworkers will usually call you 앨리스 씨 or 앨리스 님.
Official documents such as your residence card use your name in English letters, as in your passport. The Hangul spelling is what friends, coworkers and baristas will write.