Freddie, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 프 | ㅍ + ㅡ | ㅍ p ㅡ eu, like “oo” said with spread lips | peu |
| 레 | ㄹ + ㅔ | ㄹ r (a light, flapped r) ㅔ e, as in “bed” | re |
| 디 | ㄷ + ㅣ | ㄷ d ㅣ i, as in “see” | di |
Why Freddie is written this way
- Korean has one letter, ㄹ, for both “r” and “l”. At the start of a syllable it is a light, flapped sound between the two; at the end of a block it sounds like “l”.
- Korean syllables can’t end in most consonant sounds, and two consonants can’t start one, so a soft ㅡ (eu) is added: 프. Say it lightly — it is barely heard.
- Korean has no “f” sound, so it becomes a “p” sound — ㅍ, or ㅂ at the bottom of a block.
Introducing yourself
The ending after your name depends on how it ends in Korean. 프레디 ends in a vowel, so you say 제 이름은 프레디예요 (je ireumeun peurediyeyo). With friends, Koreans add 야 (ya) when calling someone by name. At work, coworkers will usually call you 프레디 씨 or 프레디 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.