Jasmine, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 재 | ㅈ + ㅐ | ㅈ j ㅐ ae, like the a in “cat” | jae |
| 스 | ㅅ + ㅡ | ㅅ s ㅡ eu, like “oo” said with spread lips | seu |
| 민 | ㅁ + ㅣ + ㄴ | ㅁ m ㅣ i, as in “see” ㄴ n at the end | min |
Why Jasmine is written this way
- 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): 재.
- Jasmine ends in a consonant, so it sits at the bottom of the last block as a final consonant (받침): 민 has ㄴ at the bottom.
Introducing yourself
The ending after your name depends on how it ends in Korean. 재스민 ends in a consonant (ㄱ, ㄴ, ㄹ…) at the bottom of the last block, so you say 제 이름은 재스민이에요 (je ireumeun jaeseuminieyo). With friends, Koreans add 아 (a) when calling someone by name. At work, coworkers will usually call you 재스민 씨 or 재스민 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.