Jordan, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 조 | ㅈ + ㅗ | ㅈ j ㅗ o, as in “go” (shorter) | jo |
| 던 | ㄷ + ㅓ + ㄴ | ㄷ d ㅓ eo, like the u in “up” ㄴ n at the end | deon |
Why Jordan is written this way
- The “r” in Jordan is not written. In Korean spelling, an “r” after a vowel is silent — much like in British English.
- The relaxed “uh” sound — like the u in “fun” or the -er in “Peter” — is written ㅓ (eo): 던.
- Jordan ends in a consonant, so it sits at the bottom of the last block as a final consonant (받침): 던 has ㄴ at the bottom.
Introducing yourself
The ending after your name depends on how it ends in Korean. 조던 ends in a consonant (ㄱ, ㄴ, ㄹ…) at the bottom of the last block, so you say 제 이름은 조던이에요 (je ireumeun jodeonieyo). With friends, Koreans add 아 (a) when calling someone by name. At work, coworkers will usually call you 조던 씨 or 조던 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.