Kate, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 케 | ㅋ + ㅔ | ㅋ k ㅔ e, as in “bed” | ke |
| 이 | ㅇ + ㅣ | ㅇ silent at the start ㅣ i, as in “see” | i |
| 트 | ㅌ + ㅡ | ㅌ t ㅡ eu, like “oo” said with spread lips | teu |
Why Kate 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: 트. Say it lightly — it is barely heard.
- The “ay” sound of “day” is written as two vowels, 에 + 이: 케이.
- Say each block evenly. Korean doesn’t stress one syllable over the others the way English does, so Kate sounds like ke-i-teu.
Introducing yourself
The ending after your name depends on how it ends in Korean. 케이트 ends in a vowel, so you say 제 이름은 케이트예요 (je ireumeun keiteuyeyo). With friends, Koreans add 야 (ya) when calling someone by name. At work, coworkers will usually call you 케이트 씨 or 케이트 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.