Patrick, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 패 | ㅍ + ㅐ | ㅍ p ㅐ ae, like the a in “cat” | pae |
| 트 | ㅌ + ㅡ | ㅌ t ㅡ eu, like “oo” said with spread lips | teu |
| 릭 | ㄹ + ㅣ + ㄱ | ㄹ r (a light, flapped r) ㅣ i, as in “see” ㄱ k (unreleased) at the end | rik |
Why Patrick 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: 트. Say it lightly — it is barely heard.
- The short “a” of “cat” is written ㅐ (ae): 패.
- Patrick ends in a consonant, so it sits at the bottom of the last block as a final consonant (받침): 릭 has ㄱ at the bottom.
Introducing yourself
The ending after your name depends on how it ends in Korean. 패트릭 ends in a consonant (ㄱ, ㄴ, ㄹ…) at the bottom of the last block, so you say 제 이름은 패트릭이에요 (je ireumeun paeteurigieyo). With friends, Koreans add 아 (a) when calling someone by name. At work, coworkers will usually call you 패트릭 씨 or 패트릭 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.