Steven, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 스 | ㅅ + ㅡ | ㅅ s ㅡ eu, like “oo” said with spread lips | seu |
| 티 | ㅌ + ㅣ | ㅌ t ㅣ i, as in “see” | ti |
| 븐 | ㅂ + ㅡ + ㄴ | ㅂ b ㅡ eu, like “oo” said with spread lips ㄴ n at the end | beun |
Why Steven 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.
- Korean has no “v” sound, so ㅂ (b) is used: 븐.
- Steven ends in a consonant, so it sits at the bottom of the last block as a final consonant (받침): 븐 has ㄴ at the bottom.
- Fun fact: Stephen is written exactly the same way in Korean — 스티븐.
Introducing yourself
The ending after your name depends on how it ends in Korean. 스티븐 ends in a consonant (ㄱ, ㄴ, ㄹ…) at the bottom of the last block, so you say 제 이름은 스티븐이에요 (je ireumeun seutibeunieyo). With friends, Koreans add 아 (a) when calling someone by name. At work, coworkers will usually call you 스티븐 씨 or 스티븐 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.