[Korean Pronunciation] How to pronounce "ㅅ"? Why "ㅅ" sometimes sounds like [t] instead of [s]?

Are you always confused the Korean pronunciation "ㄹ" [ l / r ] or "ㅅ" [ s / t ]?

Why you should learn "한글" (Hangeul), Korean alphabet?

If you struggle often with this issue, it would be better for you to learn "한글" (Hangeul).

The Korean alphabets, known as "한글" (Hangeul) , is a writing and phonetic system for the Korean language.

"Romanization" and "IPA" pronunciation systems are the helping sound for foreign learners to remember Korean pronunciation.

The pronunciation from "Romanization" and "IPA" are not 100% match with "한글" (Hangeul).

And this makes learners have hard time during learning Korean pronunciation.

Learn more (click here) >> What is 이에요 / 예요 in Korean grammar?

Before starting today's lesson, I want to recommend you to learn basic "한글" (Hangeul), Korean its own phonetic from my YouTube.

Korean characters change the sound depending on the location in the word.
That's why you can see "ㅅ" [siot] sometimes pronounces as [s] or [t].
Let’s get clear when "ㅅ" [siot] should pronounce as [s] or [t].

When "ㅅ" [siot] comes at the beginning of the syllable, it will be pronounced as [s].

Learn more (click here) >> Learn Korean with Blackpink

I will provide 3 types of combination about the "ㅅ" location.

Words of example

사람 [sa.ram] person

사랑 [sa.rang] love

사진 [sa.jin] picture

사전 [sa.jeon] dictionary

사업 [sa.eob] business

사장 [sa.jang] boss

사인 [sa.in] sign

사자 [sa.ja] lion

사과 [sa.gwa] apple

사탕 [sa.tang] candy

Read more (click here) >> Learn more Korean language

Words of example

버스 [beo.seu] bus

키스 [ki.seu] kiss

주스 [ju.seu] juice

박스 [bak.seu] box

소스 [so.seu] sauce

캠퍼스 [kaem.peo.seu] campus

테니스 [te.ni.seu] tennis

플러스 [peul.leo.seu] plus

서비스 [seo.bi.seu] service

마이너스 [ma.i.neo.seu] minus

Words of example

수영 [su.yeong] swimming

수건 [su.geon] towel

수업 [su.eop] class

수학 [su.hak] mathmetics

수술 [su.sul] surgery

수박 [su.bak] watermelon

수량 [su.ryang] amount

수영복 [su.yeong.bok] swimsuit

수영장 [su.yeong.jang] swimming pool

수요일 [su.yo.il] Wednesday

Rules of 받침 [bat.chim]

What is 받침 [bat.chim] ?

받침 [bat.chim] is the final consonant at the end of Korean syllable.

The 받침 [bat.chim] is written in the bottom position.

For example

When "ㅅ" [siot] comes at the end of the syllable, it will be pronounced as [t].
We call the end of "ㅅ" as 받침 [bat.chim].

Words of example

옷 [ot] clothes

못 [mot] not

셋 [set] three

뜻 [tteut] intention

낫 [nat] scythe

맛 [mat] taste

갓 [gat] gat

핫 [hat] hot

깃털 [git.teol] feather

비옷 [bi.ot] raincoat

연음 법칙 Korean Linking Sound

A linking sound is a bottom consonant 받침 [bat.chim] from a block, linking with the beginning sound in the next block. (▼)

연음 법칙 Korean Linking Sound

Explanation▲

When the end of consonant "ㅅ" [siot] meets "o" , "ㅅ" will move to the next block.
And "ㅅ" will be pronounced as [s].

Words of example

맛있어요. pronounces as [마시써요] [ma.si.sseo.yo]

손 씻었어요? pronounces as [손 씨서써요] [son. ssi.seo.sseo.yo]

옷을 pronounces as [오슬] [o.seul]

옷이 pronounces as [오시] [o.si]

Practice Quiz

Try if you know correct "ㅅ" pronunciation

1. 전 한국말 잘 못해요 .

2. 옷이 많아요.

3. 옷 있어요.

4. 어디 살아요?

5. 왜 웃어요?

6. 안 웃겨.

7. 옷이 없어요.

8. BTS 콘서트 티켓 벌써 매진이야.

Answers

8. BTS 콘서트 티켓 벌써 매진이야.

[bts kon.seo.teu ti.ket beol.sseo mae.jin.i.ya]

BTS concert tickets are already sold out.

7. 옷이 없어요.
[o.si eop.seo.yo]
I don't have clothes.

6. 안 웃겨.
[an ut.ggyeo]
It's not funny.

5. 왜 웃어요?
[wae u.seo.yo]
Why are you laughing?

4. 어디 살아요?
[eo.di sa.ra.yo]
Where do you live?

3. 옷 있어요.
[ot i.sseo.yo]
I have clothes.

▲Notice:
When there is space between "옷" and "있" , the "ㅅ" [siot] from "옷" no need to move to the next block.

2. 옷이 많아요.

[o.si.ma.na.yo]
I have many clothes.

1.전 한국말 잘 못해요 .

[jeon han.guk.mal jal mo.tae.yo]

I am not good at speaking Korean.