Your goal
Join familiar written parts to make seven vowels. Try 와, 워, 왜, 웨, 외, 위 and 의 with ㅇ, then find those vowels in words.
Before you start
You placed ㅗ, ㅜ and ㅡ below the consonant, and ㅏ, ㅓ, ㅐ, ㅔ and ㅣ on its right. Now explore shapes that use both positions.
Explore the situation
| Lower part | Right-hand part | Combined form |
|---|---|---|
| ㅗ | ㅏ | ㅘ |
| ㅜ | ㅓ | ㅝ |
| ㅗ | ㅐ | ㅙ |
| ㅜ | ㅔ | ㅞ |
| ㅗ | ㅣ | ㅚ |
| ㅜ | ㅣ | ㅟ |
| ㅡ | ㅣ | ㅢ |
The written parts ㅗ + ㅏ form ㅘ. With ㅇ, it makes one block 와—not two blocks 오아.
Learn the key points
ㅘ · ㅝ
| Vowel | Combination |
|---|---|
| ㅘ | ㅇ + ㅘ = 와 |
| ㅝ | ㅇ + ㅝ = 워 |
ㅙ · ㅞ
| Vowel | Combination |
|---|---|
| ㅙ | ㅇ + ㅙ = 왜 |
| ㅞ | ㅇ + ㅞ = 웨 |
ㅚ · ㅟ · ㅢ
| Vowel | Combination |
|---|---|
| ㅚ | ㅇ + ㅚ = 외 |
| ㅟ | ㅇ + ㅟ = 위 |
| ㅢ | ㅇ + ㅢ = 의 |
ㅙ and ㅞ contain the written forms ㅐ and ㅔ from the previous lesson. ㅚ, ㅟ and ㅢ all have ㅣ on the right but different lower parts.
See the complete reference
| Vowel | Combination |
|---|---|
| ㅘ | ㅇ + ㅘ = 와 |
| ㅝ | ㅇ + ㅝ = 워 |
| ㅙ | ㅇ + ㅙ = 왜 |
| ㅞ | ㅇ + ㅞ = 웨 |
| ㅚ | ㅇ + ㅚ = 외 |
| ㅟ | ㅇ + ㅟ = 위 |
| ㅢ | ㅇ + ㅢ = 의 |
Listen and read
Use the written cards with the audio. Check the lower parts of ㅚ, ㅟ and ㅢ; try the other four forms as one block each.
Compare the sounds
Try it with help
Practise in small groups
ㅘ · ㅝ
ㅜ + ㅓ = ?
- ㅘ
- ㅝ
- ㅙ
ㅙ · ㅞ
ㅗ + ㅐ = ?
- ㅞ
- ㅙ
- ㅚ
ㅚ · ㅟ · ㅢ
ㅡ + ㅣ = ?
- ㅟ
- ㅚ
- ㅢ
Put the groups together
Changing the vowel changes its lower and right-hand parts. Compare ㅗ + ㅐ → ㅙ with ㅜ + ㅔ → ㅞ, then compare the three forms with ㅣ on the right.
Examples by condition
| Consonant | Vowel | Final consonant | Syllable |
|---|---|---|---|
| ㅇ | ㅘ | None | 와 |
| ㅇ | ㅝ | None | 워 |
| ㅇ | ㅙ | None | 왜 |
| ㅇ | ㅞ | None | 웨 |
| ㅇ | ㅚ | None | 외 |
| ㅇ | ㅟ | None | 위 |
| ㅇ | ㅢ | None | 의 |
Practice
First check four vowel combinations. Look at the lower and right-hand parts separately.
1. Combine the written parts ㅗ + ㅏ.
- ㅝ
- ㅘ
- ㅙ
2. Combine the written parts ㅜ + ㅓ.
- ㅝ
- ㅞ
- ㅘ
3. Combine the written parts ㅗ + ㅐ.
- ㅚ
- ㅞ
- ㅙ
4. Combine the written parts ㅜ + ㅔ.
- ㅟ
- ㅞ
- ㅝ
Try a new situation
The first seven items combine vowels; the next seven find them in words. Learn the new meanings below first. An unfamiliar meaning is not counted as a reading error.
Connect meanings first
사과
사과: an apple, a fruit.
더워요
더워요: a way to say it is hot. Focus on the written 워 here, not a new grammar rule.
왜
왜: why, used to ask for a reason.
웨이터
웨이터: a waiter, a person who serves food in a restaurant.
외우다
외우다: to memorize something you learn.
귀
귀: an ear, the part of the body used for hearing.
의자
의자: a chair, a piece of furniture to sit on.
7 combinations · 7 word searches
1. Choose the combined vowel letter. After checking, read its syllable with ㅇ.
ㅗ + ㅏ
- ㅙ
- ㅘ
- ㅝ
2. Choose the combined vowel letter. After checking, read its syllable with ㅇ.
ㅜ + ㅓ
- ㅞ
- ㅟ
- ㅝ
3. Choose the combined vowel letter. After checking, read its syllable with ㅇ.
ㅗ + ㅐ
- ㅚ
- ㅙ
- ㅞ
4. Choose the combined vowel letter. After checking, read its syllable with ㅇ.
ㅜ + ㅔ
- ㅞ
- ㅙ
- ㅝ
5. Choose the combined vowel letter. After checking, read its syllable with ㅇ.
ㅗ + ㅣ
- ㅚ
- ㅟ
- ㅢ
6. Choose the combined vowel letter. After checking, read its syllable with ㅇ.
ㅜ + ㅣ
- ㅢ
- ㅟ
- ㅚ
7. Choose the combined vowel letter. After checking, read its syllable with ㅇ.
ㅡ + ㅣ
- ㅟ
- ㅚ
- ㅢ
8. In 사과, choose only the vowel of 과.
사과
사과: an apple, a fruit.
- ㅙ
- ㅘ
- ㅚ
9. In 더워요, choose only the vowel of 워.
더워요
더워요: a way to say it is hot. Focus on the written 워 here, not a new grammar rule.
- ㅟ
- ㅝ
- ㅞ
10. In 왜, choose only the vowel of 왜.
왜
왜: why, used to ask for a reason.
- ㅚ
- ㅙ
- ㅢ
11. In 웨이터, choose only the vowel of 웨.
웨이터
웨이터: a waiter, a person who serves food in a restaurant.
- ㅘ
- ㅞ
- ㅟ
12. In 외우다, choose only the vowel of 외.
외우다
외우다: to memorize something you learn.
- ㅢ
- ㅚ
- ㅝ
13. In 귀, choose only the vowel of 귀.
귀
귀: an ear, the part of the body used for hearing.
- ㅙ
- ㅟ
- ㅘ
14. In 의자, choose only the vowel of 의.
의자
의자: a chair, a piece of furniture to sit on.
- ㅝ
- ㅢ
- ㅞ
Check your learning
Use six questions to check which written parts still confuse you. Record your own reading as a self-check.
1. Combine the written parts ㅗ + ㅣ.
- ㅚ
- ㅟ
- ㅢ
2. Combine the written parts ㅜ + ㅣ.
- ㅚ
- ㅢ
- ㅟ
3. Combine the written parts ㅡ + ㅣ.
- ㅟ
- ㅢ
- ㅚ
4. ㅇ + ㅙ = ?
- 웨
- 왜
- 외
5. Choose the vowel in 과 in 사과.
- ㅘ
- ㅝ
- ㅚ
6. Choose the vowel in the first syllable 의 of 의자.
- ㅟ
- ㅚ
- ㅢ
Reflect on your reading
Tick only what you actually checked. Feedback from another person is optional and is not required to finish the lesson.
Answers and explanations
Show answers and explanations
Practice questions
1. Combine the written parts ㅗ + ㅏ.
Answer: ㅘ
The written parts of ㅘ are ㅗ + ㅏ.
- ㅝ — The written parts of ㅝ are ㅜ + ㅓ.
- ㅙ — The written parts of ㅙ are ㅗ + ㅐ.
2. Combine the written parts ㅜ + ㅓ.
Answer: ㅝ
The written parts of ㅝ are ㅜ + ㅓ.
- ㅞ — The written parts of ㅞ are ㅜ + ㅔ.
- ㅘ — The written parts of ㅘ are ㅗ + ㅏ.
3. Combine the written parts ㅗ + ㅐ.
Answer: ㅙ
The written parts of ㅙ are ㅗ + ㅐ.
- ㅚ — The written parts of ㅚ are ㅗ + ㅣ.
- ㅞ — The written parts of ㅞ are ㅜ + ㅔ.
4. Combine the written parts ㅜ + ㅔ.
Answer: ㅞ
The written parts of ㅞ are ㅜ + ㅔ.
- ㅟ — The written parts of ㅟ are ㅜ + ㅣ.
- ㅝ — The written parts of ㅝ are ㅜ + ㅓ.
Learning check
1. Combine the written parts ㅗ + ㅣ.
Answer: ㅚ
The written parts of ㅚ are ㅗ + ㅣ.
- ㅟ — The written parts of ㅟ are ㅜ + ㅣ.
- ㅢ — The written parts of ㅢ are ㅡ + ㅣ.
2. Combine the written parts ㅜ + ㅣ.
Answer: ㅟ
The written parts of ㅟ are ㅜ + ㅣ.
- ㅚ — The written parts of ㅚ are ㅗ + ㅣ.
- ㅢ — The written parts of ㅢ are ㅡ + ㅣ.
3. Combine the written parts ㅡ + ㅣ.
Answer: ㅢ
The written parts of ㅢ are ㅡ + ㅣ.
- ㅟ — The written parts of ㅟ are ㅜ + ㅣ.
- ㅚ — The written parts of ㅚ are ㅗ + ㅣ.
4. ㅇ + ㅙ = ?
Answer: 왜
왜 combines ㅇ and ㅙ in one syllable block.
- 웨 — 웨 combines ㅇ and ㅞ in one syllable block.
- 외 — 외 combines ㅇ and ㅚ in one syllable block.
5. Choose the vowel in 과 in 사과.
Answer: ㅘ
The written parts of ㅘ are ㅗ + ㅏ.
- ㅝ — The written parts of ㅝ are ㅜ + ㅓ.
- ㅚ — The written parts of ㅚ are ㅗ + ㅣ.
6. Choose the vowel in the first syllable 의 of 의자.
Answer: ㅢ
The written parts of ㅢ are ㅡ + ㅣ.
- ㅟ — The written parts of ㅟ are ㅜ + ㅣ.
- ㅚ — The written parts of ㅚ are ㅗ + ㅣ.
Practise in small groups
ㅜ + ㅓ = ?
ㅝ
ㅗ + ㅐ = ?
ㅙ
ㅡ + ㅣ = ?
ㅢ
1. Choose the combined vowel letter. After checking, read its syllable with ㅇ.
ㅗ + ㅏ ·
Answer: ㅘ
The written parts of ㅘ are ㅗ + ㅏ.
Now try reading it: 와
2. Choose the combined vowel letter. After checking, read its syllable with ㅇ.
ㅜ + ㅓ ·
Answer: ㅝ
The written parts of ㅝ are ㅜ + ㅓ.
Now try reading it: 워
3. Choose the combined vowel letter. After checking, read its syllable with ㅇ.
ㅗ + ㅐ ·
Answer: ㅙ
The written parts of ㅙ are ㅗ + ㅐ.
Now try reading it: 왜
4. Choose the combined vowel letter. After checking, read its syllable with ㅇ.
ㅜ + ㅔ ·
Answer: ㅞ
The written parts of ㅞ are ㅜ + ㅔ.
Now try reading it: 웨
5. Choose the combined vowel letter. After checking, read its syllable with ㅇ.
ㅗ + ㅣ ·
Answer: ㅚ
The written parts of ㅚ are ㅗ + ㅣ.
Now try reading it: 외
6. Choose the combined vowel letter. After checking, read its syllable with ㅇ.
ㅜ + ㅣ ·
Answer: ㅟ
The written parts of ㅟ are ㅜ + ㅣ.
Now try reading it: 위
7. Choose the combined vowel letter. After checking, read its syllable with ㅇ.
ㅡ + ㅣ ·
Answer: ㅢ
The written parts of ㅢ are ㅡ + ㅣ.
Now try reading it: 의
8. In 사과, choose only the vowel of 과.
사과 · 사과: an apple, a fruit.
Answer: ㅘ
The written parts of ㅘ are ㅗ + ㅏ.
Now try reading it: 사과
9. In 더워요, choose only the vowel of 워.
더워요 · 더워요: a way to say it is hot. Focus on the written 워 here, not a new grammar rule.
Answer: ㅝ
The written parts of ㅝ are ㅜ + ㅓ.
Now try reading it: 더워요
10. In 왜, choose only the vowel of 왜.
왜 · 왜: why, used to ask for a reason.
Answer: ㅙ
The written parts of ㅙ are ㅗ + ㅐ.
Now try reading it: 왜
11. In 웨이터, choose only the vowel of 웨.
웨이터 · 웨이터: a waiter, a person who serves food in a restaurant.
Answer: ㅞ
The written parts of ㅞ are ㅜ + ㅔ.
Now try reading it: 웨이터
12. In 외우다, choose only the vowel of 외.
외우다 · 외우다: to memorize something you learn.
Answer: ㅚ
The written parts of ㅚ are ㅗ + ㅣ.
Now try reading it: 외우다
13. In 귀, choose only the vowel of 귀.
귀 · 귀: an ear, the part of the body used for hearing.
Answer: ㅟ
The written parts of ㅟ are ㅜ + ㅣ.
Now try reading it: 귀
14. In 의자, choose only the vowel of 의.
의자 · 의자: a chair, a piece of furniture to sit on.
Answer: ㅢ
The written parts of ㅢ are ㅡ + ㅣ.
Now try reading it: 의자
Review and continue
Come back to these
Review this lesson
Write two difficult forms from ㅘ, ㅝ, ㅙ, ㅞ, ㅚ, ㅟ and ㅢ.
Recall before looking
Recall the vowel letters for ㅗ + ㅐ and ㅜ + ㅔ.
A different order
Find the combined vowel letters in 사과, 귀 and 의자.
Connect earlier learning
Write 가/까, 개/게 and 와/워; compare their letter structures.
Review what felt difficult
Review ㅐ and ㅔReview the shapes used in ㅙ and ㅞ. →Review the combined layoutCheck the lower and right-hand parts in the builder. →Repeat an activity whenever you need more practice.