In this lesson we will talk about consonant assimilation. Specifically, nasal assimilation, R/L assimilation, and liquidation. Consonant assimilation is when one consonant at the end of a syllable is followed by another consonant at the beginning of a syllable which causes one or both of the consonants to be pronounced differently. This only occurs in specific circumstances involving only some combinations of letters. I will show you which ones you need to learn, but first I think it is best to start out with an example:
합니다
This is a very commonly used Korean word. It basically means "do" and Koreans use it often as an ending for verbs. You will see it lot as you continue studying Korean, but first, let's figure out how to pronounce it.
The first syllable seems to be "HAB" but the ㅂ in the batchim is actually pronounced like P so it is "HAP"
the 2nd syllable is "NI"
the 3rd syllable is "DA"
So, you might think this word is pronounced "HAPNIDA" but, you'd be wrong because this combination of letters is subject to CONSONANT ASSIMILATION. Which means one or both of them get a different pronunciation.
Now let's learn which combinations of letters get their pronunciations changed because of Consonant assimilation.
In the initial position of a following syllable you need to watch out for these letters: "ㅁ", "ㄴ", and "ㄹ". These letters will cause the pronunciation of a consonant in the final position of the previous syllable to change, but only sometimes. It depends on what that final consonant is.
In the final position of the leading syllable, there are many letters you need to watch for. Let me simplify it, as best I can, by describing them as sounds rather than letters. The sounds you need to watch for are the "P", "T", or "K" sounds on the bottom. Now, remember your batchim pronunciation rules there are more than just three letters that can make these sounds. A "P" sound can come from ㅍ,ㅂ, the combination ㅂㅅ, or the combination ㄹㅍ. The "T" sound comes from ㅌ,ㄷ ,ㅊ,ㅈ ,ㅅ, or ㅆ. The " K" sound can come from ㅋ,ㄱ, ㄲ, or the combination ㄹㄱ.
Let's start learning how to pronounce these three sounds when followed by ㅁ, ㄴ, or ㄹ
First the "P" sound. When the "P" sound is followed by an ㅁ the "P" sound is pronounced as an "M" as well.
When the "P" sound is followed by an ㄴ the "P" sound, again, is pronounced as "M", and the ㄴ stays as an "N".
When the "P" sound is followed by an ㄹ once again the "P" sound becomes an "M" sound AND the ㄹ becomes an "N" sound.
Now let's learn what happens to the "T" sound. When it precedes an ㅁ the "T" sound is pronounced like an "N" and the ㅁ remains as an "M".
When the "T" sound is followed by an ㄴ the "T" sound, again, turns into an "N" and the ㄴ remains prounced as an "N"
Now, when the "T" sound precedes an ㄹ the "T" sound turns into an "N" sound once again and the ㄹ is pronounced as an "N" just like what happened when it followed the "P" sound.
Finally, there is the "K" sound. When a "K" sound precedes ㅁ the "K" sound is pronounced as an "NG" and the ㅁ remains as an "M".
When a "K" sound precedes ㄴ it is pronounced as "NG" and the ㄴ remains as "N".
and lastly, when a "K" sound precedes ㄹ the "K" sound once again gets pronounced as "NG" and the ㄹ is pronounced as "N".
Now let's look at a chart of all these cases:
Do you notice a pattern?
The "P" sound turns into an "M" sound when , followed by the ㅁ, ㄴ, or ㄹ
The "T" sound turns into an "N" sound when followed by ㅁ, ㄴ, or ㄹ
The "K" sound turns into an "NG" sound when followed by ㅁ, ㄴ, or ㄹ
ㅁ and ㄴ stay the same, and the ㄹ turns into an "N" sound when preceded by "P", "T", or "K" sounds.
Hopefully, this pattern makes it easy for you to remember. But we're not done yet. ㄹ goes on turning into "N" in the following situations:
When it is preceded by ㅁ and when it is preceded by ㅇ
But, then things take a little twist when ㄹ meets a real ㄴ because...
when an ㄹ either follows or precedes ㄴ it stays as "R/L" and it is the ㄴ which turns into "R/L".
Now let's go back to our example:
합니다
We thought this word might be pronounced HAPNIDA but since we have a "P" sound at the end of one syllable and an "N" sound at the beginning of the next that means: Consonant Assimilation. Let's go back and look at the chart we made and see what it says. According to our chart a "P" sound at the end of a syllable + an ㄴ at the beginning of the next syllable is pronounced as an "M" "N" sound
So these two syllables are pronounced "HAM" "NI"
and the third syllable is still "DA"
This word is pronounced "Hamnida"
So let's sum up the rules for consonant assimilation:
When followed by an ㅁ, ㄴ, orㄹ
a "P" sound turns into "M"
a "T" sound turns into "N"
a "K" sound turns into "NG"
and an ㄹ when preceded by a "P" sound, "T" sound, "K" sound, ㅁ, or ㅇ turns into an "N"
but when ㄹ either precedes or follows a real ㄴ it turns the ㄴ into an "R/L"
You might find it a little tricky to recognize when you need to use consonant assimilation because you are looking across two syllables and there are 13 different sound combinations you need to watch for. But, as always, I promise to do my best in pointing out and reminding you of these pronunciation rules in future lessons. I also created a chart for you to reference or memorize. Remember it gets easier the more you practice. I made you a list of words that you can try to pronounce using your new found skill of consonant assimilation. Thanks for studying with me.
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