Batchim Basics
Recognize batchim — the closing consonant under a syllable block — and identify its 7 representative sounds.
Batchim: a consonant that closes the syllable
So far every syllable block you've read has ended in an open vowel sound. Korean can add a third piece underneath the consonant + vowel: a closing consonant called 받침 (batchim). It sits below the block and cuts the syllable off sharply instead of leaving it open — 바 (ba) becomes 밥 (bap) once you add ㅂ underneath.
Many consonants, only 7 batchim sounds
Almost any consonant can appear as a batchim, but they all collapse into just seven actual sounds: ㄱ ㄴ ㄷ ㄹ ㅁ ㅂ ㅇ. And unlike English endings, Korean batchim stops are never released with a puff of air — 밥 ends with your lips closing and staying shut, not popping open like the 'p' in pop.
Batchim ㅂ — lips close and stay shut, no puff of air like the English 'p'.
Batchim ㄹ — tongue tip touches the ridge behind your teeth, close to 'l' in feel.
Batchim ㄴ — tongue rests behind the front teeth, like the 'n' in sun.
Another ㅂ batchim — the same closed-lip stop as 밥, just a different word.
Batchim ㅇ — a nasal hum through the nose, like 'ng' in sing.
Batchim ㄴ again — 눈 means both 'eye' and 'snow'; only context tells them apart.
Batchim ㄱ — the back of your tongue touches the soft palate and stays there, no release.
Say it out loud
Listen, then repeat aloud. Matching the rhythm matters more than perfection.