ㄱ

Gari Ledyard proposes that ㄱ (g) is a graphic simplification of the 'Phags-pa letter ꡂ (g) ultimately from Tibetan ག (g).

The traditional account holds that its its form is the outline of the back of the tongue blocking the throat when pronouncing /k/ (舌根閉喉之形), and Ledyard feels this consideration may have determined the form of simplified ག.

• IPA^(key): /k/
• Actual realisation:

  (word-initially) IPA^(key): [k]

  (between vowels, after nasals and liquids) IPA^(key): [ɡ]

  (after stops) IPA^(key): [k͈]

  (before stops, or word-finally) IPA^(key): [k̚]

  (before nasals) IPA^(key): [ŋ]

  (next to /h/) IPA^(key): [kʰ]

• Audio

  (file)

ㄱ • (g)

1. 기역 (giyeok), the first jamo (letter) of hangeul, the Korean writing system.

In contemporary Korean, when ㄱ (g) is placed on the side, it curves as in the examples of 기 (gi), 길 (gil), 김 (gim), 경찰 (gyeongchal), 건강 (geon-gang), 건물 (geonmul), 게임 (geim), 개 (gae), 검정색 (geomjeongsaek), 안경 (an-gyeong), etc. However, when ㄱ (g) is placed on top or bottom, it retains its original look, as in the examples of 고려 (goryeo), 관심 (gwansim), 공부 (gongbu), 구상 (gusang), 권력 (gwollyeok), 금발 (geumbal), 금 (geum), 금융 (geumyung), 박다 (bakda), 먹다 (meokda), 죽다 (jukda), etc. This was done in the modern era to make the character look more balanced.

• Next jamo: (North Korea) ㄴ (n), (South Korea) ㄲ (kk)
• Appendix:Korean script