ㄱ Batchim — the [k] Sound
When ㄱ, ㅋ, or ㄲ appears at the bottom of a syllable, they are all pronounced as the same [k] sound. Three different letters, one single sound — this is the core principle of batchim called the "representative sound".
Final ㄱ, ㅋ, ㄲ all become [k]
How to Pronounce
Start like the k in "book", but do not release the sound. The back of your tongue blocks the roof of your mouth and stays there. This is called an "unreleased" stop.
Writing Practice
Print the worksheet to practice writing in manuscript cells by hand.
Example Words
책
chaek
book
부엌
[부억]
bueok
kitchen
밖
[박]
bak
outside
한국
hanguk
Korea
Common Mistake
Do not release the k like in English. "밖" is not [ba-keu] — prepare to say k, then stop. The word ends closed: [bak].
Check Your Understanding
How is the final ㅋ in 부엌 (kitchen) pronounced?
Which word has a DIFFERENT final sound?