Liaison
When a vowel-initial syllable follows a batchim, the final consonant slides over to become the first sound of the next syllable. That is why 음악 (music) is pronounced [으막].
받침 + 모음(ㅇ) 시작 음절 → 받침이 다음 음절 첫소리로
How It Works
A single batchim moves whole; with a double batchim, only the second consonant shifts into the empty ㅇ slot of the next syllable. Nothing is lost — the sound simply changes seats. It is the most natural of all the rules.
Transformation Examples
See — and hear — how the spelling turns into its actual pronunciation.
음악
[으막]
eumak
music
한국어
[한구거]
hangugeo
Korean language
먹어요
[머거요]
meogeoyo
I eat
꽃이
[꼬치]
kkochi
flower (subject)
Exceptions & Notes
The batchim ㅇ already has its own sound, so it does not move — 강아지 stays [강아지]. For a double batchim, only the second consonant carries over while the first stays: 닭이 becomes [달기].
Check Your Understanding
How is 한국어 (Korean language) pronounced?
When does liaison happen?