Syllable Blocks

Korean is written in syllable blocks, not individual letters in a row. Each block contains 2-4 components: 1. Initial consonant (초성) - always required 2. Vowel (중성) - always required 3. Final consonant (받침) - optional Block structures: • CV: 가, 나, 다 (consonant + vowel) • CVC: 간, 난, 단 (consonant + vowel + final consonant) The shape depends on the vowel: • Vertical vowels (ㅏ, ㅓ, ㅣ): consonant on LEFT, vowel on RIGHT • Horizontal vowels (ㅗ, ㅜ, ㅡ): consonant on TOP, vowel on BOTTOM