Alexandra, letter by letter
Hangul is written in blocks. Each block is one syllable, built from a consonant, a vowel and sometimes a final consonant at the bottom.
| Block | Letters | How each letter sounds | Sound |
|---|---|---|---|
| 알 | ㅇ + ㅏ + ㄹ | ㅇ silent at the start ㅏ a, as in “father” ㄹ l at the end | al |
| 렉 | ㄹ + ㅔ + ㄱ | ㄹ l (after another ㄹ) ㅔ e, as in “bed” ㄱ k (unreleased) at the end | rek |
| 산 | ㅅ + ㅏ + ㄴ | ㅅ s ㅏ a, as in “father” ㄴ n at the end | san |
| 드 | ㄷ + ㅡ | ㄷ d ㅡ eu, like “oo” said with spread lips | deu |
| 라 | ㄹ + ㅏ | ㄹ r (a light, flapped r) ㅏ a, as in “father” | ra |
Why Alexandra is written this way
- Between vowels, the “l” sound is written with two ㄹ — 알렉 — so it stays a clear “l”. A single ㄹ there would sound more like a soft “r”.
- Korean has one letter, ㄹ, for both “r” and “l”. At the start of a syllable it is a light, flapped sound between the two; at the end of a block it sounds like “l”.
- Korean syllables can’t end in most consonant sounds, and two consonants can’t start one, so a soft ㅡ (eu) is added: 드. Say it lightly — it is barely heard.
Introducing yourself
The ending after your name depends on how it ends in Korean. 알렉산드라 ends in a vowel, so you say 제 이름은 알렉산드라예요 (je ireumeun alleksandeurayeyo). With friends, Koreans add 야 (ya) when calling someone by name. At work, coworkers will usually call you 알렉산드라 씨 or 알렉산드라 님.
Official documents such as your residence card use your name in English letters, as in your passport. The Hangul spelling is what friends, coworkers and baristas will write.