Blake, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 블 | ㅂ + ㅡ + ㄹ | ㅂ b ㅡ eu, like “oo” said with spread lips ㄹ l at the end | beul |
| 레 | ㄹ + ㅔ | ㄹ l (after another ㄹ) ㅔ e, as in “bed” | re |
| 이 | ㅇ + ㅣ | ㅇ silent at the start ㅣ i, as in “see” | i |
| 크 | ㅋ + ㅡ | ㅋ k ㅡ eu, like “oo” said with spread lips | keu |
Why Blake is written this way
- Korean syllables can’t end in most consonant sounds, and two consonants can’t start one, so a soft ㅡ (eu) is added: 크. Say it lightly — it is barely heard.
- The “ay” sound of “day” is written as two vowels, 에 + 이: 레이.
- Say each block evenly. Korean doesn’t stress one syllable over the others the way English does, so Blake sounds like beul-re-i-keu.
Introducing yourself
The ending after your name depends on how it ends in Korean. 블레이크 ends in a vowel, so you say 제 이름은 블레이크예요 (je ireumeun beulleikeuyeyo). With friends, Koreans add 야 (ya) when calling someone by name. At work, coworkers will usually call you 블레이크 씨 or 블레이크 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.