Edward, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 에 | ㅇ + ㅔ | ㅇ silent at the start ㅔ e, as in “bed” | e |
| 드 | ㄷ + ㅡ | ㄷ d ㅡ eu, like “oo” said with spread lips | deu |
| 워 | ㅇ + ㅝ | ㅇ silent at the start ㅝ wo, like “wo” in “won” | wo |
| 드 | ㄷ + ㅡ | ㄷ d ㅡ eu, like “oo” said with spread lips | deu |
Why Edward is written this way
- The “r” in Edward is not written. In Korean spelling, an “r” after a vowel is silent — much like in British English.
- Korean syllables can’t end in most consonant sounds, and two consonants can’t start one, so a soft ㅡ (eu) is added: 드, 드. Say it lightly — it is barely heard.
- Korean makes the “w” sound by joining two vowels into one: ㅗ or ㅜ plus the next vowel — 워.
Introducing yourself
The ending after your name depends on how it ends in Korean. 에드워드 ends in a vowel, so you say 제 이름은 에드워드예요 (je ireumeun edeuwodeuyeyo). With friends, Koreans add 야 (ya) when calling someone by name. At work, coworkers will usually call you 에드워드 씨 or 에드워드 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.