Justin, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 저 | ㅈ + ㅓ | ㅈ j ㅓ eo, like the u in “up” | jeo |
| 스 | ㅅ + ㅡ | ㅅ s ㅡ eu, like “oo” said with spread lips | seu |
| 틴 | ㅌ + ㅣ + ㄴ | ㅌ t ㅣ i, as in “see” ㄴ n at the end | tin |
Why Justin 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: 스. Say it lightly — it is barely heard.
- The relaxed “uh” sound — like the u in “fun” or the -er in “Peter” — is written ㅓ (eo): 저.
- Justin ends in a consonant, so it sits at the bottom of the last block as a final consonant (받침): 틴 has ㄴ at the bottom.
Introducing yourself
The ending after your name depends on how it ends in Korean. 저스틴 ends in a consonant (ㄱ, ㄴ, ㄹ…) at the bottom of the last block, so you say 제 이름은 저스틴이에요 (je ireumeun jeoseutinieyo). With friends, Koreans add 아 (a) when calling someone by name. At work, coworkers will usually call you 저스틴 씨 or 저스틴 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.