Max, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 맥 | ㅁ + ㅐ + ㄱ | ㅁ m ㅐ ae, like the a in “cat” ㄱ k (unreleased) at the end | maek |
| 스 | ㅅ + ㅡ | ㅅ s ㅡ eu, like “oo” said with spread lips | seu |
Why Max 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 short “a” of “cat” is written ㅐ (ae): 맥.
- Say each block evenly. Korean doesn’t stress one syllable over the others the way English does, so Max sounds like maek-seu.
Introducing yourself
The ending after your name depends on how it ends in Korean. 맥스 ends in a vowel, so you say 제 이름은 맥스예요 (je ireumeun maekseuyeyo). With friends, Koreans add 야 (ya) when calling someone by name. At work, coworkers will usually call you 맥스 씨 or 맥스 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.