Oscar, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 오 | ㅇ + ㅗ | ㅇ silent at the start ㅗ o, as in “go” (shorter) | o |
| 스 | ㅅ + ㅡ | ㅅ s ㅡ eu, like “oo” said with spread lips | seu |
| 카 | ㅋ + ㅏ | ㅋ k ㅏ a, as in “father” | ka |
Why Oscar is written this way
- The “r” in Oscar 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: 스. Say it lightly — it is barely heard.
- Say each block evenly. Korean doesn’t stress one syllable over the others the way English does, so Oscar sounds like o-seu-ka.
Introducing yourself
The ending after your name depends on how it ends in Korean. 오스카 ends in a vowel, so you say 제 이름은 오스카예요 (je ireumeun oseukayeyo). With friends, Koreans add 야 (ya) when calling someone by name. At work, coworkers will usually call you 오스카 씨 or 오스카 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.