Peter, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 피 | ㅍ + ㅣ | ㅍ p ㅣ i, as in “see” | pi |
| 터 | ㅌ + ㅓ | ㅌ t ㅓ eo, like the u in “up” | teo |
Why Peter is written this way
- The “r” in Peter is not written. In Korean spelling, an “r” after a vowel is silent — much like in British English.
- The relaxed “uh” sound — like the u in “fun” or the -er in “Peter” — is written ㅓ (eo): 터.
- Say each block evenly. Korean doesn’t stress one syllable over the others the way English does, so Peter sounds like pi-teo.
Introducing yourself
The ending after your name depends on how it ends in Korean. 피터 ends in a vowel, so you say 제 이름은 피터예요 (je ireumeun piteoyeyo). With friends, Koreans add 야 (ya) when calling someone by name. At work, coworkers will usually call you 피터 씨 or 피터 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.