Robert, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 로 | ㄹ + ㅗ | ㄹ r (a light, flapped r) ㅗ o, as in “go” (shorter) | ro |
| 버 | ㅂ + ㅓ | ㅂ b ㅓ eo, like the u in “up” | beo |
| 트 | ㅌ + ㅡ | ㅌ t ㅡ eu, like “oo” said with spread lips | teu |
Why Robert is written this way
- Korean has one letter, ㄹ, for both “r” and “l”. At the start of a syllable it is a light, flapped sound between the two; at the end of a block it sounds like “l”.
- Korean syllables can’t end in most consonant sounds, and two consonants can’t start one, so a soft ㅡ (eu) is added: 트. 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): 버.
Introducing yourself
The ending after your name depends on how it ends in Korean. 로버트 ends in a vowel, so you say 제 이름은 로버트예요 (je ireumeun robeoteuyeyo). With friends, Koreans add 야 (ya) when calling someone by name. At work, coworkers will usually call you 로버트 씨 or 로버트 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.