Steve, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 스 | ㅅ + ㅡ | ㅅ s ㅡ eu, like “oo” said with spread lips | seu |
| 티 | ㅌ + ㅣ | ㅌ t ㅣ i, as in “see” | ti |
| 브 | ㅂ + ㅡ | ㅂ b ㅡ eu, like “oo” said with spread lips | beu |
Why Steve 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, 브. Say it lightly — it is barely heard.
- Korean has no “v” sound, so ㅂ (b) is used: 브.
- Say each block evenly. Korean doesn’t stress one syllable over the others the way English does, so Steve sounds like seu-ti-beu.
Introducing yourself
The ending after your name depends on how it ends in Korean. 스티브 ends in a vowel, so you say 제 이름은 스티브예요 (je ireumeun seutibeuyeyo). With friends, Koreans add 야 (ya) when calling someone by name. At work, coworkers will usually call you 스티브 씨 or 스티브 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.