Have you been wondering why ㄱ [g/k], ㄷ [d/t], and ㅂ [b/p] sometimes sound like ㄲ [gg/kk], ㄸ [dd/tt], and ㅃ [bb/pp]? In this post, we’ll learn a shortcut tip that Korean learning materials usually don’t cover.

In general, if two consonants occur together within a word, the second consonant tends to be pronounced with more stress. We can see this phenomenon in ㄱ [g/k], ㄷ [d/t], and ㅂ [b/p]. When ㄱ [g/k], ㄷ [d/t], and ㅂ [b/p] are preceded by ㄱ [g/k], ㄷ [d/t], or ㅂ [b/p], the second consonants are intensified and pronounced ㄲ [gg/kk], ㄸ [dd/tt], ㅃ [bb/pp] respectively. We can call this change a tensed pronunciation, or reinforcement.

I’ve found that some advanced Korean learners happen to acquire it naturally, without effort. Sadly, we won’t have enough time to spend studying Korean. Try speaking the phrases below aloud and get used to speaking fast. The more familiar you become with it, the more dramatically your listening skills develop.

1. ㄱ + ㄱ, ㄷ, ㅂ → ㄱ + ㄲ, ㄸ, ㅃ

2. ㄷ + ㄱ, ㄷ, ㅂ → ㄷ + ㄲ, ㄸ, ㅃ

3. ㅂ + ㄱ, ㄷ, ㅂ → ㅂ + ㄲ, ㄸ, ㅃ

Reference:

1. Lee, Iksop, and S. Robert Ramsey. The Korean Language. 1st ed., State University Of New York Press, 2001.
2. Jaehoon Yeon, Lucien Brown. Korean: A Comprehensive Grammar (Routledge Comprehensive Grammars). 1st ed. Routledge; 2011.
3. Danielle Ooyoung Pyun. Colloquial Korean: The Complete Course For Beginners. Routledge; 2009.