Hangul

[hahng-gool]

noun

1. the Korean alphabetic writing system, introduced in the 15th century, containing 14 consonants and 11 vowels.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Hangul¹

< Korean, equivalent to han great (but frequently taken to be Han < Middle Chinese, equivalent to Chinese hán Korea) + kŭl writing

Example Sentences

Northern Virginia, and Annandale in particular, is home to a robust Korean community, where signage displays Hangul lettering and where Korean restaurants, churches, grocery stores, bakeries and beauty stores abound.

From Washington Post

Using the Korean hangul alphabet, she repeatedly writes a single word, such as “love,” “mother” or “human,” and then shreds and arranges the text.

From Washington Post

The Korean course also uses romanizations in some of its games, rather than Hangul, while pretty much any other Korean resource gets you away from romanizations as quickly as possible.

From The Verge

It’s been mostly teaching me to read basic Hangul, one letter at a time, for months now — most Korean learners I know needed at most a couple days to get Hangul down.

From The Verge

When I learned how to read Hangul, the Korean alphabet, and could understand signs and ingredients, my heart sang.

From New York Times