The 10 basic vowels
Vowels give syllables their vocal heart. In Hangul, their physical shape tells you exactly where they sit in the square block: tall vowels sit on the right, and flat vowels sit underneath.
Tall vowels sit on the right
Vertical stems (ㅏ, ㅑ, ㅓ, ㅕ, ㅣ) always stand beside the consonant.
Like the "a" in "father".
Like the "ya" in "yard".
Like the "u" in "cup" or "o" in "son".
Like "yo" in "yonder".
Like the "ee" in "see".
Flat vowels sit underneath
Horizontal stems (ㅗ, ㅛ, ㅜ, ㅠ, ㅡ) always stack under the consonant.
Like the "o" in "boat" with rounded lips.
Like the "yo" in "yo-yo".
Like the "oo" in "moon".
Like the "you" in English.
Smile wide and say "oo", like the "u" in "put".
Why can't vowels stand alone? (The silent ㅇ)
In Korean, every syllable block must have at least one consonant. When a syllable begins with a vowel sound (like the "a" in apple or the "o" in orange), the letter ㅇ (ieung) is placed in the consonant spot as a silent placeholder.