Though hangul is a very closely phonetic alphabet, there are several irregular pronunciations to be aware of. Some of them follow predictable rules, while others do not.

Contents 1 ㄹ and ㄴ 2 ㄹ and ㅇ 3 ㄱand ㄹ 4 ㄹ before ㄱ, ㄷ, ㅅ or ㅈ

[edit] ㄹ and ㄴ

When ㄴ and ㄹ meet as two consecutive syllables, the ㄴ is pronounced as if it were another ㄹ for a long "el" sound. Likewise, for the opposite situation, the ㄴ would be pronounced as ㄹ. For example:

• 관리 is pronounced 괄리

[edit] ㄹ and ㅇ

When one syllable ends in ㅇ, and the next syllable begins with ㄹ, the ㄹ is pronounced as ㄴ. For example

• 종로 is pronounced 종노

[edit] ㄱand ㄹ

When one syllable ends in ㄱ and the next begins in ㄹ, there is a chain reaction: first, ㄱ changes to ㅇ; then because of the previous rule, ㄹ changes to ㄴ. For example:

• 석류 is pronounced 성뉴

[edit] ㄹ before ㄱ, ㄷ, ㅅ or ㅈ

When ㄹ comes immediately before ㄱ, ㄷ, ㅅ or ㅈ, it results in tensifying of the following consonant:

• 길동 is pronounced 길똥
• 활동 is pronounced 활똥
• 할지 is pronounced 할찌
• 활자 is pronounced 활짜