ㄷ

Etymology

The traditional account* states that ㄷ d is derived from ㄴ n by the addition of a stroke (ㄴ而ㄷ […] 其因聲加畫). However, Gari Ledyard proposes instead that ㄷ d is borrowed from Phagspa d, ultimately from Tibetan ད d, and that it is ㄴ n which is derived by the removal of a stroke.

* Hunmin Jeongeum Haerye “Explanations and Examples of the Proper Sounds for the Instruction of the People” (1446), defining and explaining the script now known as 한글 (han-geul, “Great script, Korean script”) in South Korea and 조선글 (joseon-geul, “Korean script”) in North Korea.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /t/
• Actual realisation:

  (word-initially) IPA^(key): [t]

  (between vowels, after nasals and liquids) IPA^(key): [d]

  (after stops) IPA^(key): [t͈]

  (before stops, or word-finally) IPA^(key): [t̚]

  (before nasals) IPA^(key): [n]

  (next to /h/) IPA^(key): [tʰ]

• Audio

  (file)

Letter

ㄷ • (d)

1. 디귿 (digeut, “digeut”), a letter of the Korean writing system, hangeul; the unaspirated alveolar plosive (/t/)