Korean
Romanization and Word Division
Young Ki Lee
Senior Cataloging Specialist
Korean/Chinese Team
RCCD
Library of Congress
Session Summary:
Romanization and Word Division: is designed to provide trainees with basic
understanding of the Romanization and Word Division Rules for Korean language
and the related rule interpretations. The session provides introduction of McCuneReischauer system and 1997 edition of ALA-LC Romanization Korean Table. The
trainees are prepared through basic study of guidelines and interpretations to
create Romanized data on bibliographical records.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this session trainees will be able to:
•Define the structure of Korean Script
•Consult and use McCune-Reischauer system and ALA-LC Romanization Korean
Table
•Apply the guidelines in the creation of new bibliographic records
•Recognize situations in Romanization and Word Division in which librarian must
exercise “judgment” in the application of the guidelines.
Han’gŭl
 The Korean alphabet was invented in 1444 and
promulgated it in 1446 during the reign of King
Sejong, the fourth king of the Chosŏn Dynasty.
 The alphabet was originally called Hunmin chŏngŭm
 Korean linguist Chu Si-gyŏng brought the modern
name for the alphabet, Han’gŭl, in use in 19th century
Notable features of Han’gŭl
 There are 51 letters (jamo) in the Korean
alphabet:
14 simple consonants
5 double consonants
11 consonants clusters
10 simple vowels
11 diphthongs
14 Simple Consonants
Normal:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
ㄱ
ㄴ
ㄷ
ㄹ
ㅁ
ㅂ
ㅅ
ㅇ
ㅈ
ㅎ
k/g
n
t/d
l/r
m
p/b
s
/ng
ch/j
h
Aspirated:
•
•
•
•
ㅋ
ㅌ
ㅍ
ㅊ
k‘
t‘
p‘
ch‘
Double Consonants
•
•
•
•
•
ㄲ
ㄸ
ㅃ
ㅆ
ㅉ
kk
tt
pp
ss
tch
•
•
•
•
•
•
ㄳ
ㄶ
ㄻ
ㄽ
ㄿ
ㅄ
•
•
•
•
•
ㄵ
ㄺ
ㄼ
ㄾ
ㅀ
Simple Vowels and Diphthongs
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
ㅏ
ㅑ
ㅓ
ㅕ
ㅗ
ㅛ
ㅜ
ㅠ
ㅡ
ㅣ
a
ya
ŏ
yŏ
o
yo
u
yu
ŭi
i
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
ㅐ
ㅒ
ㅔ
ㅖ
ㅚ
ㅟ
ㅢ
ㅘ
ㅝ
ㅙ
ㅞ
ae
yae
e
ye
oe
wi
ŭi
wa
wŏ
wae
we
Three Categories of jamo
• Initial (초성, 初聲): The consonants before the vowels. All five
doubled jamo can be placed here.
– Position: top, left, or upper-left corner of the syllabic block.
• Medial (중성, 中聲): The vowels comprising the syllable
nucleus.
– Position: middle of the syllable block if there's a final, otherwise at the
right or bottom.
• Final (종성, 終聲): The consonants after the vowels. All basic
jamo can occur as finals, and the silent initial ㅇ is pronounced ng in
final position.
– Position: bottom, right or lower-right corner of the block.
Combined Syllables
Syllable Stacking Rules
• A syllable that consists of a consonant and a "vertical vowel" is written
with the consonant on the left and the vowel on the right:
ㄱ + ㅏ = 가
• A syllable that consists of a consonant and a "horizontal vowel" is written
with the consonant on top and the vowel underneath:
ㄷ + ㅗ = 도
• If a syllable has a consonant, vowel, and consonant, the final consonant,
called patch'im (meaning "supporting floor" in Korean) goes to the bottom
-- or floor -- of that syllable.
ㅎ + ㅏ + ㄴ = 한
ㄱ + ㅜ + ㄱ = 국
Useful sites in Internet
• McCune-Reischauer System from the National Library
of Australia. (http://www.nla.gov.au/librariesaustralia/cjk/download/ras_1961.pdf)
• ALA-LC Romanization Tables from Library of
Congress (http://www.loc.gov/catdir/cpso/romanization/korean.pdf)
• Guide to Korean Romanization System and
Word Division from UC-Berkeley
(http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/EAL/help/koreanromanization.pdf)
• Romanization and Word Division from USC
(http://www.usc.edu/libraries/archives/arc/libraries/eastasian/korea/ckm/manual/)
• Guide for Searching the Korean Collection
Korean Romanization from PITTCat
(http://www.library.pitt.edu/libraries/eal/DOCS/Korean_Romanization.pdf)
The Basic of McCune-Reischauer system
letter
initial
medial
final
ㄱ
‘K’: 국어 Kugŏ
1. ‘G’:물건 mulgŏn
‘K’: 조국 choguk
2. ‘NG’: 국민 kungmin
3. ‘K’: 합계 hapkye
ㄴ
1. Not romanized: 녀자 yŏja
1. ‘L’: 연락 yŏllak
2. ‘N’: 농민 nongmin
2. ‘N’: 한문 Hanmun
ㄷ
1. ‘CH’: 뎐기 chyŏn’gi
2. ‘T’: 다섯 tasŏt
1. ‘D’:무당 mudang
ㄹ
1. Not romanized: 력사 Yŏksa
1. ‘R’: 마루 maru
2. ‘N’: 로동 nodong
2. ‘L’: 물리학 Mullihak
N’: 강산 kangsan
Not applicable
2. ‘T’: 합동 haptong
3. ‘N’: 종로 Chongno
‘L’: 오솔길 osolkil
McCune-Reischauer system, continued
letter
initial
medial
final
ㅁ
ㅂ
‘M’: 목마 mongma
‘M’: 나무 namu
‘M’: 밤 pam
‘P’: 발표 palp‘yo
1. ‘B’: 갈비 kalbi
2. ‘M’: 섭리 sŏmni
3. ‘P’: 접시 chŏpsi
‘P’: 헌법 hŏnpŏp
ㅅ
1. ‘SH’: 쉽게 shwipke
2. ‘S’: 상업 sangŏp
1. ‘SH’: 아쉬운 ashwiun
2. ‘S’: 농산물 nongsanmul
3. ‘NN’: 옛이야기 yenniyagi
4. ‘T’: 못하다 mothada
5. ‘D’: 웃옷 udot
‘T’: 웃옷 udot
ㅇ
Not romanized: 얼굴 ŏlgul
1. Not romanized: 독일 Togil
2. ‘NG’: 농민 nongmin
‘NG’: 사랑 sarang
McCune-Reischauer system, continued
letter
initial
medial
final
ㅈ
‘CH’: 진리 chilli
1. ‘J’: 도장 tojang
2. ‘CH’: 목장 mokchang
Not applicable
ㅊ
‘CH‘’: 차별 ch‘abyŏl
‘CH‘’: 김치 kimch‘i
Not applicable
ㅋ
‘K‘’: 코끼리 k‘okkiri
‘K‘’: 단칸방 tank‘anpang
Not applicable
ㅌ
‘T‘’: 태풍 t‘aep‘ung
‘T‘’: 국토 kukt‘o
Not applicable
ㅍ
‘P‘’: 편지 p‘yŏnji
‘P‘’: 병풍 pyŏngp‘ung
Not applicable
ㅎ
‘H’: 황금 hwanggŭm
‘H’: 황해도 Hwanghae-do
Not applicable
McCune-Reischauer system, continued
letter
initial
medial
final
ㄲ
‘KK’: 까마귀 kkamagwi
‘KK’: 깨끗한 kkaekkŭthan
‘K’: 호박꽃 Hobakkot
Not applicable
ㄸ
‘TT’: 땅콩 ttangk‘ong
‘TT’: 보따리 pottari
Not applicable
ㅃ
‘PP’: 뿌리 ppŭri
‘PP’: 예쁘다 yeppŭda
Not applicable
ㅆ
‘SS’: 쌍둥이 ssangdungi
‘SS’: 좁쌀 chopssal
Not applicable
ㅉ
‘TCH’: 짝사랑 tchaksarang
‘TCH’: 동쪽 tongtchok
Not applicable
McCune-Reischauer system, continued
letter
initial
medial
final
ㄺ
Not applicable
1. ‘LG’: between vowels
2. ‘L’: before letters of the ‘K’ series
3. ‘NG’: before ㅁ,ㄴ, and ㄹ
4. ‘LK’: before ㅎ
5. ‘K’: before all other consonants
‘K’
ㄼ
Not applicable
1. ‘LB’: between vowels
2. ‘L’: before letters of the ‘P’ series
3. ‘M’: before ㅁ,ㄴ, and ㄹ
4. ‘LP’: before ㅎ
5. ‘P’: before all other consonants
‘P’
ㄻ
Not applicable
1. ‘LM’: between vowels
2. ‘L’: before ‘ㅁ’
3. ‘M’: before other consonants
Not applicable
ALA-LC Romanization Tables (Korean)
1997 edition
1. The Library of Congress will continue to follow the McCune-Reischauer
system to romanize Korean. See: Romanization of the Korean Language:
Based upon its Phonetic Structure by G.M. McCune and E.O. Reischauer ([S.l.:
s.n., 1939?), reprinted from the Transactions of the Korea Branch of the Royal
Asiatic Society.
2. The Library of Congress will designate certain standard dictionaries as final
authorities to resolve question of contemporary pronunciation. A word will be
considered to be pronounced as indicated in those dictionaries, and romanized
in such a way as to represent its pronunciation most accurately.
Dictionaries to be used as authorities in Korean
ALA-LC Romanization Tables (Korean), 1997 edition
3. When romanization rules conflict with the pronunciation of a word, prefer to represent the
pronunciation. Do not romanize silent syllabic finals.
choǔn 좋은
yori
namunnip
kap
ŏpta
료리 (or 요리)
나뭇잎
값
없다
4. Sai siot. Follow McCune-Reischauer directions on romanization of medial (sai) siot. With these
revisions:
Romanized as ‘nn’ when a syllabic final before ‘i’ and yotized vowels
yenniyagi
hŏnnil
옛이야기
헛일
Romanized as ‘d’ when a syllabic final before all other vowels
mǒdǒpta
udot
멋없다
웃옷
ALA-LC Romanization Tables (Korean), 1997 edition
5. Represent a reinforced medial consonant as it is pronounced, regardless of written form. (NOTE:
Some dictionaries represent a reinforced medial consonant with a double consonant: 의과 [-꽈]
However, the romanization would not necessarily show a double consonant: ŭikwa)
Hancha 한자 (漢字)
But
hanja (a measure) 한자
silssi
實施
p‘yŏngka 평가
munpŏp 文法
6. Words written with double final consonants are to be romanized as they are pronounced.
hŭk
sam
tak
Maksŭ
Marksŭ
흙
삶
닭
막스
맑스 (X)
ALA-LC Romanization Tables (Korean), 1997 edition
7. Initial niŭn (ㄴ) and liŭl (ㄹ). Follow McCune-Reischauer rules governing Initial niŭn and liŭl,
with the following exceptions. The surname 李 is always romanized Yi, no matter how it is written
(李, 이, 리) .
nodong
yŏksa
Yi Sŭng-man
로동 (or 노동)
력사 (or 역사)
리 승만 (or 이 승만)
Exception 1) When medial ㄴ is followed by medial ㄹ, they are generally romanized ㄹㄹ.
However, when syllables beginning with 류, or 려 (i.e. 률, 렬, 련) follow a vowel or medial ㄴ, the
sound of ㄹ is generally dropped. In such cases, ㄹ is not romanizaed.
mullihak
nayŏl
punyŏl
But
Koryŏ
文理學
羅列
分裂
高麗
ALA-LC Romanization Tables (Korean), 1997 edition
Exception 2) To accommodate Word Division Rule 1, particles beginning with the letter ㄹ are to
be separated from other words, and are to be romanized beginning with the letter ‘r’ in all cases.
sae yŏksa rŭl wihayŏ
charip kyŏngje ro ŭi tojon
Kim Mari ranŭn puin
새 歷史 를 위하여
自立 經濟 로 의 挑戰
金 마리 라는 夫 (婦)人
ALA-LC Romanization Tables (Korean), 1997 edition
8. Following hyphens:
(a) When sounds would normally change, according to McCune-Reischauer rules, sound change is
indicated following a hyphen in the following instances:
(1) As second syllable of a forename.
Exception: When the second part of a given name follows a vowel sound and begins with a
yotized initial ㄹ, the medial ‘r’ is omitted (unless there is convincing evidence that the medial
‘r’ is intended to be pronounced.)
but
Song, Si-yŏl
Yi, Ki-yŏn
宋 時烈
리 기련
Kim, Ch‘ŏr-won
An, Ung-nyŏl
金 哲源
安 應烈
ALA-LC Romanization Tables (Korean), 1997 edition
8. Following hyphens:
(2) For all generic terms used as jurisdictions, except the term ‘pukto
Kangwŏn-do
Wando-gun
江原道
완도군
ALA-LC Romanization Tables (Korean), 1997 edition
8. Following hyphens:
(b) When sounds would normally change, according to McCune-Reischauer rules, sound change is
not indicated following a hyphen in the following instances:
(1) In a spelled-out cardinal number:
ilchŏn-kubaek-yuksipp‘al
一九六八
(2) Between a numeral and volume designation:
che 3-chip
第 3輯
4-kwŏn
4卷
(3) Between a year, written in numerals, and a suffix or modifier:
10-chunŏn
10週年
1900-yŏn
1900年
(4) Between abbreviated forms combined coordinately:
chung-kodŭng hakkyo
中高等 學校
(5) For the generic jurisdiction term ‘pukto’:
Ch‘ungch‘ŏng-pukto 忠淸北道
(6) When a word of Western origin is modified by a single character modifier, affix, or
substantive of Korean or Sino-Korean origin:
esei-chip
에세이집
ALA-LC Romanization Tables (Korean), 1997 edition
9. Words of Western origin:
(a) The letter that can be used in romanizing words of Western origin are limited to those allowed
by the McCune-Reischauer romanization rules. Therefore, while there may be a choice
between letters that may be used to represent a consonant, there can be no variation in the
representation of vowels. The letters that may be used to represent consonants are:
ㄱ
ㄴ
ㄷ
ㄹ
ㅁ
ㅂ
ㅅ
ㅇ
ㅈ
ㅊ
ㅋ
ㅌ
ㅍ
ㅎ
k, g, ng
n, l
t, ch, j, d
l, r, n
m
p, b
s, sh, n, t, d, p, k
ng
ch, j
ch‘
k‘
t‘, ch
p‘
h
ALA-LC Romanization Tables (Korean), 1997 edition
9. Words of Western origin:
(b) When one or more of the prescribed letters corresponds exactly to its counterpart in the Western
word being romanized, that letter will always be used:
dijain (from the word design)
Lenin
디자인
레닌
(c) When none of the prescribed letters corresponds exactly to its counterpart in the Western word
being romanized, apply the romanization system strictly, without approximation of sounds.
Pet‘ŭnam
베트남
(from the word ‘Vietnam’; the romanization system does not permit the use of the letter ‘v’)
chero
제로
(from the word ‘zero’; the romanization system does not permit to use of the letter ‘z’)
(d) When the original Western word cannot be ascertained, apply the romanization system strictly.
Romanization Exercise
1.
2.
3.
서울대
웃음
평가
4.
高麗
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
노근리
평택군
평택읍
진리
임진란
대관령
11.
金融
12.
13.
14.
15.
강물
불상
햇빛
역할
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
잊혀진
어떻게
많이
협력
맑은
앉아
이 어령
김 석민
24. 사법 (司法)
25. 사법 (私法)
Korean McCune-Reischauer Romanization Dictionary
•
The following members are contributing to this project.
Seunghi Paek : Harvard University
Kyungmi Lee : Stony Brook University (SUNY)
Sun-yoon Lee : University of Southern California
Younghee Sohn : University of Chicago
Young Ki Lee : Library of Congress
Hee-Sook Shin : Columbia University
Mikyung Kang : Harvard University
Hana Kim : University of Toronto
Jaeyong Chang : University of California – Berkeley
Eunseung Oh : Stanford University
Miree Ku : Duke University
Wooseob Jeong : University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee
• Romanization Dictionary
Answers
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
강물
서울대
웃음
평가
高麗
노근리
평택군
평택읍
진리
임진란
대관령
金融
불상
햇빛
역할
kangmul
Sŏultae
usŭm
p‘yŏngka
Koryŏ
Nogŭn-ni
P‘yŏngt‘aek-kun
P‘yŏngt‘aeg-ŭp
chilli
Imjinnan
Taegwallyŏng
kŭmnyung
pulsang
haeppit
yŏkhal
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
잊혀진
어떻게
많이
협력
맑은
앉아
이 어령
김 석민
사법 (司法)
사법 (私法)
ich‘yŏjin
ŏttŏk‘e
mani
hyŏmnyŏk
malgŭn
anja
Yi Ŏ-ryŏng
Kim Sŏng-min
sabŏp
sapŏp
Word Division
Basic Principles
1. Each word or lexical unit (including particles) is to be separated from other word
K‘alla TV rŭl chungsim ŭro
칼라 TV 를 중심 으로
2. The Library of Congress will designate certain standard dictionaries as final authorities
to resolve question of word division. A word found in these sources will be considered to
be a lexical unit, and written as a unit. Words or parts of speech not appearing in these
authorities will be separated or connected according to these guidelines. Then, when in
doubt, prefer to separate.
3. A compound word is considered a combination of binary words. (A binary word is a
compound consisting of two Chinese characters (Hancha) or two syllables of Hangul.)
4. A compound word is divided into binary components according to euphony.
Word Division
Specific Rules
1. Write a particle (토) as a word separate from the word stem, except as noted in (a) through (d) below.
na nŭn nae kil e
나 는 내 길 에
noin kwa pada
老人 과 바다
ch‘owŏn ŭi kkum ŭl kŭdae ege 草原 의 꿈 을 그대 에게
sae ya sae ya p‘arang sae ya 새 야 새 야 파랑 새 야
1A. Add a particle as a suffix to a verb stem, adverb, or a simple inflection of the verb stem or adverb .
sarang pannŭn anae
사랑 받는 아내
chago mŏktŏni
자고 먹더니
kanan ŭl iginŭn pŏp
가난 을 이기는 法
Word Division
Specific Rules
1B. Write coordinated or multisyllabic particles together as a word. However, always separate the
particle (ŭi) from other particles.
na mando anida
Han’guk kojŏn e ŭi ch‘odae
iltŭng egenŭn so rŭl sang ŭro
hangmun ŭrosŏ ŭi sahak
나 만도 아니다
한국 古典 에 의 招待
一等 에게는 소 를 상 으로
學門 (問) 으로서 의 史學
1C. Write independent contracted particles (such as 엔, 엘) separately from the preceding word.
yejŏn en mich‘ŏ mollassŏyo
예전 엔 미처 몰랐어요
kohyang el kanda
고향 엘 간다
1D. When particles are contracted to nouns or pronouns, connect them to those words.
chigŭm ŭn nugun’ga wasŏ
지금 은 누군가 와서
nan molla
난 몰라
kŭgŏn na to molla
그건 나 도 몰라
Word Division
Specific Rules
2. Write a simple inflected verb, adjective, or adverb as a separate word or as a suffix joined
to a word, according to the dictionary that served as authority or the sense of the
element(s) involved.
mŏndong i t‘ŭl ttae
pam e ssŭn insaengnon
choguk ŭl chik‘in yongsa
nugu rŭl wihayŏ chong ŭn ullina
simni to mot kasŏ palpyŏng nanda
irŏbŏrin kaŭl
mongmarŭn hujo
먼동 이 틀 때
밤 에 쓴 인생론
조국 을 지킨 용사
누구 를 위하여 종 은 울리나
십리 도 못 가서 발병 난다
잃어버린 가을
목마른 후조
Word Division
Specific Rules
2A. Separate an auxiliary verb, adjective, or adverb and its inflection from the word stem.
kago sipŭn nae kohyang
ttŏna on kŭ chari e
nae chan i nŏmch‘i naida
가고 싶은 내 고향
떠나 온 그 자리 에
네 (내) 盞 이 넘치 나이다
Word Division
Specific Rules
2B. Separate the auxiliary 하다 (hada), the copula 이다 (ida), and inflections of the same
from the word stem when they consist of two or more syllables.
Sin ŭn ch‘angjoja ida
sarang iranŭn pyŏng
신 은 창조자 이다
사랑 이라는 병
2C. Separate a gerund form from the word stem.
p‘urŭn pyŏl ŭn sara issŏtta
푸른 별 은 살아 있었다
Word Division
3. Write an imperfect noun as a separate word, except as noted in A-B below.
morankkot p‘il muryŏp
ssirŭm ŭn Tano ppun anirao
모란꽃 필 무렵
씨름 은 단오 뿐 아니라오
3A. Write a single syllable, imperfect noun as a word joined to an attributive adjective or to a
simple inflected verb.
halsu ŏmnŭn saramdŭl
sinsa sungnyŏ yŏrŏbun
nugu rŭl wihan kŏsin’ga
i choguk ŏdiro kalkŏt in’ga
할수 없는 사람들
신사 숙녀 여러분
누구 를 위한 것인가
이 조국 어디로 갈것 인가
3B. Connect a prefix (接頭辭), such as the native Korean prefixes 갓 (kat), 홀 (hol), 핫 (hat),
and 풋 (p‘ut) to the words that follow them.
kassŭmul
tŏtchŏgori
p‘ussarang
갓스물
덧저고리
풋사랑
Word Division
3C. Write a single syllable attributive adjective or prefix as joined to a personal pronoun or
imperfect noun.
kŭbun i sŏnsaeng ida
igŏt i chinsang ida
그분 이 先生 이다
이것 이 眞相 이다
4. Write a derived word formed by the addition of a single character modifier, affix, or
substantive as a single word, whether the word be of pure Korean or Chinese origin.
Han’guk kwa Han’gugin
pudongsan p‘yŏngka
taedosi ŭi inyŏm kwa Han’guk
Hanbando ŭi p‘yŏnghwa wa anbo
kyŏngje ch‘odaeguk ŭi hyŏngsŏng
hwangmuji ka changmikkot kach‘i
韓國 과 韓國人
不動産 評價
大都市 의 理念 과 韓國
韓半島 의 平和 와 安保
經濟 超大國 의 形成
황무지 가 장미꽃 같이
Word Division
4A. In a Sino-Korean phrase, write a simple inflection of the auxiliary 하다 (hada) and 되다
(toeda), and the copula 이다 (ida) joined to the word stem.
kodokhal ttae sayŏn ŭl
yŏngwŏnhan saengmyŏng
haengbokhan Miguk saenghwal
chomyŏnghae pon uri choguk
고독할
영원한
행복한
조명해
때 사연 을
생명
미국 생활
본 우리 조국
Word Division
4B. Connect a single character modifier, affix, or substantive of Western origin with a
hyphen to a word of Korean or Sino-Korean origin. Connect a single character modifier
of Korean or Sino-Korean origin with a hyphen to a word of Western origin.
Pak Mog-wŏl taep‘yo esei-chip
kukche maak‘et‘ing-non
박 목월 대표 에세이집
국제 마아케팅론
4C. Write an attributive adjective or a pre-formative character separately from the word it
modifies.
sin hŏnpŏp
chŏ hanŭl edo sŭlp‘ŭm i
Han’guk sinhak nonmun ch‘ong saegin
kŭndaesa ui chae chomyŏng
kwanhan il yŏn’gu
신 헌법
저 하늘 에도 슬픔 이
한국 신학 논문 총 색인
근대사 의 재 조명
관한 일 연구
Word Division
4D. Write two coordinated characters, affixes, or substantives together as an integral part of
the word.
such‘urip chŏlch‘a
kungnaeoe sajŏng
Han’guk sŏhwaga inbo
ch‘ŏngsonyŏn ege tŭrinŭn Hanŏl
輸出入 節次
國內外 事情
韓國 書畵家 印譜
청소년 에게 드리는 한얼
Word Division
4E. Write a single character suffix together with the word stem.
kongsanch‘ŭk ŭi chujang
arŭmdaun tongmuldŭl
共産側 의 主張
아름다운 동물들
4F. Add the binary 주의 (chuŭi; used chiefly as a formative element) to its modifier as a
suffix.
minjujuŭi
Marŭk‘ŭsŭ-chuŭi wa Kidokkyo
民主主義
마르크스 主義 와 基督敎
5. Write any binary component of a compound as a single word, when possible.
t‘oji kaeryang chohap
土地 改良 組合
Word Division
5A. Write a single character substantive as part of the preceding binary element of a
compound. Write a single character substantive or an additional modifier together as part
of the binary element.
kukse kibonpŏp
chijŏng t‘onggye chosap‘yo
Han’guk chŏnt‘ong mokcho kŏnmulto
kyeryang kyŏngjehakchŏk yŏn’gu
國稅
指定
韓國
計量
基本法
統計 調査表
傳統 木造 建物圖
經濟學的 硏究
5B. If two single character substantives appear in succession, write the second one as a
separate word.
kukse kibonpŏp non
t‘onggye chosap‘yo chip
hyŏndae chakka samsipsamin chip
Chungguk kojŏn Hansiin sŏn
kwijokche sŏl kwa kwallyoje non
國稅 基本法 論
統計 調査表 集
現代 作家 三十三人 集
中國 古典 漢詩人 選
貴族制 說 과 官僚制 論
Word Division
5C. Write a single character noun as a separate word.
hyŏn haengjŏng ha e che kisul
Moktan’gang haeng yŏIch‘a
Han’guk Chunggong kan ŭi kyoyŏk
現 行政 下 의 諸 技術
牧丹江 行 列車
韓國 中共 間 의 交易
5D. Borrowed (Western) words or terms: When it can be determined that a word or words in
Korean consisted of more than one word in the original language, apply the following
guidelines.
If they appear separately, write them separately.
syeip‘ŭ ŏp
셰이프 업
t‘eibŭl maenŏ
테이블 매너
If they appear without spaces, write them as a single word. (It is useful to also provide an access point in
which the word or words are separated in the same manner as in the original language.)
syeip‘ŭŏp (originally shape up)
셰이프업
(and another access point from syeip'ŭ ŏp)
t‘eibŭlmaenŏ (originally table manners) 테이블매너
(and another access point from t'eibŭl maenŏ)
Word Division
If they appear without spaces, write them as a single word. (It is useful to also provide an access point in
which the word or words are separated in the same manner as in the original language.)
syeip‘ŭŏp (originally shape up)
(and another access point from syeip‘ŭ ŏp)
셰이프업
t‘eibŭlmaenŏ (originally table manners)
테이블매너
(and another access point from t‘eibŭl maenŏ)
If they appear with a center dot ( . ), write them separately.
syeip‘ŭ ŏp
셰이프 · 업
t‘eibŭl maenŏ
테이블 · 매너
Word Division
6. Personal Names
6A. Write a family name consisting of two characters as a single word. Hyphenate a given
name in two characters or a courtesy name (in place of a given name), and capitalize only
the first letter of the first syllable.
Ch‘oe Ch‘i-wŏn
Yi Kwang-su
Kim So-wŏl
Namgung Kak
Sŏnu Chong-wŏn
崔 致遠
이 광수
金 素月
南宮 珏
鮮于 宗源
6B. Write a pseudonym or other assumed name as one word.
Kim Sakkat
Ch‘ungmugong
김 삿갓
忠武公
Word Division
6C. Write a Buddhist priestly or posthumous name as one word.
Iryŏn
Sŏk Myŏngjŏng
一然
釋 明正
6D. Write a reign title, temple name, or title of nobility as one word without a hyphen.
T‘aejo
Yi Sejong
Kwanggaet‘o Wang
Hyegyŏnggung Hong Ssi
Chang Hŭibin
Hyŏnu Haengja
太祖
李 世宗
廣開土 王
惠慶宮 洪 氏
張 禧嬪
賢愚 行者
Word Division
7. Corporate Names, Geographical Names, Names in Publication Titles, etc.
7A. Treat a corporate name also as a binary compound when possible. Write separately as binary
elements general terms such as 학회 (Hakhoe), 학과 (Hakkwa), 교회 (Kyohoe), etc.
Han’guksa Hakhoe
韓國史 學會
Han’guk Sahakhoe
韓國 史學會
Nasŏng Hanin Changno Kyohoe
라성 한인 장로 교회
Kugŏ Kungmun Hakkwa
國語 國文 學科
Nodong Kijun Chosaguk
勞動 基準 調査局
Han’guk Hyumŏnisŭt‘ŭ-hoe
韓國 휴머니스트·會
7B. Write a proper name, term of address, or publication title separately from its modifier and also
separately from the word it modifies.
Wŏllam Yi Sang-jae Ong
Nanjung ilgi ch‘o
Hŭngsŏn Kun
Kwibong chip
Wŏnye Hakkwa chi
Taegu Maeil Sinmunsa sa
月南
亂中
興宣
龜峯
園藝
大邱
李 商在 翁
日記 抄
君
集
學科 誌
每日 新聞社 史
Word Division
7C. Hyphenate a generic term used as part of the name of a jurisdiction, and indicate
phonetic changes, except in the case of the term 북도 (pukto).
Kangwŏn-do
Kyŏngsang-pukto
Taegu-si
Kahoe-dong
강원도
慶尙北道
大邱市
嘉會洞
7D. Write a generic term for a type of topographic feature, architectural construction, or a
corporate entity used as a part of a proper name, together with its name.
Hallasan
Naktonggang
Tongnimmun
Tonga Ilbosa
Yurisŏng
한라산
낙동강
독립문
東亞 日報社
유리城
Word Division
7E. Treat a generic term for a topographical feature or a jurisdiction also as a binary
element when combined with another word.
T‘aebaek sanmaek
Anju Kunminhoe
Wŏnju kunji
Sŏjangdae Manwŏl Sanjŏng
太白 山脈
安州 郡民會
原州 郡誌
西壯臺 滿月 山頂
8. Abbreviated Forms:
8A. Write contractions which include proper names as a single word.
Yŏngamsaji
Sŏul T‘ŭkpyŏlsirip Namsan Tosŏgwan
靈巖 寺址 (靈巖寺 + 寺址)
서울 特別市立 南山 圖書館
8B. Write an abbreviated or contracted proper name, Korean or foreign, as a single word.
onŭl ŭi Pukhan
Chŏn’gyŏngnyŏn
Chunggongkwŏn ŭi changnae
오늘 의 北韓
全經聯
中共圈 의 將來
Word Division
Specific Rules
8C. Hyphenate abbreviated forms combined coordinately. Do not indicate phonetical
changes. Write a single character substantive as part of the final element in that
combination.
ch‘oesin Pul-Han sajŏn
Sŏul Chung-Kodŭng Hakkyo
sinyŏk Sin-Kuyak chŏnsŏ
chung-tanp‘yŏn sosŏl
Paekhwabon Tang-Song sanmunsŏn
Myŏng-Ch‘ŏng p‘ilgi kosa sŏnyŏk
最新 佛韓 辭典
서울 中高等 學校
新譯 新舊約 全書
中短篇 小說
白話本 唐宋 散文選
명청 필기 고사 선역
Word Division
9. Numerals:
9A. In romanizing numbers and adjacent words, create binaries whenever possible. Write
the preformative element 第 (che) joined to the following number to form a binary.
che-1
第1
cheil
第一
che-3 segye
第3 世界
chesam segye
第三 世界
However, prefer to join a number to a suffix or generic term that follows it with a hyphen
(for example; 次 (ch'a ), 回 (hoe), 번 (pon), 年 (yon )). Do not indicate phonetical
changes after the hyphen. In such cases, when 第 (che) precedes the number, separate it
from the number.
che 1-ch‘a
第 1次
che ilch‘a
第 一次
che 3-chip
第 3輯
In more complex situations, still attempt to create binaries when possible.
cheil, i Konghwaguk
che-1, 2 Konghwaguk
第一 · 二 共和國
第1 · 2 共和國
Word Division
9B. Write a spelled-out cardinal number as one word. In a number over one hundred,
separate by hyphens, without phonetic changes, each unit of ten (十 sip), hundred (百
paek), thousand (千 chon), etc.
ilch‘ŏn-kubaek-yuksipp‘allyon
一九六八年
9C. Treat a contracted form of a cardinal number or calendar year as one word.
yuksibinyŏn saŏp kyehoek
62-yŏn saŏp kyehoek
tosi ch‘ilsibil
tosi 71
六十二年 事業 計劃
62年 事業 計劃
都市 七十一
都市 71
9D. In case of certain contracted numerals that have been firmly established through
common usage, prefer that form.
sa-ilgu haksaeng ŭigŏ
o-illyuk kunsa hyŏngmyŏng
samil undong
四 · 一九 學生 義擧
五 · 一六 軍事 革命
三一 運動
Word Division
9E. In writing native Korean numbers, also attempt to create binaries when possible.
se pŏntchae
ch‘aek nekwŏn
som han’gŭn
so yŏl mari
세
책
솜
소
번째
네권
한근
열 마리
Word Division
Capitalization:
1. Each separately written word of a corporate name (except particles), or an abbreviation thereof, is
capitalized.
Han’guk Ilbosa
韓國 日報社
Taehan Sanggong Hoeŭiso
大韓 商工 會議所
2. Each separate word of a personal name is capitalized.
Yi Kwang-su
李 光洙
Chŏng Yŏn-hŭi
鄭 然喜
3. Titles and terms of address are capitalized.
Pak Taet‘ongnyŏng
Cho Yong-gi Moksa
朴 大統領
조 용기 목사
4. Each separately written word of a geographic name is capitalized. An abbreviated geographical name
is capitalized. An abbreviated geographical name is capitalized in coordinate compounds and at the
beginning of other compound words.
Sŏul T‘ŭkpyŏlsi
서울 특별시
Kyŏngbuk Sup‘il Tonginhoe
경북 수필 동인회
Word Division
Capitalization:
5. The first word of the title of a book, periodical, or series is capitalized.
Hyŏndae kukchepŏp
現代 國際法
Silch‘on munhak ŭi sijip
실천 문학 의 시집
6. Names of dynasties are capitalized.
Yijo obaengnyŏn
Myŏng-Ch‘ŏng sidae
李朝 五百年
明淸 時代
7. A word derived from a proper name is capitalized only if the name retains its full, original meaning.
Yangmyŏnghak yŏn’gu
陽明學 硏究
Hyŏndae wa K‘ŭrisŭch‘yan ŭi sinang
현대 와 크리스챤 의 신앙
8. Abbreviated forms combined coordinately are capitalized if called for by these guidelines.
Sin-Kuyak Sŏngsŏ
新舊約 聖書
Siryong Pul-Han sajŏn
실용 불한 사전
9. In all other cases, follow the directions found in the officially designated style manual.
Word Division
Punctuation
1. A centered point ( . ) indicating coordinate words is generally transcribed as a comma,
except where the rules require a hyphen.
Chung-Kodŭng Hakkyo
Nam-Pukhan kyŏngje hyŏmnyŏk
中 · 高等 學校
南 · 北韓 經濟 協力
In other instances, it may be transcribed or not transcribed, depending on the context.
Sa-ilgu ŭi minjungsa
Chang Tae-uk chŏ
Iryŏp, Itang sihwajip
四 · 一九 의 民衆史
張大郁 · 著
一葉 · 日堂 詩畵集
2. Brackets used in the manner of quotation marks ( " ... " ) are transcribed as the latter.
"Munhak kwa chisŏng" siinsŏn
"Si wa haebang" tongin sijip
[文學 과 知性] 詩人選
[詩 와 解放] 동인 시집
Word Division
Dictionaries to be Used as Authorities in Korean
To determine standard contemporary pronunciation in South Korea and North Korea:
Nam, Kwang-u. Han’gugŏ p‘yojun parŭm sajŏn. (Kyŏnggi-do Sŏngnam-si: Han’guk
Chŏngsin Munhwa Yŏn’guwon, 1984)
南 廣祐.
韓國語 標準 發音 辭典
Hyŏndae Chosŏnmal sajŏn. Che 2-p'an. ([P‘yŏngyang]: Kwahak, Paekkwa, Sajŏn
Ch‘ulp‘ansa, 1981)
현대 조선말 사전
As the basis for word division decisions for contemporary publications from South Korea and North
Korea:
Sinp‘yŏn kugŏ taesajŏn. (Sŏul T‘ŭkpyŏlsi: Taeyŏng Ch‘ulp‘ansa, 1976)
신편 국어 대사전
Hyŏndae Chosŏnmal sajŏn. (1981)
현대 조선말 사전
Word Division
Dictionaries to be Used as Authorities in Korean
Supplementary source for word division decisions for classical Korean publications:
Ko pŏpchŏn yongŏjip. ([Seoul]: Pŏpchech‘ŏ, 1979)
古 法典 用語集
To determine reading and pronunciation of Chinese characters:
Chang, Sam-sik. Tae Han-Han sajŏn. (Sŏul T‘ŭkpyŏlsi: Sŏngmunsa, 1964)
張 三植. 大 漢韓 辭典
Sin chajŏn. ([Seoul]: Sinmun’gwan, 1915; Reprint: [Seoul]: Cho Yŏng-sung, 1973)
新 字典
Word Division
SPECIAL CHARACTERS AND CHARACTER MODIFIERS IN ROMANlZATION
Special Characters
٫
٬
Name
alif
ayn
Character Modifiers
˘
USMARC hexadecimal code
AE
B0
Name
breve
USMARC hexadecimal code
E6
Word Division Exercise
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
국어문장의형성원리연구
대한민국의문화유적
武林士官學校
그녀의웃는모습이아름답다
이땅에서학문하기
나를찾아서떠난거리
아이의가슴에는부모가산다
마음의짐을내려놓고
세월이빨리감을
아흔아홉통의행복찾기
백가지방법
삼백육십오일의행복
다국적기업경영론
참사랑의의미를깨닫다
남북한정상회담
이요셉
차배옥덕
이율곡
가톨릭민주청년공동체
의암선생항쟁기
Word Division Exercise answer
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
국어문장의형성원리연구
대한민국의문화유적
武林士官學校
그녀의웃는모습이아름답다
이땅에서학문하기
나를찾아서떠난거리
아이의가슴에는부모가산다
마음의짐을내려놓고
세월이빨리감을
아흔아홉통의행복찾기
백가지방법
삼백육십오일의행복
다국적기업경영론
참사랑의의미를깨닫다
남북한정상회담
이요셉
차배옥덕
이율곡
가톨릭민주청년공동체
의암선생항쟁기
: Kugŏ munjang ŭi hyŏngsŏng wŏlli
: Taehan Min’guk ŭi munhwa yujŏk
: Murim Sagwan Hakkyo
: Kŭnyŏ ŭi unnŭn mosŭp i arŭmdapta
: I ttang esŏ hangmun hagi
: Na rŭl ch‘ajasŏ ttŏnan kŏri
: Ai ŭi kasŭm enŭn pumo ka sanda
: Maŭm ŭi chim ŭl naeryŏ nok‘o
: Sewŏl i ppalli kam ŭl
: Ahŭnahop t‘ong ŭi haengbok ch‘atki
: Paek kaji pangbŏp
: Sambaek-yuksiboil ŭi haengbok
: Tagukchŏk kiŏp kyŏngyŏngnon
: Ch‘amsarang ŭi ŭimi rŭl kkaedatta
: Nam-Pukhan Chŏngsang Hoedam
: Yi Yosep
: Ch‘a Pae Ok-tŏk
: Yi Yulgok
: Kat‘ollik Minju Ch‘ŏngnyŏn Kongdongch‘e
: Ŭiam Sŏnsaeng hangjaenggi
Brief Description of Revision
Revision Goals
• Base the guidelines upon the standard Korean practice (such as the Revised
Korean Spelling System (1988)), which is commonly recognized by
Korean people and Korean studies scholars.
• Simplify the principles and rules, so the users are able to use and able to
easily remember them.
• Apply the same philosophy and principles throughout the whole guidelines.
• Minimize the number of exceptions.
• Simplify the terminology that is used in the guidelines.
• Insofar as possible, have the guidelines facilitate machine searching in
large databases.
• Add more examples.
Revision Examples of Romanization
Medialㄷ after ㄹ
When medialㄷ appears as a syllabic initial after ㄹ, romanize as lt or ld to
represent its pronunciation accurately.
yultong
율동
iltang
일당
but Sǒuldae (not Sǒultae)
서울대
Wǒldǔk‘ǒp (not Wǒltǔk‘ǒp)월드컵
Revision Examples of Romanization
ㅎ, ㄶ, ㅀ
(a) When syllabic final ㄱ, ㅂand ㅅ are combined with a syllabic initial ㅎ,
always romanize as kh, ph and th.
–
–
–
–
–
–
Pukhan
kukhak
hakhoe
hyŏphoe
yŏkhal
pukhaek
북한
국학
학회
협회
역할
북핵
(b) When syllabic final ㄷand ㅈ are combined with a syllabic initial ㅎ,
romanize as ch‘.
–
–
–
–
tach‘ida
kkoch‘ida
ich‘yŏjin
mach ‘yŏng
닫히다
꽂히다
잊혀진
맏형
Revision Examples of Romanization
Words of Western Origin
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–
–
–
–
–
tijain
Pet‘ŭnam
chero
linnen
radio
resŭlling
not
not
not
ninnen
nadio
nesǔlling
디자인
베트남
제로
린넨
라디오
레슬링
Revision Examples of Romanization
Romanization of Archaic Korean (옛한글)
Insofar as possible, strictly apply McCune-Reischauer rules and tables for the
romanization of vowels and consonants to the written forms of the words when
romanizing archaic Korean. Do not attempt to romanize archaic Korean following
what may be the current pronunciation.
텬쥬
T‘yŏnjyu (not Ch‘ŏnju )
조션
셥리
약됴
Chosyŏn (not Chosŏn )
syŏmni (not sŏmni )
yaktyo (not yakcho )
Revision Examples of Word Division
Each part of speech is to be separated from other parts of speech. The
guidelines recognize 9 categories of parts of speech:
Particle
Noun
Pronoun
Numeral
Verb
Adjective
Adnominal adjective
Adverb
Exclamation
조사
명사
대명사
수사
동사
형용사
관형사
부사
감탄사
Note: Affixes (접사) are not considered to be a separate part of speech.
Revision Examples of Word Division
Basic Principles
1. Nouns (명사), Pronouns (대명사), Imperfect Nouns (불완전 명사)
2. Adjectives (형용사)
3. Adnominal adjectives (관형사)
4. Verbs (동사)
5. Adverbs (부사)
6. Particles (조사)
7. Exclamations (감탄사)
8. Numerals (수사)
9. Affixes (접사)
10. Abbreviated Forms (줄임말, 약어, 등)
11. Scientific terms, nomenclature, etc. (전문 용어, 등)
12. Terms of Western Origin (외래어)
13. Personal Names (인명)
14. Corporate names, Geographical names, Publication titles, etc. (기관명, 지명, 서명 등)
Capitalization
Punctuation
Special Characters and Character Modifiers in Romanization (특수 부호)
Appendix 1: Suggested Dictionaries
Appendix 2: List of Auxiliary verbs
Appendix 3: List of numeral quantifiers
Appendix 4: List of Prefixes
Appendix 5: List of Suffixes
Appendix 6: List of Imperfect Nouns
Revision Examples of Word Division
Structure of Chapter
Chapter 1. Nouns (명사), Pronouns (대명사), Imperfect Nouns (불완전 명사)
Guidelines
(a) Separate a noun, pronoun, or imperfect noun from other parts of speech.
모란꽃 필 무렵
Morankkot p‘il muryŏp
국어 문장 의 형성 원리 연구
Kugŏ munjang ŭi hyŏngsŏng wŏlli
(b) Separate a compound noun into binary elements without doing harm to the original
meaning.
대중 가요 와 대중 문학
대한 민국 의 문화 유적
Taejung kayo wa taejung munhak
Taehan Min’guk ŭi munhwa yujŏk.
Exception 1: Write a derived word formed by the addition of a single character
modifier, affix or substantive as a single word.
韓國 과 韓國人
不動産 評價
Han’guk kwa Han’gugin
Pudongsan p‘yŏngka
Revision Examples of Word Division
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Appendix 1: Suggested Dictionaries
Appendix 2: List of Auxiliary verbs
Appendix 3: List of numeral quantifiers
Appendix 4: List of Prefixes
Appendix 5: List of Suffixes
Appendix 6: List of Imperfect Nouns
Thanks
Young Ki Lee
Senior Cataloging Specialist
Korean/Chinese Team
RCCD
Library of Congress
Tel: 202-707-4251
Fax: 202-707-2824
Email: ylee@loc.gov