Explanation 1 · Principles of Creation

Strengthening by adding strokes

    In Hangul, strokes are added to consonant letters to indicate
    a stronger sound.
    ㅋ (Keu-iK or Keu)[kʰ] is made by adding a stroke to ㄱ
    (Geu-iG) because it is pronounced with more force.


    The same principle applies to:
    ㄴ (Neu-iN) becoming ㄷ(Deu-iD), and
    ㄷ (Deu-iD) becoming ㅌ(Teu-iT).
    ㅁ (Meu-iM) becoming ㅂ(Beu-iB), and
    ㅂ (Beu-iB) becoming ㅍ(Peu-iP).
    ㅅ (Seu-iS) becoming ㅈ (Jeu-iJ), and
    ㅈ (Jeu-iJ) becoming ㅊ (Cheu-iCh).
    ㅇ [◌eu-i] becoming ㆆ [ʔeu-iʔ], and
    ㆆ [ʔeu-iʔ] becoming ㅎ (Heu-iH).
    In all these cases, the added strokes indicate a stronger or
    more emphatic sound.




    Principles of creation - Initial consonants                    79