Learning Korean

[Mystes]

Well, that was part of the point when the Korean alphabet was created.

There are 2 kind of writings, I think?

[ainsoph9]

Well, you have hangul and Chinese characters, but the Chinese characters are mostly used for calligraphic and naming purposes. Everything else usually falls under hangul.

[Mystes]

So wait, is your name in Korean with hangul or Chinese chars?

[ainsoph9]

You can write it both ways more or less. However, it is the family name that is modified by the Chinese characters. For example, one of the most common names in Korea is Kim. Yet, if you do a little research, you will find that there are three houses of Kim. Depending on the Chinese character, your house will change, which affects your ancestry obviously.

[Mystes]

I see...are the 3 ways to say "Kim" different? Like, the tone?

[ainsoph9]

Korean is atonal, if I recall correctly. It is one of those differences that is made only in writing.

[Mystes]

So you have 33% of chance to get the name right just by hearing?

[ainsoph9]

That is if you are from one of the houses of Kim. Although, if we are just talking about things phonetically, it would be a 100% chance hit.

[Mystes]

There are "Kim"s...are there a lot of "Lee"s too? I remember a lot of them at my school had that name.

[ainsoph9]

Lee is another common Korean name, yes.