Hangul meaning: 한글 is the name of the Korean alphabet, formed from 한 ("great" or "Korean") and 글 ("script"). The name was popularised in the early 1910s, and it names the writing system, not the language.
What Is the Hangul Meaning?
The Hangul meaning is "great script" or "Korean script", and the name carries both ideas at once. The syllable 한 can be read two ways. It is a native Korean word meaning "great" or "big", and it is also the Sino-Korean 韓, the "Han" of 한국 (Korea). Scholars and teachers usually present both readings as acceptable. The syllable 글 is a native word meaning "writing" or "script".
How the Name Hangul Was Formed
The name was formed by joining one syllable of each kind. 한 comes in two readings, 글 is native Korean, and together they make a new two-syllable word, 한글. Most Korean script names are Sino-Korean (made from Chinese roots), so a name built partly from a native word suits an alphabet meant for ordinary Korean speakers.
Who Named the Korean Alphabet Hangul?
The linguist Ju Si-gyeong (주시경) is credited with popularising the name Hangul in the early 1910s. He taught Korean grammar and led groups that studied and promoted the language, and the name spread from there. The exact first use is uncertain, so sources say "around 1912 to 1913". The earlier name for the script, Hunminjeongeum, is the 1446 title. The name spread further as Hangul became official.
Hangul vs Hangeul vs Han'gŭl
Hangul, Hangeul and Han'gŭl are three English spellings of the same Korean word, 한글. They differ only in the romanization system.
| Spelling | System | Where you see it |
|---|---|---|
| Hangeul | Revised Romanization (2000) | South Korean government and museum texts |
| Han'gŭl | McCune-Reischauer | academic books and older libraries |
| Hangul | common English form | media, dictionaries, this site |
The spelling Hangeul follows Revised Romanization, which writes the vowel ㅡ as "eu". Hangul is shorter and more familiar, which is why this site uses it.
Earlier Names of the Script
Before 한글, the script had several names, each with a different attitude.
- 훈민정음 / 정음 (1446): the original official names, meaning "the correct sounds for instructing the people" and, in short, "correct sounds".
- 언문 (eonmun): "vernacular script", used for centuries, often in contrast with Chinese writing.
- 국문 (gungmun): "national script", used from the 1894 reforms as the script gained official status.
Each name reflects what people thought the script was for. North Korea uses a different modern name, Chosŏn'gŭl.
Is Hangul the Name of the Korean Language?
No. Hangul names the script, not the language. Learners often say "I am learning Hangul" when they mean "I am learning Korean". Hangul is the alphabet you read and write. The language is 한국어 (Hangugeo). Learning the letters is a short first step, while learning the language takes far longer.
Related Hangul Terms
Learn the script itself in the Korean alphabet hub. Next, read the history of Hangul. For related definitions, browse the Hangul terms glossary. In short, the Hangul meaning is "the great script of Korea".
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you pronounce 한글? 한글 is pronounced han-geul. The first syllable has the "a" of "father", and the second is "geul", with the vowel ㅡ, which has no exact English match: say "oo" with spread, unrounded lips. English speakers often say "hahn-gool", turning ㅡ into ㅜ. The Revised Romanization spelling Hangeul shows the vowel more accurately than Hangul.
Why do some books write Hangeul? Hangeul is the official Revised Romanization spelling used in South Korea since 2000, and the Korean government uses it in English texts. Hangul is the older and more common English spelling, and Han'gŭl is the McCune-Reischauer spelling used in academic books. All three spell the same word, 한글.
What do North Koreans call Hangul? North Korea calls the script 조선글 (Chosŏn'gŭl), meaning "Korean script", using an older name for Korea. The letters are the same, with slightly different alphabetical order and some different names for the letters. South Koreans use 한글 for the script and 한국어 for the language.
Is eonmun an insult? Not always, but it is no longer the standard word. 언문 meant "vernacular script" and was used for centuries, partly in contrast with Chinese writing, which scholars ranked higher. Some people therefore find it condescending. Today it appears mainly in historical texts, and 한글 is the neutral modern term.
