batchim

Batchim, also known as jongseong, is the final consonant of a Hangul syllable. In a Hangul block, a syllable typically consists of an initial consonant (choseong), a vowel (jungseong), and an optional final consonant (jongseong). The term batchim is the common name in Korean, while jongseong is the technical term used in linguistics.

There are 27 possible jongseong endings, including the absence of a final consonant. The set includes single-consonant endings such as ㄱ, ㄴ, ㄷ, ㄹ, ㅁ, ㅂ, ㅅ, ㅇ, ㅈ, ㅊ, ㅋ, ㅌ, ㅍ, ㅎ, as well as compound endings formed by combining two consonants, such as ㄳ, ㄵ, ㄶ, ㄺ, ㄻ, ㄼ, ㄽ, ㄾ, ㄿ, ㅀ, and ㅄ. These endings are written at the bottom right of the syllable block as the jongseong.

In pronunciation, the batchim is realized as the syllable’s final sound (a coda). The specific pronunciation depends on the consonant or cluster used; the same letter as a final consonant often differs from its initial-consonant sound. For example, 밥 (bap) ends with ㅂ, 한 (han) ends with ㄴ, and 국 (guk) ends with ㄱ.

In writing and linguistics, batchim affects syllable structure, rhyme, and word formation, and is a key part of Hangul education. It helps distinguish otherwise similar syllables and plays a role in spelling, pronunciation, and reading instruction.