How to Type in Korean and How to Practice Typing Faster

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When learning a new language with a new writing system many people like to focus on how to write or type in the language. While writing is not strictly necessary unless you live in the country, typing will be very handy for when you need to look up a word, search for things or even have conversations. So how can we go from not having a clue where the keys are to touch typing. While this guide is aimed at Korean, the tips can be used for any language.

On screen Korean keyboard

Installing the keyboard

Before you go out ordering stickers or buying a new keyboard, you must know that none of those are necessary to actually be able to type in Korean. Let's first install the Korean keyboard by going into the language settings on our computer and clicking the 'add preferred language' button. From here we can choose Korean by searching for 'Korean' or '한국어'. 

We will then be able to use our keyboard to type Hangeul, you should see the icon in the bottom right of the taskbar that will say 한 or Eng. Make sure it is on 한 and you will now be able to type in Korean and English(US layout) without having to change settings. Pressing right alt will allow you to switch between 한글 and English inputs.

Similarly on our Phone we can add keyboards of different languages without having to change our phone language. Once installed on your device you will be able to access it on the keyboard itself. For iOS users it will be in the bottom left section that allows you to change keyboards and for Android users or atleast Samsung keyboard users, you simply swipe left or right on the space bar to change input.

Layout for Samsung keyboard

The Keyboard Layout

Now that we have the keyboard installed, we want to familiarise ourselves with the keyboard layout. If you're on Windows and I presume it works on Mac you can search on-screen keyboard, using the search function in the bottom left. Alternatively you can search Google or your search engine of choice for the Korean keyboard layout. The standard layout will be 두벌식 or Korean Type 101.

Okay so let's take a look at the keyboard itself. You will notice that all the consonants(자음) are on the left hand side of the keyboard and all the vowels(모음) are on the right hand side of the keyboard.

Although the vowels are not a perfect pattern you will notice most of the double vowels ㅛ, ㅕ, ㅑ, ㅐ, ㅒ, ㅔ, ㅖ are on the top row. the vowels that contain a vertical line ㅓ, ㅏ, ㅣ  are in the middle, with ㅗ being the exception. and the bottom row are horizontal ㅠ, ㅜ, ㅡ.

The consonants however are extremely well laid out. On the top row we have all the consonants that can be tensed ㅂ, ㅈ, ㄷ,ㄱ,ㅅ. By holding shift we can get the tensed versions ㅃ, ㅉ, ㄸ, ㄲ, ㅆ. The second row are all nasal sounds ㅁ, ㄴ, ㅇ, ㄹ except ㅎ which is aspirated sound. Then the final row contains all the aspirated vowels ㅋ, ㅌ, ㅊ, ㅍ, bar ㅎ.

두벌식 keyboard layout

Hopefully understanding this will help you to remember the sounds of Korean better as well as their location on the keyboard.

Practicing typing

Now that we know what the keyboard looks like and how to use it how do we go about learning naturally where to put our fingers on the keyboard. Well like we can in our native language, there is no easy way, we just have to put time in. However there are a couple ways we can go about brute forcing the process. It might seem like you're just guessing at first but you will quickly get used to the layout.

Make a habit of searching words using the Korean keyboard rather than copy and pasting them. The more you type the better you will get, so why avoid the simplest and most effective way to get practice in. This will also be necessary later on when you cannot copy a word or see a word written down and have to type it out.

Deliberately practicing how to type in Korean especially when you are just starting will reap the most benefits as like with everything you will get diminishing returns. You can find any content online that has a few paragraphs like a blog or a news post and type them out. There's no need to feel discouraged if you feel it's taking a long time, you won't learn how to type over night. 

Typing speed after 2 years

If you are a person that likes to challenge themselves, I highly recommend this website. Although it is designed to test typing speed it gives you a set number of words that are very common so you will even get used to typing those words while learning where all the keys are. You can race yourself against the timer or you can just use it to see if you are improving.

Don't expect too much but you should be typing relatively fast, probably 30-40 words per minute after about 3 months all in all. Ultimately you will get out what you put in like with any mechanical skill. My main advice for getting quicker at typing is, practice, practice, practice.

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