Korean Keyboard Layout: A Korean keyboard typically uses the Hangul writing system, which is the alphabet used to write the Korean language. There are different ways to input Korean characters on a keyboard, but two of the most common methods are:
1. 2-Set Korean Keyboard Layout (두벌식)
This is the most widely used Korean keyboard layout. The layout is based on combining consonants and vowels to form syllables. Here’s a breakdown:
- Consonants (자음):
- Q = ㅂ (b/p)
- W = ㅈ (j)
- E = ㄷ (d/t)
- R = ㄱ (g/k)
- T = ㅅ (s)
- Y = ㅁ (m)
- U = ㅛ (yo)
- I = ㅕ (yeo)
- O = ㅑ (ya)
- P = ㅐ (ae)
- A = ㅁ (m)
- S = ㄴ (n)
- D = ㅇ (ng)
- F = ㅍ (p)
- G = ㅋ (k)
- H = ㅌ (t)
- J = ㅊ (ch)
- K = ㅎ (h)
- L = ㅅ (s)
- ; = ㅇ (ng)
- Vowels (모음):
- A = ㅏ (a)
- E = ㅓ (eo)
- I = ㅗ (o)
- E can be changed depending on added
The Korean keyboard layout commonly used for typing in Hangul (the Korean alphabet) is the 2-Set Korean Keyboard (두벌식), which is the most prevalent layout. Here’s a breakdown of the layout:
Korean 2-Set Keyboard Layout (두벌식)
The consonants are typed using the left side of the keyboard.
| Key | Korean Character | Key | Korean Character |
Q | ㅂ | W | ㅈ |
E | ㄷ | R | ㄱ |
T | ㅅ | Y | ㅁ |
U | ㅛ | I | ㅕ |
O | ㅑ | P | ㅐ |
A | ㅁ | S | ㄴ |
D | ㅇ | F | ㅍ |
G | ㅋ | H | ㅌ |
J | ㅊ | K | ㅎ |
L | ㅅ | ; | ㅇ |
Z | ㄱ | X | ㄴ |
C | ㄷ | V | ㄹ |
B | ㅁ | N | ㅁ |
The vowels are typed using the right side of the keyboard.
| Key | Korean Character | Key | Korean Character |
A | ㅏ | S | ㅓ |
D | ㅗ | F | ㅜ |
G | ㅡ | H | ㅣ |
- The Korean keyboard layout allows you to input syllables by typing a combination of consonants and vowels. A single key press corresponds to a specific Hangul letter, and typing a consonant followed by a vowel (or multiple consonants) forms a syllable.
- Some keys will produce final consonants when typed after a vowel combination, forming complete Hangul syllables.
- Shift + consonant: Produces a double consonant (e.g.,
Shift + Rgives ㅃ). - Shift + vowel: Produces a diphthong or combined vowel (e.g.,
Shift + Agives ㅑ). - Common punctuation and symbols on the Korean layout are accessed by the Shift key, such as:
Shift + 1= !Shift + 2= @Shift + 3= #Shift + 4= $- etc.
This layout is efficient for Korean typing as it allows fast typing with fewer key presses compared to other phonetic layouts.
- There are other layouts, such as 3-set Korean (삼벌식), but the 2-set layout is by far the most common.
There are several types of Korean keyboard layouts, each catering to different needs and preferences. The most common are:
1. 2-Set Korean Keyboard (두벌식, Du-Beol-Sik)
This is the standard and most widely used Korean keyboard layout. It is efficient and allows quick typing by combining consonants (자음) and vowels (모음) into syllables (한글).
- Layout: Consonants are typed on the left side of the keyboard, and vowels are typed on the right side.
- Usage: It’s the default layout on most modern devices (computers, phones, etc.) in Korea.
- Special Features: It allows for fast typing, as it combines consonants and vowels with minimal key presses.
- Consonants:
Q= ㅂ,W= ㅈ,E= ㄷ,R= ㄱ,T= ㅅ,Y= ㅁ, and so on. - Vowels:
A= ㅏ,S= ㅓ,D= ㅗ,F= ㅜ, and so on.
2. 3-Set Korean Keyboard (삼벌식, Sam-Beol-Sik)
The 3-set keyboard layout adds additional keys for more efficient typing by including double consonants and complex vowels. It’s not as widely used as the 2-set, but it’s common among people who type extensively in Korean, as it reduces finger movement.
- Layout: In addition to the consonants and vowels of the 2-set layout, this keyboard has additional keys for double consonants (e.g., ㅃ, ㄲ) and diphthongs (e.g., ㅑ, ㅛ).
- Usage: Used by those who need to type quickly and efficiently, such as typists or those with high volumes of written Korean.(Logitech Keyboard)
3. Hangul Keyboard (한글 자판, Han-Geul Ja-Pan)
This layout is often used on older devices or specialized systems. It’s essentially an older version of the keyboard used in the early stages of Korean typing.
- Layout: Similar to the 2-set but may have slight variations in how the keys are arranged.
- Usage: This layout is increasingly obsolete, though some older Korean devices may still use it.
4. Romanized Korean (로마자 입력, Romaja Input)
This is not a traditional “Hangul” keyboard layout but is an alternative input method. It allows users to type in Korean using the Roman alphabet, where the system automatically converts Roman characters into Hangul.
- Layout: The user types Korean words phonetically using the Roman alphabet, and the system converts the input to Hangul.
- Usage: Useful for beginners or those not familiar with the Korean keyboard layout. It’s commonly used for messaging and informal contexts, especially for people who don’t know the exact Hangul characters but can pronounce them.
5. Virtual Korean Keyboard (가상 자판)
- Layout: This is a digital representation of the Korean keyboard that you can use on websites or within software applications.
- Usage: Often used for typing Korean on devices or systems without physical Korean keyboards, or on virtual platforms that provide this feature (such as in web-based apps or international operating systems).
6. Korean Keyboard Layout for Mobile (Mobile Devices)
For mobile phones and tablets, the layout may differ slightly. Most modern smartphones (e.g., Android or iOS) allow users to choose between Hangul input methods and Romanized input.
- Layout: On mobile devices, the layout switches between Hangul and Romanized typing, and it is typically designed for touchscreen use, making it more compact and adaptable to smaller screens.
- Special Features: Many mobile keyboards provide predictive text and auto-correction features in Korean, enhancing typing speed and accuracy.
7. Custom and Specialized Layouts
Some users may opt for custom layouts or specialized keyboards for specific tasks, like transcription, language learning, or accessibility needs.
- Layout: These keyboards may have extra keys or modified layouts for unique needs (e.g., adding more function keys for typing specific characters more easily).
- Usage: These are used by a niche group of typists or specialized devices and are not common for general use.
Comparison of the Most Common Korean Layouts:
| Layout Type | Key Features | Usage | Prevalence |
| 2-Set (두벌식) | Most widely used, simple layout, consonants on left | Default for most Korean speakers | Very high |
| 3-Set (삼벌식) | More efficient for fast typing with additional keys | Typists, professional use | Moderate |
| Hangul Keyboard (한글 자판) | Older layout, similar to 2-set | Older devices, specialized uses | Low (outdated) |
| Romanized Input | Type in Roman alphabet, auto-converts to Hangul | Beginners, informal communication | Low to moderate |
| Mobile Keyboard | Optimized for small screens, touch-based | Phones, tablets | Very high |
| Virtual Keyboard | Web-based keyboard for Korean input | Online platforms, international use | Moderate to low |
Conclusion:
The 2-set Korean keyboard (두벌식) is the most commonly used layout, especially for general use, while the 3-set (삼벌식) layout is preferred by people who need to type Korean quickly and efficiently. The Romanized and virtual keyboards are more specialized, and mobile devices offer more flexibility in how you input Korean.
