kugyŏl

Korean writing

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June 30, 2026

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The term "kugyŏl" refers to a system of abridged Chinese characters used to denote grammatical elements within texts, primarily for transcription purposes. This system was one of several transcription methods developed in Korea before the invention of Hangul, the Korean alphabet. While Korean has a long history, a native writing system like Hangul only emerged in the mid-15th century. Before Hangul, Korean literature was often written in Classical Chinese or using transcription systems like idu, hyangch'al, and kugyŏl to represent Korean sounds and grammar. Hangul, composed of 14 consonants and 10 vowels, is now the official writing system in both South and North Korea.12

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Korean literature
In another system, kugyŏl, abridged versions of Chinese characters were used to denote grammatical elements and were inserted into texts during transcription. Extant literary works indicate, however, that before the 20th century much of Korean literature was written in Chinese rather than in Korean, even after the invention…
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In another system, kugyŏl, abridged versions of Chinese characters were used to denote grammatical elements and were inserted into texts during transcription. Extant literary works indicate, however, that before the 20th century much of Korean literature was written in Chinese rather than in Korean, even after the invention…
Read More