Stress and intonation
Which parts stand out, and how does the voice rise and fall?
의미
The way your voice makes parts stand out, rises and falls helps the listener understand your message. These sound choices can highlight a contrast, signal a question or show your attitude. Languages use different patterns, and some have no word stress. Tone concerns pitch patterns that distinguish words or grammatical forms, rather than the emphasis and melody of a whole message.
알아보는 방법
Listen for syllables or words that stand out and for rises and falls in the voice, then compare how changing these patterns changes the message.
모국어에서는
Standard Seoul Korean does not have word stress that distinguishes word meanings. Sentence melody and prominence can mark a question, highlight a correction, or convey surprise. Many everyday -요 sentences can be statements or questions depending on their intonation, the way the voice rises and falls.
지금 가요. (Jigeum gayo.)
A falling ending commonly presents this as a statement.
지금 가요? (Jigeum gayo?)
A rising ending can make the same wording a question.
내일이 아니라 오늘 와요. (Naeiri anira oneul wayo.)
Giving 오늘 extra prominence highlights the correction.