halcyon_morn (

halcyon_morn) wrote,
2008-06-06 16:40:00

The Dong Bang Names Post!

Oops. I did it again. But this time it's THE DONG BANG NAMES POST!

Or, you know, a Dong Bang names post. What I've done is to prepare the following information about the members' names and present it in the following format:

Name
Hangul: The name as written in the Korean phonemic alphabet, hangul.

Korean Romanization: The name romanized according to the rules of the Revised Romanization system favored by the South Korean government.

Hanja: The name in Chinese characters, called hanja in Korean.

Chinese Romanization: The reading of these characters in Mandarin Chinese as romanized in pinyin.
Japanese Romanization: The Sino-Japanese reading of the characters as romanized in the Hepburn system. As there are often multiple readings for Chinese characters in Japanese, I chose readings based on the meanings of the characters and similarity with Korean pronunciation.

Pronunciation:

IPA: The pronunciation of the name as rendered in the International Phonetic Alphabet for those who want to make sure their pronunciation is as accurate as possible. Short explanations of all symbols used can be found at the bottom of this entry.
English Approximation: A rough guide using English sounds to approximate the name's pronunciation for those who aren't interested in the linguistic nitty-gritty; as such, it will not result in completely accurate pronunciation. What's more, the pronunciation of vowels in English varies significantly across dialects. I speak Inland Northern American English and my examples are chosen based on my pronunciation. I have tried to note examples in which this will make a difference, but it is possible that I have missed some.

Meaning: Note that in the case of surnames, the others meanings of the character often have little to do with its use and perception as a name.

First Character: The various meanings of the first character of the name according to the 네이버 한자사전 (Naver Hanja Dictionary). The principal meaning is italicized.
Second Character: The same for the second character of the name.
As A Whole: An attempt to put the meanings of the two characters together and come up with a meaning for the name as a whole. There are multiple interpretations possible—feel free to think up your own. ~~And please don't be offended by the content under strikethrough; I mean it purely in jest.~~

Notes: Miscellaneous notes. Information on surname prevalence from Wikipedia.

A request before proceeding: I have a background in linguistics, but I know next to nothing about Chinese and have only a linguist's knowledge of Korean, so if you see any mistakes please do point them out. That said, enjoy!

GIVEN NAMES

Jaejoong
Hangul: 재중

Korean Romanization: Jaejung

Hanja: 在中

Chinese Romanization: Zàizhōng
Japanese Romanization: Zaichū

Pronunciation:

IPA: tɕεdʑuŋ
English Approximation: The first syllable is pronounced like the English word "jet" without the "t" sound. The second syllable is pronounced like the English word "Jew" with an "ng" sound at the end.

Meaning:

First Character: to be, exist; to look for, seek; a place
Second Character: the center, the middle, inside; an interval, a relationship; progress, advancement; mind, heart; to be right, to fit; straight, upright; to penetrate; level, even
As A Whole: One who is "in the center of things." ~~Also, "be" + "penetrate." Do with this what you will, slash fans. XD~~

Notes: Jaejoong's name is also a word in Korean that means "contained within" and can be used to mark envelopes with their contents. In addition,

leebbeunee reminds me that the hanja for his name can also be used to mean "in China," and notes that the simple nature of these characters is a reflection of Jaejoong's poorer background.

Yunho
Hangul: 윤호

Korean Romanization: Yunho

Hanja: 允浩

Chinese Romanization: Yǔnhào
Japanese Romanization: Inkō

Pronunciation:

IPA: juno
English Approximation: It really does sound like the words "you know."

Meaning:

First Character: eldest (son); truth; trust, belief; trustworthy, reliable, dependable; suitable, appropriate; consent, approve; to flatter
Second Character: broad, wide; vast, immense; big; splendid, grand; plentiful, ample; proud
As A Whole: A "wonderful eldest son." ~~"To flatter" + "big." Again, do with this what you will...~~

Yoochun
Hangul: 유천

Korean Romanization: Yucheon

Hanja: 有天

Chinese Romanization: Yǒutiān
Japanese Romanization: Yūten

Pronunciation:

IPA: jutɕ^hʌn
English Approximation: The first syllable is pronounced as in the English word "you." The second syllable is like the English word "gun" with a "ch" sound at the beginning instead of the "g" sound.

Meaning:

First Character: to be, exist; to have; maybe; possession, ownership, property
Second Character: the sky, the heavens; God; a monarch, sovereign, emperor; nature; (movement of) the heavenly bodies; natural disposition, temperament; fate; will, volition; father, husband
As A Whole: One "in the heavens," or possibly "a natural." ~~Or "maybe yo' baby-daddy?" D:~~

Notes: Again,

leebbeunee notes that simple Chinese characters such as those used for Yoochun's name are often a reflection of a poorer background.

Junsu
Hangul: 준수

Korean Romanization: Junsu

Hanja: 俊秀

Chinese Romanization: Jùnxiù
Japanese Romanization: Shunshū

Pronunciation:

IPA: tɕunsu
English Approximation: The first syllable is pronounced as in the English word "June." The second syllable is pronounced as in the English word "sue."

Meaning:

First Character: a man of great ability and wisdom; excellent, outstanding; good, fair;prominent, eminent; big; noble; beautiful, good-looking
Second Character: eminent, distinguished; to spring from on high; fine, admirable; to grow (up); a flower blossom; beautiful; thick, luxuriant
As A Whole: ~~"Big and thick." ...I'm sorry! it's just too easy!~~ "An eminent man of great ability and wisdom." :D

Notes: Interestingly, the Chinese characters for Junsu's name are the same characters often used to write the Japanese name "Toshihide." No other member has characters that are used by the Japanese as a name.

Changmin
Hangul: 창민

Korean Romanization: Changmin

Hanja: 昌珉

Chinese Romanization: Chāngmín
Japanese Romanization: Shōmin

Pronunciation:

IPA: tɕ^haŋmin
English Approximation: The first syllable is pronounced like the English word "charm" with an "ng" sound at the end instead of the "rm" sound. The second syllable is pronounced as in the English word "mean."

Meaning:

First Character: prosper, flourish; beautiful, lovely; good, virtuous; advocate, promote; joy; a splendid horse; an iris (flower)
Second Character: a precious stone, a gem
As A Whole: ~~"Family jewels like a stud horse," ifyouknowwhatI'msayin'. :D~~ "A beautiful gem."

SURNAMES

Kim
surname of Jaejoong and Junsu

Hangul: 김

Korean Romanization: Gim

Hanja: 金

Chinese Romanization: Jīn
Japanese Romanization: Kin

Pronunciation:

IPA: kim
English Approximation: Pronounced like the English word "scheme" without the "s" sound.

Meaning: gold; metal; money, wealth; weapons, arms

Notes: About 1 in 5 Koreans is named Kim, making it the most common surname in the South Korea.

Park
surname of Yoochun

Hangul: 박

Korean Romanization: Bak

Hanja: 朴

Chinese Romanization: Pǔ
Japanese Romanization: Boku

Pronunciation:

IPA: pak̚
English Approximation: Pronounced as in the name "Spock" (yes, people, from Star Trek) in Inland Northern American English or the word "spark" as pronounced in British Received Pronunciation, Australian English and New Zealand English, but without the "s" sound.

Meaning: plain, simple; honest, loyal, faithful; a kind of oak

Notes: About 1 in 12 Koreans is named Park, making it the third most common surname in South Korea.

Jung
surname of Yunho

Hangul: 정

Korean Romanization: Jeong

Hanja: 鄭

Chinese Romanization: Zhèng
Japanese Romanization: Jō

Pronunciation:

IPA: tɕʌŋ
English Approximation: Pronounced as in the English word "jump" with a "ng" sound at the end instead of the "mp" sound.

Meaning: solemn, formal, serious

Notes: About 1 in 23 Koreans is named Jung, making it the 5th most common surname in South Korea.

Shim
surname of Changmin

Hangul: 심

Korean Romanization: Sim

Hanja: 沈

Chinese Romanization: Shěn
Japanese Romanization: Chin

Pronunciation:

IPA: ɕim
English Approximation: Pronounced like the English word "sheep," but with an "m" sound at the end instead of the "p" sound.

Meaning: to sink, submerge; sluggish; melancholy, gloomy; hidden

Notes: About 1 in 180 Koreans is named Shim, making it one of the rarer surnames in South Korea.

A GUIDE TO IPA SYMBOLS

What follows are short explanations of the IPA symbols used in this entry. More detailed explanations can be found on Wikipedia, where most of this information comes from, and recordings of the sounds themselves can be heard here.

k: this sound is pronounced as in the English 'k' or 'c', but it is always unaspirated. Because this sound is always aspirated when it comes before a vowel at the beginning of a word in English, English-speakers often have a difficult time pronouncing this sound correctly at the beginning of a Korean word. It is like the 'c' in the English word "scar" or the Spanish word "casa," not the 'c' in the English word "car." For English speakers unsure of their ability to pronounce this sound, 'g' is a safer choice.
n: this sound is pronounced as in English.
m: this sound is pronounced as in English.
p: this sound is pronounced as in the English 'p', but it is always unaspirated. Because 'p' is always aspirated when it comes before a vowel at the beginning of a word in English, English-speakers often have a difficult time pronouncing this sound correctly at the beginning of a Korean word. It is like the 'p' in the English word "span" or the Spanish word "palabra," not the 'p' in the English word "pan." For English speakers unsure of their ability to pronounce this sound, 'b' is a safer choice.
s: this sound is pronounced as in English.
ɕ: this sound is pronounced as in the 'sh' in the English word "she," but palatalized.
ŋ: this sound is pronounced as in the 'ng' in the English word "sing."
tɕ: this sound is pronounced as in the English 'ch', but palatalized and always unaspirated. Because 'ch' is always aspirated when it comes before a vowel at the beginning of a word in English, English-speakers often have a difficult time pronouncing this sound correctly at the beginning of a Korean word. It is like the 'ch' in the English word "bleach" on in the Spanish word "mucho," not the 'ch' in the English word "chain." For English speakers unsure of their ability to pronounce this sound, 'j' is a safer choice.
dʑ: this sound is pronounced as in the 'j' in the English word "jump," but palatalized.
^h: the superscript 'h' indicates that the consonant that precedes it is aspirated. This means that the 'ch' in Yoochun's name will sound like the 'ch' in the English word "chain."
̚: this symbol indicates that the consonant that precedes it is unreleased. To make an unreleased consonant, the mouth is simply closed in the shape of the consonant. For example, the 'c' in the English word "act" is unreleased.
j: this sound is pronounced as in the English 'y'.
a: this sound is pronounced as in the vowel in word "stock" in Inland Northern American English, the word "car" in Australian and New Zealand English, or the word "stack" in Canadian English.
ε: this sound is pronounced as in the vowel in the word "bed" in General American or the word "fat" in New Zealand English.
ʌ: this sound is pronounced as in the vowel in the word "but" in Newfoundland and Philadelphia English. In other dialects, it is somewhere between the vowels in the words "but" and "all."
o: this sound is pronounced as in the vowel in the word "know" in General American or the word "caught" in British Received Pronunciation and Australian and New Zealand English. Make sure that it is a monophthong; that is, that it doesn't slide into the 'w/u' sound at the end.
u: this sound is pronounced as in the vowel in the word "boot" in General American and British Received Pronunciation.
i: this sound is pronounced as in the vowel in the English word "green."

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184 comments

ianinna

June 6 2008, 20:54:16 UTC 3 years ago

I know I failed to comment on your Super Junior name post, but I'd like to thank you for this version, too! I have a thing for knowing name-meanings, and to have that AND pronunciations and trivia is just the coolest. Thank you! :D♥

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