You asked, so we provided—easy-to-follow instructions on how to set up your electronic devices to write in Korean! We’ll also give you a few excellent tips on how to use this keyboard, as well as some online and app alternatives if you prefer not to set up a Korean keyboard.
Table of Contents- Why it’s Important to Learn to Type in Korean
- Setting up Your Computer and Mobile Devices for Korean
- How to Activate an Onscreen Keyboard on Your Computer
- How to Change the Language Settings to Korean on Your Computer
- Activating the Korean Keyboard on Your Mobile Phone and Tablet
- Korean Keyboard Typing Tips
- How to Practice Typing Korean
1. Why it’s Important to Learn to Type in Korean
Learning a new language is made so much easier when you’re able to read and write/type it. This way, you will:
- Get the most out of any dictionary and Korean language apps on your devices
- Expand your ability to find Korean websites and use the various search engines
- Be able to communicate much better online with your Korean teachers and friends, and look super cool in the process!
2. Setting up Your Computer and Mobile Devices for Korean
It takes only a few steps to set up any of your devices to read and type in Korean. It’s super-easy on your mobile phone and tablet, and a simple process on your computer.
On your computer, you’ll first activate the onscreen keyboard to work with. You’ll only be using your mouse or touchpad/pointer for this keyboard. Then, you’ll need to change the language setting to Korean, so all text will appear in Korean. You could also opt to use online keyboards instead. Read on for the links!
On your mobile devices, it’s even easier—you only have to change the keyboard. We also provide a few alternatives in the form of online keyboards and downloadable apps.
3. How to Activate an Onscreen Keyboard on Your Computer
1- Mac
1. Go to System Preferences > Keyboard.
2. Check the option “Show Keyboard & Character Viewers in Menu Bar.”
3. You’ll see a new icon on the right side of the main bar; click on it and select “Show Keyboard Viewer.”
2- Windows
1. Go to Start > Settings > Easy Access > Keyboard.
2. Turn on the option for “Onscreen Keyboard.”
3- Online Keyboards
If you don’t want to activate your computer’s onscreen keyboard, you also have the option to use online keyboards. Here are some good options:
4- Add-ons of Extensions for Browsers
Instead of an online keyboard, you could also choose to download a Google extension to your browser for a language input tool. The Google Input Tools extension allows users to use input tools in Chrome web pages, for example.
4. How to Change the Language Settings to Korean on Your Computer
Now that you’re all set to work with an onscreen keyboard on your computer, it’s time to download the Korean language pack for your operating system of choice:
- Windows 8 (and higher)
- Windows 7
- Mac (OS X and higher)
1- Windows 8 (and higher)
1. Go to Settings > Change PC Settings > Time & Language > Region & Language.
2. Click on “Add a Language” and select “Korean.” This will add it to your list of languages. It will appear as 한국어 with the note “language pack available.”
3. Click on “한국어” > “Options” > “Download.” It’ll take a few minutes to download and install the language pack.
4. As a keyboard layout, you’ll only need the one marked as “Korean- 한국어.” You can ignore other keyboard layouts.
2- Windows 7
1. Go to Start > Control Panel > Clock, Language, and Region.
2. On the “Region and Language” option, click on “Change Keyboards or Other Input Methods.”
3. On the “Keyboards and Languages” tab, click on “Change Keyboards” > “Add” > “Korean.”
4. Expand the option of “Korean” and then expand the option “Keyboard.” Select the keyboard layout marked as “Korean.” You can ignore other keyboard layouts. Click “OK” and then “Apply.”
3- Mac (OS X and higher)
If you can’t see the language listed, please make sure to select the right option from System Preferences > Language and Region
1. From the Apple Menu (top left corner of the screen) go to System Preferences > Keyboard.
2. Click the Input Sources tab and a list of available keyboards and input methods will appear.
3. Click on the plus button, select “2-Set Korean,” and add the “2-Set Korean” keyboard.
5. Activating the Korean Keyboard on Your Mobile Phone and Tablet
Texting and searching in Korean will greatly help you master the language! Adding a Korean keyboard on your mobile phone and/or tablet is super-easy.
You could also opt to download an app instead of adding a keyboard. Read on for our suggestions.
Below are the instructions for both iOS and Android mobile phones and tablets.
1- iOS
1. Go to Settings > General > Keyboard.
2. Tap “Keyboards” and then “Add New Keyboard.”
3. Select “2-Set Korean” from the list.
4. When typing, you can switch between languages by tapping and holding on the icon to reveal the keyboard language menu.
2- Android
1. Go to Settings > General Management > Language and Input > On-screen Keyboard (or “Virtual Keyboard” on some devices) > Samsung Keyboard.
2. Tap “Language and Types” or “ + Select Input Languages” depending on the device and then “MANAGE INPUT LANGUAGES” if available.
3. Select “한국어” from the list.
4. When typing, you can switch between languages by swiping the space bar.
3- Applications for Mobile Phones
If you don’t want to add a keyboard on your mobile phone or tablet, these are a few good apps to consider:
6. Korean Keyboard Typing Tips
Typing in Korean can be very challenging at first! Therefore, we added here a few useful tips to make it easier to use your Korean keyboard.
1- Computer
On Windows 8 Keyboard
- Keep in mind that you’ll find vowels on the right of your keyboard, and consonants will be on the left side. To create double consonants, press the Shift key while typing the single consonant. (Example, if you would like ot type ㅆ, press ㅅ+Shift).
- This will cause “ENG” to be changed to ‘한’ (or ‘KOR”), and another icon (marked “A”) will appear simultaneously to the left of the language sign.
- When you want to type Korean, hit the ALT key on the right side of your keyboard. (There are two ALT keys on the keyboard, however, only the right one works for this purpose.)
- Hitting the ALT key will make the status icon change to a Korean character ‘가’ (ga). Once this happens, you’ll be able to start typing in Korean. To toggle between Korean and English, simply hit the Right ALT key at any time.
- Vowels are on the right side of the keyboard, and consonants on the left. To create double consonants, press the Shift key while typing the single consonant. (Example, if you would like ot type ㅆ, press ㅅ+Shift).
On IOS Keyboard
- On your Mac, click on the flag image at the top right of your screen, and choose 한 (2-Set Korean). In the 2-Set Korean Keyboard, keep in mind that you’ll find vowels on the right of your keyboard, and consonants will be on the left side. This is its default setting for macOS Hangul.
- To create double consonants, press the Shift key while typing the single consonant. (Example, if you would like to type ㅆ, press “Shift” + “ㅅ.”
2- Mobile Phones
- Open any app that allows typing. A few good options are Messages, Google Widget, or Chrome.
- Tap the typing area. This opens the keyboard.
- For IOS, tap and hold the Globe key. It’s located at the left of the spacebar. The “Keyboard Settings” option and a list of keyboards will appear. Select the “Korean” keyboard. This will change the keyboard from its default language setting to Korean. Note that this menu can be used to toggle between various language keyboards you may have installed.
- For Android, tap the Keyboard Settings icon near the bottom of the keyboard. If you don’t see the gear, you may have to long-press a different key to make it appear. Tap “Add Keyboard” and choose “Korean” from the list. Select your desired layout.
Afterward, tap the typing area and hold the Globe key. It’s in the bottom row of keys. A list of installed keyboards will appear. Tap “Korean.” The keyboard is now switched to Korean.
7. How to Practice Typing Korean
As you probably know by now, learning Korean is all about practice, practice, and more practice! Strengthen your Korean typing skills by writing comments on any of our lesson pages, and our teacher will answer. If you’re a KoreanClass101 Premium PLUS member, you can directly text our teacher via the My Teacher app—use your Korean keyboard to do this!
