The Vowel Environment
A stem-final ㅎ can weaken or disappear before a vowel-initial particle or ending in common standard forms. This includes ㅎ as the final consonant of a stem and ㅎ inside some final clusters. The spelling stays the same while the sound becomes smoother.
Local prediction
See: Read the normal spelling and locate the relevant final ㅎ.
Predict: Check whether the next syllable starts with a vowel.
Listen: Expect a weak or silent ㅎ in a common form.
This is a common pronunciation pattern, not a universal deletion rule.
Verified Spelling and Sound
Read the normal spelling first then compare the common standard sound. The bracketed forms are listening support; do not rewrite the spelling.
Verified spelling and sound
Spelling · Sound · Why
좋아요 · [조아요] · Stem-final ㅎ before 아요 is not heard as a full ㅎ.
놓아요 · [노아요] · Stem-final ㅎ before 아요 is not heard as a full ㅎ.
많아요 · [마나요] · In final ㄶ the ㄴ remains while ㅎ is silent before 아요.
쌓이다 · [싸이다] · Final ㅎ before 이 is not heard as a full ㅎ.
낳은 · [나은] · Final ㅎ before 은 is weak or silent in this common form.
The written forms remain unchanged. Keep the spelling even when the sound is smoother.
Sentences in Context
The same prediction works inside complete sentences. Keep the normal spelling and let the following vowel connect smoothly.
Everyday applications
오늘은 날씨가 좋아요. In 좋아요 the final ㅎ is not heard as a full [ㅎ].
민호는 컵을 식탁에 놓아요. In 놓아요 the final ㅎ is not heard as a full [ㅎ].
이 상자에 장난감이 많아요. In 많아요 the ㄴ remains while ㅎ is silent.
닭이 낳은 달걀이 신선해요. In 낳은 the final ㅎ is weak or silent before 은.
Do not insert a pause just to make the spelling visible.