Before Hangeul was invented, people used Chinese characters to transcribe the Korean language. This method of linguistics is known as “borrowed notation.” Initially, Chinese characters were only used to transcribe Korean proper nouns such as the names of people and places. Over time, however, through the development of writing systems such as idu, hyangchal, gugyeol, and others the whole sentences of Korean were written with Chinese characters.

▲ Transcribing proper nouns

▲ Idu

▲ Hyangchal

▲ Gugyeol