Etymology

The traditional account* states that ㄷ d is derived from ㄴ n by the addition of a stroke (ㄴ而ㄷ […] 其因聲加畫). However, Gari Ledyard proposes instead that ㄷ d is borrowed from Phagspa d, ultimately from Tibetan ད d, and that it is ㄴ n which is derived by the removal of a stroke.

* Hunmin Jeongeum Haerye “Explanations and Examples of the Proper Sounds for the Instruction of the People” (1446), defining and explaining the script now known as 한글 ‎(han-geul, “Great script, Korean script”) in South Korea and 조선글 ‎(joseon-geul, “Korean script”) in North Korea.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /t/, [t], [d], [t̚], [n]]
• Phonetic hangul: ㄷ, ㄴ