Korean spelling changes based on a word's position

The Korean language employs a linguistic principle known as the Initial Sound Law, or Dueum Beopchik, which dictates that certain consonants cannot be pronounced or written at the beginning of a word. This rule specifically targets Chinese-derived characters starting with sounds like 'r' or 'n'. When the character for 'category' or 'kind' appears at the start of a noun, the 'r' sound is dropped, transforming the word from 'ryu' into 'yu'.