Card Match

• ✓Read every Hangul word aloud the moment you flip it — saying it cements the sound while you scan for its image.
• ✓Build a mental map of the grid: humans remember positions in chunks of three, so think 'top-left row, second card was 김치' rather than tracking individual squares.
• ✓Aim for streaks. Two correct pairs in a row triggers a small combo animation that rewards memory speed, not just luck.

Pairing words with images uses dual-coding theory: the brain stores the same meaning in two formats and can retrieve it through either. This is exactly how mnemonic-based vocabulary learning beats rote drills, and why Card Match users typically retain noticeably more K-Food vocabulary a week later compared to flashcards alone.

1. 1Pick a level — small grid sizes (3x3, 4x4) for beginners, larger grids for vocabulary depth.
2. 2All cards start face down. Tap any card to flip it and reveal a Hangul word or matching K-Food image.
3. 3Find a Hangul-image pair. When two flipped cards match, both stay open and you hear the native pronunciation.
4. 4Mismatched cards flip back down after a brief preview — try to memorize each one's position for later.
5. 5Clear all pairs to finish the round. Fewer flips and faster clear time mean a higher score on the global Leaderboard.

How is Card Match different from Block Builder or Hangul Rain?

Card Match is a calm, time-relaxed memory game — no falling words, no syllable assembly. It trains vocabulary retention through Hangul-image association, complementing the typing/structure focus of the other two games.

There is no countdown timer. How is the score calculated?

Your score combines clear time and flip count. Fewer wrong flips plus faster clear means a higher score. The clock starts on your first card flip, so feel free to study the layout beforehand.

Why pair Hangul with food images?

Dual-coding theory shows that linking written words to vivid images forms two memory traces, making recall easier. K-Food was chosen because the imagery is universally appealing and gives learners cultural context for menus and labels.

Does Card Match work well on a phone?

Yes. Cards are touch-sized for mobile, and grid layouts auto-adjust between portrait and landscape. Native pronunciation plays through your phone speaker — keep volume on for the audio learning bonus.

• Block Builder — once you recognize the words, assemble them jamo by jamo to learn the structure.
• Hangul Rain — type the same vocabulary under gentle time pressure to drill reading reflex.
• Vocabulary Gallery — browse the full K-Food word list with pronunciation outside of game mode.