Learning Korean numbers can be more complex than in other languages because there are two counting systems. To count correctly, you need to learn both methods as their usage is quite specific. Otherwise, you may sound awkward.
Nevertheless, once you understand the system, mastering Korean numbers shouldn’t be too challenging.
Table of Contents
- Two Counting Systems in Korean Numbers
- Native Korean Numbers
- Sino-Korean (Hanja) Numbers
- How to Count Numbers Bigger than 100
Two Counting Systems in Korean Numbers
Counting in Korean involves understanding two main sets of numbers: native Korean numbers and hanja (Sino-Korean) numbers.
Korean native numbers, also known as pure Korean numbers, are uniquely Korean. On the other hand, Sino-Korean refers to hanja (Chinese characters) in Korean. They have their roots in the Chinese characters.
Each set has its specific uses and contexts, ranging from counting objects and age to telling time and expressing dates. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore both sets of numbers, their pronunciation, and usage. And later we’ll learn how they’re combined to form larger numbers as well.
Native Korean Numbers
Counting from 1 to 99 in native Korean numbers is simple once you understand the basic structure. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
1. Counting 1 to 9 in Native Korean Numbers
- 하나 /ha-na/ (하나를 보면 열을 안다. When you see one part of something or someone, you can assume ten.)
- 둘 /dul/ (둘만의 비밀. A secret between only two of us.)
- 셋 /set/ (셋째딸. The third daughter)
- 넷 /net/ (우리 넷만 갔습니다. Just four of us went there.)
- 다섯 /da-seot/ (다섯 손가락. Five fingers)
- 여섯 /yeo-seot/ (여섯 마리의 강아지. six puppies)
- 일곱 /il-gop/ (일곱권의 책. seven books)
- 여덟 /yeo-deol/ (여덟 시간. eight hours)
- 아홉 /a-hop/ (아홉 켤레의 신발. Nine pairs of shoes)
2. Tens (10, 20, 30, 40, etc.)
For tens, there are specific words:
- 10: 열 /yeol/
- 20: 스물 /seu-mul/
- 30: 서른 /seo-reun/
- 40: 마흔 /ma-heun/
- 50: 쉰 /swin/
- 60: 예순 /ye-sun/
- 70: 일흔 /il-heun/
- 80: 여든 /yeo-deun/
- 90: 아흔 /a-heun/
3. Understand the Pattern After 10
First, let’s learn the pattern for numbers from 11 to 19. Simply combine 열 (10) with the native Korean numbers 1 to 9:
- 11: 열하나 /yeol-ha-na/
- 12: 열둘 /yeol-dul/
- 13: 열셋 /yeol-set/
- 14: 열넷 /yeol-net/
- 15: 열다섯 /yeol-da-seot/
- 16: 열여섯 /yeol-yeo-seot/
- 17: 열일곱 /yeol-il-gop/
- 18: 열여덟 /yeol-yeo-deol/
- 19: 열아홉 /yeol-a-hop/
4. Combine Tens and Units (21 to 99)
This pattern continues for higher numbers:
- twenty: 스물 /seu-mul/
- twenty one: 스물하나 /seu-mul-ha-na/
- thirty: 서른 /seo-reun/
- thirty two: 서른둘 /seo-reun-dul/
- forty: 마흔 /ma-heun/
- forty three: 마흔셋 /ma-heun-set/
- fifty: 쉰 /shwin/
- fifty four: 쉰넷 /shwin-net/
- sixty: 예순 /ye-sun/
- sixty five: 예순다섯 /ye-sun-da-seot/
- seventy: 일흔 /il-heun/
- seventy six: 일흔여섯 /il-heun-yeo-seot/
- eighty: 여든 /yeo-deun/
- eighty seven: 여든일곱 /yeo-deun-il-gop/
- ninety: 아흔 /a-heun/
- ninety eight: 아흔여덟 /a-heun-yeo-deol/
Learn Native Korean Numbers with Sound
Sino-Korean (Hanja) Numbers
Sino-Korean numbers are derived from Chinese characters and are often used for counting money, expressing dates, and more.
Counting 1 to 10 in Sino-Korean Numbers
- one: 일 /il/ (일년, 삼백육십오일. One year, three hundred sixty five days.)
- two: 이 /i/ (이학년. The second grade)
- three: 삼 /sam/ (삼총사. The three musketeers)
- four: 사 /sa/ (사형제. Four brothers)
- five: 오 /o/ (오층. The fifth floor)
- six: 육 /yuk/ (육학년. The sixth grade)
- seven: 칠 /chil/ (칠월 사일. July fourth)
- eight: 팔 /pal/ (팔개월. Eight months)
- nine: 구 /gu/ (학생이 그 문제를 구분만에 풀었다. The student solved the problem only in nine minutes.)
- ten: 십 /sip/ (십년지기 A friend for ten years)
Larger Numbers
Similar to native Korean numbers, to form numbers above ten, you simply combine the Sino-Korean numbers with the word for “ten,” which is “십 (sip).” For example:
- eleven: 십일 /sip-il/
- twelve: 십이 /sip-i/
- thirteen: 십삼 /sip-sam/
- fourteen: 십사 /sip-sa/
- fifteen: 십오 /sip-o/
- sixteen: 십육 /sip-yuk/
- seventeen: 십칠 /sip-chil/
- eighteen: 십팔 /sip-pal/
- nineteen: 십구 /sip-gu/
This pattern continues for higher numbers:
- twenty: 이십 /i-sip/
- twenty one: 이십일 /i-sip-il/
- thirty: 삼십 /sam-sip/
- thirty two: 삼십이 /sam-sip-i/
- forty: 사십 /sa-sip/
- forty three: 사십삼 /sa-sip-sam/
- fifty: 오십 /o-sip/
- fifty four: 오십사 /o-sip-sa/
- sixty: 육십 /yuk-sip/
- sixty five: 육십오 /yuk-sip-o/
- seventy: 칠십 /chil-sip/
- seventy six: 칠십육 /chil-sip-yuk/
- eighty: 팔십 /pal-sip/
- eighty seven: 팔십칠 /pal-sip-chil/
- ninety: 구십 /gu-sip/
- ninety eight: 구십팔 /gu-sip-pal/
How to Count Numbers Bigger than 100
To form larger numbers, you combine the place value (e.g., hundred, thousand, ten thousand) with the appropriate number.
- hundred: 백 /baek/
- thousand: 천 /cheon/
- ten thousand: 만 /man/
For instance:
- two hundred: 이백 /i-baek/
- three thousand: 삼천 /sam-cheon/
- fifty thousand: 오만 /o-man/
Mastering Korean numbers is essential for basic communication and everyday tasks. By understanding both native Korean and Sino-Korean numbers, you can count objects, express quantities, tell time, and much more. Practice regularly, and you’ll soon become proficient in counting in Korean.
Korean Expressions That Koreans Actually Use
Some Korean expressions have other connotations rather than their literal meaning. Learn Korean expressions that Koreans use in real life.
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