Korean Numbers Guide: Essential Vocabulary for Learners
Learning Korean words for numbers is essential for everyday communication. Unlike many languages, Korean uses two distinct number systems: native Korean numbers and Sino-Korean numbers (derived from Chinese). This guide will help you learn Korean numbers effectively with vocabulary, phrases, and practical examples.
Essential Numbers Vocabulary
Korean vocabulary numbers are divided into two systems. Native Korean numbers are used for counting objects, telling age, and hours. Sino-Korean numbers are used for dates, money, minutes, phone numbers, and addresses.
Native Korean Numbers (하나, 둘, 셋...)
| Word | Pronunciation | English | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 하나 | hana | one | 사과 하나 주세요. (Give me one apple.) |
| 둘 | dul | two | 친구 둘이 왔어요. (Two friends came.) |
| 셋 | set | three | 책 셋을 샀어요. (I bought three books.) |
| 넷 | net | four | 의자가 넷 있어요. (There are four chairs.) |
| 다섯 | daseot | five | 손가락이 다섯 개예요. (There are five fingers.) |
| 여섯 | yeoseot | six | 여섯 시에 만나요. (Let's meet at six o'clock.) |
| 일곱 | ilgop | seven | 일곱 명이 왔어요. (Seven people came.) |
| 여덟 | yeodeol | eight | 여덟 살이에요. (I'm eight years old.) |
| 아홉 | ahop | nine | 아홉 번 시도했어요. (I tried nine times.) |
| 열 | yeol | ten | 열 개 주세요. (Give me ten, please.) |
Sino-Korean Numbers (일, 이, 삼...)
| Word | Pronunciation | English | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 일 | il | one | 일월은 추워요. (January is cold.) |
| 이 | i | two | 이천 원이에요. (It's 2,000 won.) |
| 삼 | sam | three | 삼층에 살아요. (I live on the third floor.) |
| 사 | sa | four | 사월에 벚꽃이 펴요. (Cherry blossoms bloom in April.) |
| 오 | o | five | 오분 후에 출발해요. (We leave in five minutes.) |
| 육 | yuk | six | 육월에 결혼해요. (I'm getting married in June.) |
| 칠 | chil | seven | 칠십 퍼센트 할인이에요. (It's 70% off.) |
| 팔 | pal | eight | 팔월은 더워요. (August is hot.) |
| 구 | gu | nine | 구백 원이에요. (It's 900 won.) |
| 십 | sip | ten | 십분만 기다려 주세요. (Please wait just ten minutes.) |
Larger Numbers
| Word | Pronunciation | English | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 백 | baek | hundred | 백 원짜리 동전이에요. (It's a 100 won coin.) |
| 천 | cheon | thousand | 오천 원이에요. (It's 5,000 won.) |
| 만 | man | ten thousand | 만 원 지폐 있어요? (Do you have a 10,000 won bill?) |
| 영/공 | yeong/gong | zero | 공일공에 전화하세요. (Call 010.) |
Common Phrases
When you learn Korean numbers, knowing common phrases helps you use them naturally in conversation.
- 몇 개요? (myeot gaeyo?) - How many? (for objects)
- 몇 살이에요? (myeot sarieyo?) - How old are you?
- 몇 시예요? (myeot siyeyo?) - What time is it?
- 얼마예요? (eolmayeyo?) - How much is it?
- 전화번호가 뭐예요? (jeonhwabeonhoga mwoyeyo?) - What's your phone number?
- ~개 주세요 (~gae juseyo) - Please give me ~ (counter for objects)
- ~명이에요 (~myeongieyo) - There are ~ people
- 첫 번째 (cheot beonjjae) - first
- 두 번째 (du beonjjae) - second
- 세 번째 (se beonjjae) - third
Usage Notes
Understanding when to use each number system is crucial when studying Korean words for numbers.
When to Use Native Korean Numbers
- Counting objects with counters: 사과 세 개 (three apples), 책 두 권 (two books)
- Telling age: 스물다섯 살 (25 years old) - Note: 하나→한, 둘→두, 셋→세, 넷→네 before counters
- Hours: 세 시 (3 o'clock)
- Counting people: 다섯 명 (five people)
When to Use Sino-Korean Numbers
- Dates: 오월 십오일 (May 15th)
- Money: 삼만 원 (30,000 won)
- Minutes and seconds: 삼십 분 (30 minutes)
- Phone numbers: 공일공-일이삼사-오육칠팔 (010-1234-5678)
- Floors and addresses: 삼층 (3rd floor)
- Months: 구월 (September)
Modified Forms
Native Korean numbers 1-4 and 20 change form when used with counters:
- 하나 → 한 (한 개, 한 명)
- 둘 → 두 (두 개, 두 명)
- 셋 → 세 (세 개, 세 명)
- 넷 → 네 (네 개, 네 명)
- 스물 → 스무 (스무 살 - 20 years old)
Practice Sentences
Use these example sentences to practice Korean vocabulary numbers in context:
| Korean | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| 커피 두 잔 주세요. | keopi du jan juseyo. | Please give me two cups of coffee. |
| 저는 스물여덟 살이에요. | jeoneun seumulyeodeol sarieyo. | I am 28 years old. |
| 지금 세 시 사십오 분이에요. | jigeum se si sasibo bunieyo. | It's 3:45 now. |
| 이 가방은 오만 원이에요. | i gabangeun oman wonieyo. | This bag is 50,000 won. |
| 우리 가족은 네 명이에요. | uri gajogeun ne myeongieyo. | My family has four people. |
| 생일이 칠월 이십삼 일이에요. | saengiri chirwol isipsam irieyo. | My birthday is July 23rd. |
| 십 분 후에 도착해요. | sip bun hue dochakaeyo. | I'll arrive in 10 minutes. |
| 일주일에 세 번 운동해요. | iljuire se beon undonghaeyo. | I exercise three times a week. |
| 첫 번째 문제가 제일 어려워요. | cheot beonjjae munjega jeil eoryeowoyo. | The first problem is the hardest. |
| 삼층에서 내리세요. | samcheungeseo naeriseyo. | Please get off at the third floor. |
Mastering both number systems is a fundamental step when you learn Korean numbers. Practice using native Korean numbers for counting and ages, and Sino-Korean numbers for dates, money, and phone numbers. With consistent practice, choosing the right system will become natural!