4. Korean Numbers Explained for Beginners 숫자

 

Korean Numbers Explained for Beginners

Korean has two number systems: Sino-Korean (한자어 숫자) and Native Korean (고유어 숫자). Each system is used in different situations, so it's important to learn both.

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1. Sino-Korean Numbers (한자어 숫자)

Sino-Korean numbers come from Chinese characters and are commonly used for:

• Large numbers: Over 100
• Prices: When stating monetary value
• Dates: Year, month, day
• Phone numbers: When reciting digits
• Counting: In some specific situations

🔢 Sino-Korean Numbers (0–10,000)

Number Korean Pronunciation

0	영 / 공	yeong / gong
1	일	il
2	이	i
3	삼	sam
4	사	sa
5	오	o
6	육	yuk
7	칠	chil
8	팔	pal
9	구	gu
10	십	sip
100	백	baek
1,000	천	cheon
10,000	만	man

👉 Larger numbers follow a pattern:

• 11 = 십일 (sip-il)
• 25 = 이십오 (i-sip-o)
• 1000 = 천 (cheon)
• 2500 = 이천오백 (i-cheon-o-baek)

🛒 Price Example (가격 예시)

💰 ₩12,500 → 만이천오백 원 (man-i-cheon-o-baek won)
💰 ₩99,900 → 구만구천구백 원 (gu-man-gu-cheon-gu-baek won)

📞 Phone Number Example (전화번호 예시)

☎ 010-2345-6789 → 공일공-이삼사오-육칠팔구 (gong-il-gong i-sam-sa-o yuk-chil-pal-gu)

📌 Tip: "0" can be 영 (yeong) or 공 (gong). For phone numbers, "공" is more common.

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2. Native Korean Numbers (고유어 숫자)

Native Korean numbers are used for:

• Counting objects: Up to 99
• Age: When talking about someone's age
• Time: Hours in a day

 

🔢 Native Korean Numbers (1–20)

Number Korean Pronunciation

1	하나	hana
2	둘	dul
3	셋	set
4	넷	net
5	다섯	daseot
6	여섯	yeoseot
7	일곱	ilgop
8	여덟	yeodeol
9	아홉	ahop
10	열	yeol
11	열하나	yeol-hana
12	열둘	yeol-dul
20	스물	seumul

👉 For numbers 1–4 and 20, the form changes when used with counters:

• 하나 → 한 (han)
• 둘 → 두 (du)
• 셋 → 세 (se)
• 넷 → 네 (ne)
• 스물 → 스무 (seumu)

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📏 Counting with Unit Counters (단위 명사)

In Korean, you must use counters (단위 명사) when counting objects, people, or animals.

Category Counter Example

People	명 / 분 (formal)	세 명 (3 people)
Animals	마리	네 마리 (4 animals)
Books	권	두 권 (2 books)
Bottles	병	한 병 (1 bottle)
Cups	잔	다섯 잔 (5 cups)
Objects	개	여섯 개 (6 items)
Hours	시간	한 시간 (1 hour)
Age	살	스무 살 (20 years old)

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⏰ Time Example (시간 예시)

🕒 3:30 PM → 세 시 삼십 분 (se si samsip bun)

📌 Tip: Hours use Native Korean, but minutes use Sino-Korean!

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🎂 Age Example (나이 예시)

👶 I am 25 years old. → 스물다섯 살이에요. (seumul-daseot sal-ieyo.)

📌 Tip: In formal situations, you can use 세 (歲, Sino-Korean) instead of 살.
Ex) 25세 입니다. (i-sip-o se-imnida.)

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🎯 Summary: When to Use Each System?

Situation Number System Example

Money	Sino-Korean	₩10,000 → 만 원
Phone Numbers	Sino-Korean	010-1234-5678 → 공일공-일이삼사-오육칠팔
Time (Hours)	Native Korean	3 o’clock → 세 시
Time (Minutes)	Sino-Korean	30 minutes → 삼십 분
Age	Native Korean	20 years old → 스무 살
Counting Objects	Native Korean + Counter	5 apples → 사과 다섯 개

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Tips for Learners

• Practice regularly: Repetition is key to memorizing numbers.
• Use real-life examples: Try counting objects around you or reading prices in Korean.
• Listen to native speakers: Pay attention to how they pronounce the numbers.
• Don't be afraid to make mistakes: It's a natural part of the learning process.

Understanding Korean numbers is a fundamental step in your language journey. With consistent effort and practice, you'll master them in no time!

 

📝 Quick Practice (Try It Yourself!)

1️⃣ How do you say ₩45,600 in Korean?
2️⃣ How do you say "I have 2 dogs" in Korean?
3️⃣ How do you say 7:45 AM in Korean?

Comment below with your answers! 🎉😊