Korean numbers and counting practice

Korean has two sets of numbers. Sino-Korean numbers (일, 이, 삼 ...) are used for minutes, money, dates, phone numbers and floor numbers. Native Korean numbers (하나, 둘, 셋 ...) are used for counting things and people, and for the hour when you tell the time. The counter word after the number usually tells you which set to use. This lesson covers both sets, the six counters 개, 명, 시, 분, 원 and 번, and gives you practice to check yourself.

Sino-Korean numbers

Bigger numbers are built like a small calculation:

Two points to remember:

• In everyday speech, 100, 1,000 and 10,000 are 백, 천 and 만, not 일백, 일천 or 일만.
• Korean groups large numbers in units of 만 (10,000). So 50,000 is 오만 (5 × 10,000), not "fifty thousand".

In phone numbers, 0 is usually read as 공 (gong). For example, 010 is read 공일공.

Native Korean numbers

Native numbers go up to 99, but beginners mostly need 1 to 20. Before a counter, 하나, 둘, 셋, 넷 and 스물 change to their short forms: 한 개, 두 명, 세 시, 네 번, 스무 개.

Which number set goes with which counter

The counter 번 has two meanings. With native numbers, it counts how many times: 한 번 (once), 세 번 (three times). With Sino-Korean numbers, it gives a number in a list, such as a question, a bus or a seat: 3번 문제 (question number 3), 7번 버스 (bus number 7).

On real notices and signs, you usually see digits instead of Korean words: 3개, 2명, 3시 30분, 5,000원. When you write the numbers in Korean words, leave a space before the counter: 세 개, 삼십 분.

You will use 개 a lot with tools and equipment, as in our lesson on Korean vocabulary for tools and equipment.

Telling the time: 시 and 분

The hour uses native numbers, but the minutes use Sino-Korean numbers.

Put 오전 (a.m.) or 오후 (p.m.) before the time: 오후 여섯 시 (6 p.m.).

Common mistakes:

• 삼 시 is wrong for 3 o'clock. Say 세 시.
• For 3 minutes, say 삼 분. 세 분 means something different: "three people", said politely. (분 is also a polite counter for people.)

Money: 원

가: 이거 얼마예요? (How much is this?) 나: 만 이천 원이에요. (It is 12,000 won.)

Counting times: 번

가: 몇 번 연습했어요? (How many times did you practise?) 나: 세 번 연습했어요. (I practised three times.)

You may also hear 한 번 더 들어 보세요 (Try listening one more time).

Listening tips for numbers

• Some numbers sound alike: 일 and 이, 삼 and 사, 세 and 네. Listen carefully to the first sound.
• Listen for the counter. If you hear 시, the number before it is native (세 시). If you hear 분 or 원, it is Sino-Korean (삼십 분, 오천 원).
• Write digits while you listen. Writing "3:30" is faster than writing Korean words.
• Watch for sound changes. For example, 십육 (16) is pronounced [심뉵], simnyuk.

For more listening practice with times and prices, see listening for numbers and time.

Practice

Read these aloud

1. 상자 다섯 개 (five boxes)
2. 직원 열두 명 (twelve workers)
3. 오후 두 시 사십 분 (2:40 p.m.)
4. 칠천 원 (7,000 won)
5. 세 번 (three times)

Write these in Korean words

1. 8 people
2. 11 o'clock
3. 45 minutes
4. 15,000 won
5. twice
6. question number 4

Answers: 1. 여덟 명, 2. 열한 시, 3. 사십오 분, 4. 만 오천 원, 5. 두 번, 6. 사 번 (written 4번).

Next step

Check your counting with the EPS vocabulary practice set. Then use numbers in short questions with everyday action verbs used in short questions. All our word lessons are on the vocabulary topic page.