Korean numbers can be confusing for beginners because the language uses two completely different number systems: Native Korean and Sino-Korean. 😵 But don’t worry—once you understand when and how each system is used, it becomes much easier to master. This guide is designed to simplify the difference and show you how to use both number sets with confidence.
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You’ll learn what each system is, where they come from, and most importantly—when to use them. We’ll break it down step by step and include helpful tables so you can visualize the patterns clearly. Whether you’re learning for fun, travel, or fluency, this guide is your perfect starting point. 🚀
🧩 1. Why Korean Has Two Number Systems
One of the unique aspects of Korean is that it has two sets of numbers: Native Korean and Sino-Korean. This dual system exists due to Korea's historical ties with China and its own cultural developments over time. Native Korean numbers originated within Korea, while Sino-Korean numbers are based on Chinese characters and were imported centuries ago. 📚
Both systems are used today, but for different purposes. Native Korean numbers are typically used for counting small numbers, age (in casual speech), and things like hours and people. Sino-Korean numbers, on the other hand, are used in phone numbers, dates, money, minutes, and higher quantities.
Understanding which system to use in which context is key to sounding natural when speaking Korean. If you mix them up, native speakers will still understand you—but it will sound a bit off. Mastering this aspect of Korean makes your speech clearer and more culturally accurate. ✅
📊 Overview: Native vs. Sino-Korean
| Number System | Origin | Common Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Native Korean | Korean origin | Age, hours, counting people/things (1–99) |
| Sino-Korean | Chinese origin | Money, dates, phone numbers, minutes, math |
🌿 2. Native Korean Numbers (Pure Korean)
Native Korean numbers are used for counting physical things, age in informal settings, hours (on the clock), and other quantities up to 99. After 99, Native Korean numbers are no longer used—they switch to Sino-Korean from that point forward. 🧮
They are a bit irregular, especially after 5. For example, “1” is 하나, “2” is 둘, “3” is 셋, but when you use these numbers before a counter, their form often changes. “하나” becomes “한,” “둘” becomes “두,” and so on. These changes are very common in everyday conversation.
Also, Native Korean numbers are never used for counting currency, dates, addresses, or phone numbers. Those always use Sino-Korean instead. Understanding the difference in usage is just as important as memorizing the number words themselves. 🚫💰📅
To master these numbers, practice using them with common counters like 명 (people), 시 (hour), and 개 (things). It's also helpful to say them out loud often since their pronunciation rhythm is different from English counting. 🗣️
📊 Native Korean Numbers 1–10
| Number | Korean (Full) | Shortened Before Counters |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 하나 | 한 |
| 2 | 둘 | 두 |
| 3 | 셋 | 세 |
| 4 | 넷 | 네 |
| 5 | 다섯 | 다섯 |
| 6 | 여섯 | 여섯 |
| 7 | 일곱 | 일곱 |
| 8 | 여덟 | 여덟 |
| 9 | 아홉 | 아홉 |
| 10 | 열 | 열 |
Example usage: “두 명” = two people, “세 시” = 3 o’clock, “한 개” = one item. You’ll see these short forms all the time, so practicing both the full and shortened versions will make your Korean much smoother and more natural. 💬
🔢 3. Sino-Korean Numbers (Based on Chinese)
Sino-Korean numbers are derived from Chinese characters and are used for a wide range of things—especially numbers over 100. They're essential for reading dates, doing math, saying phone numbers, telling minutes, measuring money, and even room or floor numbers in buildings. 🏢💰📞
Unlike Native Korean numbers, Sino-Korean numbers are much more regular and easy to expand past 10, 100, 1,000 and beyond. Once you learn 1 through 10, you can build all larger numbers by combining them, similar to how numbers are structured in English. 🧱
For example, 11 is 십일 (10 + 1), 25 is 이십오 (2×10 + 5), 100 is 백, and 1,000 is 천. This logical system makes Sino-Korean numbers very useful and efficient in daily life, especially in business and education settings. 📈📆
Sino-Korean is also the system used in telling minutes (ex: 10분 = 10 minutes), phone numbers (ex: 010-1234-5678), prices (ex: 만 원 = 10,000 won), and birthdays (ex: 1990년 5월 3일). Memorizing these numbers can feel intimidating at first, but they quickly become second nature with practice. 🔁
📊 Sino-Korean Numbers 1–10
| Number | Sino-Korean | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 일 | One |
| 2 | 이 | Two |
| 3 | 삼 | Three |
| 4 | 사 | Four |
| 5 | 오 | Five |
| 6 | 육 | Six |
| 7 | 칠 | Seven |
| 8 | 팔 | Eight |
| 9 | 구 | Nine |
| 10 | 십 | Ten |
These numbers form the base of all larger numbers. For example, 100 is 백, 1,000 is 천, 10,000 is 만, and so on. By understanding just these base numbers, you unlock the ability to count as high as you want. Pretty efficient, right? 😎
📌 4. When to Use Each Number System
One of the biggest questions Korean learners ask is: “When do I use Native Korean numbers, and when do I use Sino-Korean?” The answer depends entirely on the situation. Different topics call for different number systems, and using the wrong one can make you sound less fluent—even if the meaning is still clear. 🎯
As a general rule: if you're counting things, people, or hours, go with Native Korean. But if you're dealing with money, dates, phone numbers, or minutes, use Sino-Korean. For example, saying your age to friends might use Native Korean, but on official documents, it would use Sino-Korean. 🧍♀️🗓️
A big tip: **Mixing both systems in one phrase is a common mistake**. For instance, “두 시 십 분” (2:10) is correct—Native for hours, Sino for minutes. But saying “열 시 열” (10 o’clock 10) is wrong. Knowing these rules will help you speak more naturally and avoid confusion. 🛑
Here’s a simple comparison table to help you decide which system to use in everyday situations. Bookmark this or memorize it—it will help a lot in real conversations and exams!
📊 Usage Comparison Table
| Use Case | Number System | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Counting objects | Native | 세 개 (three things) |
| Counting people | Native | 두 명 (two people) |
| Age (informal) | Native | 스물한 살 (21 years old) |
| Age (formal/documents) | Sino | 이십일 세 (21 years old) |
| Time – Hours | Native | 여덟 시 (8 o’clock) |
| Time – Minutes | Sino | 삼십오 분 (35 minutes) |
| Money | Sino | 오천 원 (5,000 won) |
| Phone numbers | Sino | 공일공-사삼이-일이일이 |
Getting these usage rules right will really level up your Korean. You’ll notice that Koreans switch between systems automatically, and you will too with enough exposure and practice. The more examples you see and repeat, the more natural it becomes! 💬
⚠️ 5. Common Mistakes Beginners Make with Korean Numbers
Learning two number systems at once can feel overwhelming, so it’s totally normal to make mistakes in the beginning. But knowing the most common errors can help you avoid them early and save yourself from confusion or embarrassment. Let’s go over the top beginner pitfalls! 🔍
One major mistake is **mixing number systems in a single phrase**. For example, saying “두 십오 분” (using Native for hour and Sino for the minute incorrectly) instead of the correct “두 시 십오 분” (2:15) can sound awkward. Always match the correct number system to the correct context.
Another common error is **using the full Native form before a counter**, like saying “하나 명” instead of the correct shortened version “한 명.” Numbers like 하나, 둘, 셋, 넷 change before counters to 한, 두, 세, 네. Forgetting this makes your Korean sound unnatural, even if it’s understandable. 😬
Many learners also try to **apply English number logic** to Korean. For instance, directly translating “twenty-one years old” to “이십일 살” might sound technically right, but in informal Korean, it should be “스물한 살.” Context matters a lot, especially in spoken Korean!
📊 Common Mistakes and Fixes
| Mistake | Why It’s Wrong | Correct Form |
|---|---|---|
| 두 십오 분 | Mixing Native and Sino | 두 시 십오 분 |
| 하나 명 | Didn’t shorten Native number | 한 명 |
| 이십일 살 | Used Sino in informal context | 스물한 살 |
| 열하나 시 | Used full form of Native number | 열한 시 |
Mistakes like these are easy to fix with a bit of repetition. Practice saying full phrases aloud—like times, ages, or prices—and pay attention to how native speakers say them in K-dramas or YouTube clips. Real exposure will train your ear and muscle memory much faster than flashcards alone. 🎧📺
🔗 6. Number Classifier Pairs to Remember
In Korean, you almost never use numbers alone—you pair them with **counters**, also called **classifiers**. These are special nouns that describe the type of thing being counted. For example, in English we say “three sheets of paper,” and “sheets” would be the classifier. Korean works the same way, but it’s used with almost every number. 📦📚👤
Counters follow the number and must match the object being counted. Different objects use different classifiers: 개 for items, 명 for people, 마리 for animals, 권 for books, 대 for machines, and so on. Using the correct counter makes your Korean sound accurate and polite. 🗣️
Another important point: most counters are paired with **Native Korean numbers**, but some like 시간 (hours) and 분 (minutes) require a mix—hours with Native, minutes with Sino. Learning these combinations is key to understanding time, age, and quantities fluently.
Let’s look at some of the most common number + classifier combos. These show up constantly in daily conversations, shopping, scheduling, and even ordering food. 🍱🛒
📊 Common Number + Counter Combinations
| Number (Type) | Counter | Meaning | Example Phrase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Native (하나 → 한) | 개 | Item, thing | 한 개 (one thing) |
| Native (둘 → 두) | 명 | Person | 두 명 (two people) |
| Native (세) | 마리 | Animal | 세 마리 (three dogs) |
| Native (네) | 권 | Book | 네 권 (four books) |
| Native (다섯) | 대 | Machine, car | 다섯 대 (five cars) |
| Native + Sino | 시 / 분 | Time (hour/minute) | 여섯 시 십오 분 (6:15) |
| Sino (일, 이...) | 원 | Money (won) | 천 원 (1,000 won) |
The more you use these combinations in daily phrases, the easier they become to remember. Try practicing with real-life examples: “한 명 있어요” (there’s one person), “세 마리 샀어요” (I bought three animals), “오천 원 주세요” (please give me 5,000 won). With time, these patterns will become automatic! 🧠✨
❓ 7. FAQ – Korean Numbers Explained Simply
Q1. Do I have to memorize two number systems to speak Korean?
A1. Yes, both Native and Sino-Korean numbers are used regularly. But you don’t need to memorize them all at once—start with 1–10 in both systems and practice with real-life examples.
Q2. Which number system should I use for telling time?
A2. Use Native Korean for the hour and Sino-Korean for the minutes. For example, “두 시 십오 분” means 2:15. Mixing them correctly is key. ⏰
Q3. Is it wrong to mix up the two number systems?
A3. It’s a very common mistake, and native speakers will usually understand you. But using the wrong system can sound unnatural or even confusing, especially in formal situations.
Q4. Why do Native numbers change before counters?
A4. It’s just a natural part of Korean grammar. Numbers like 하나, 둘, 셋, 넷 become 한, 두, 세, 네 before counters for smoother pronunciation and flow.
Q5. What counters should I learn first?
A5. Start with 개 (things), 명 (people), 시/분 (time), 마리 (animals), and 원 (money). These are the most common in everyday conversations. 🛒
Q6. How do I say my age in Korean?
A6. Informally, use Native Korean + 살 (e.g., 스물한 살). Formally or on documents, use Sino-Korean + 세 (e.g., 이십일 세). 🎂
Q7. Are Sino-Korean numbers used in math and counting large numbers?
A7. Absolutely. Math, money, phone numbers, and anything over 99 all use Sino-Korean numbers. They’re more logical and easy to expand. ➕➖
Q8. What’s the best way to practice Korean numbers?
A8. Use them in real-life examples: tell time, say your age, count your groceries, or repeat prices out loud. Watching Korean media also helps reinforce usage naturally! 🎬
Disclaimer: This guide is for educational purposes and targets beginner Korean learners. Number usage may vary in dialects and specific contexts. Always double-check with native speakers or official learning resources for accuracy.
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