There are 2 ways of counting numbers in Korean. We have the
Sino-Korean counting system, then the
Native Korean counting system. These two have different uses.
The Native Korean numbers are used for counting from 1-99. While the Sino-Korean counting which was based on Chinese numbers are used for dates, phone numbers, and numbers above 100.
In this article, you'll be able to learn the numbers, their counting units, and how to use them.
Let's begin with the Native Korean counting system.
By memorizing the numbers above, you'll be able to form numbers from 1 to 99. Very easy, right?
Let me show you an example.
To get the number 23, you will need to put together 스물 (20) and 셋 (3). Therefore, 23 is 스물 셋 in Korean.
More examples:
18 = 열 (10) and 여덟 (8)
= 열여덟 (yeol yeodeol)
59 = 쉰 (50) + 아홉 (9)
= 쉰 아홉 (shin ahop)
94 = 아흔 (90) + 넷 (4)
= 아흔 넷 (aheun net)
It's actually so simple as long as you know all the numbers listed above.
Now, counting in Korean is pretty much the same as counting in English. We use specific counting units or counter nouns to a certain type of item. Like in English, pairs, sheets, packs, etc.
When counting using Native Korean numbers, take note that the last letter of the syllable of the following numbers are omitted when added to a counting unit.
1, 2, 3, 4 and 20.
1 하나 becomes 한
2 둘 becomes 두
3 셋 becomes 세
4 넷 becomes 네
20 스물 becomes 스무
Native Korean Counting Units
~ 개 used for objects in general
* If you don't know which counting unit to use, use this.
사과 다섯 개 5 apples
연필 세 개 3 pencils
~ 마리 for counting animals
곰 네 마리 4 bears
물고기 열 마리 10 fishes
* also used often to order things like chicken
양념 치킨 한 마리 주세요. (One seasoned chicken, please.)
~ 병 bottles
소주 다섯 병 5 bottles of soju
콜라 한 병 a bottle of cola
맥주 두 병 2 bottles of beer
~ 켤레 pairs (of shoes and socks)
양말 네 컬레 4 pair of socks
운동화 한 켤레 a pair of running shoes
~ 조각 slices/pieces
* used with pizza, cake, or bread
빵 두 조각 2 slices of bread
~ 대 machines/vehicles
냉장고 한 대 one fridge
자전거 네 대 4 bicycles
~ 그릇 bowls
비빔밥 두 그릇 2 bowls of bibimbap
라면 한 그릇 a bowl of ramen
** use 공기 when referring to rice. 공기 can only be used for rice.
~ 장 thin sheets/flat objects
우표 두 장 2 stamps
종이 네 장 4 sheets of paper
~ 상자 or 박스 for boxes
오렌지 한 상자 a box of orange
~ 시간 hours (duration)
세 시간 3 hours
열두 시간 12 hours
~ 시 o'clock
열한시 11 o'clock (written as 11시)
여덟시 8 o'clock (8시)
~ 잔 for glasses or cups
커피 두 잔 two cups of coffee
소주 한 잔 a glass of soju
~ 살 years of age
일흔 살 70 years old
스무 살 20 years old
~ 명 people/person (same as 사람)
학생 다섯명 5 students
한 명 one person
~ 사람 people/person
*literally means person and unlike 명, this can be used alone
example: 저도 한국 사람이에요. I am also a Korean person.
~ 권 for books
영어 책 세권 an English book
소설책 두 권 2 novels
~ 분 people (honorific form)
* when referring to people using this counter noun, always use Native Korean numbers. This would have a different meaning once a Sino-Korean number is used.
example at a restaurant:
waiter to a customer, 몇 분이세요? (How many are you?)
You can use this when you're talking about people who are of higher rank or older than you.
선생님 세 분 3 teachers
할머니 여섯 분 6 grandmothers
~ 송이 bunch of fruits
바나나 한 송이 a cluster of bananas
포도 두 송이 a bunch of grapes
~ 번 number of times
한번 one time
두번 two times
* be careful in using 번 since this counting unit is also used in the Sino-Korean counting system but with a different meaning.
There! That ends our Native Korean system counting lesson. I've prepared a chart for reference.
In the next article, as a continuation of this topic, we'll be talking about the Sino-Korean counting system.
Stay tuned! 'Til next time!
