Korean has two different number systems: Native Korean numbers and Sino-Korean numbers. Understanding when to use each system is essential for proper Korean.
Two Number Systems
Native Korean Numbers (순우리말 숫자)
하나, 둘, 셋, 넷, 다섯...
Origins: Pure Korean words Range: 1-99 (rarely used above 99) Used for:
- Age (years old)
- Hours (time)
- Counting objects with counters
- Native Korean counters
Sino-Korean Numbers (한자어 숫자)
일, 이, 삼, 사, 오...
Origins: From Chinese characters Range: All numbers (1 to infinity) Used for:
- Minutes and seconds
- Money
- Phone numbers
- Addresses
- Dates (months, days)
- Mathematical calculations
- Floor numbers
Quick Comparison
Native Korean: 1-10
| Number | Korean | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Sino-Korean: 1-10
| Number | Korean | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
When to Use Native Korean Numbers
1. Age (Years Old)
With 살 counter:
- 스무 살 (20 years old)
- 서른 살 (30 years old)
- 마흔 살 (40 years old)
Note: Only for age in years
2. Hours (Time)
When telling time:
- 한 시 (1 o'clock)
- 두 시 (2 o'clock)
- 세 시 (3 o'clock)
3. With Native Korean Counters
Common counters:
- 개 (general items): 하나, 둘, 셋...
- 명 (people): 한 명, 두 명, 세 명...
- 마리 (animals): 한 마리, 두 마리...
- 병 (bottles): 한 병, 두 병...
4. Counting Actions
Number of times:
- 한 번 (once)
- 두 번 (twice)
- 세 번 (three times)
When to Use Sino-Korean Numbers
1. Minutes and Seconds
In time expressions:
- 10분 (10 minutes)
- 30초 (30 seconds)
- 5시 15분 (5:15)
2. Money
Currency amounts:
- 천 원 (1,000 won)
- 만 원 (10,000 won)
- 오백 원 (500 won)
3. Dates
Months and days:
- 1월 (January - il-wol)
- 15일 (15th day - sib-o-il)
- 2024년 (year 2024)
4. Phone Numbers
All digits:
- 010-1234-5678 (공일공-일이삼사-오육칠팔)
5. Addresses
Building and floor numbers:
- 3층 (3rd floor - sam-cheung)
- 101호 (room 101)
6. Mathematical Numbers
Calculations and quantities:
- 100 (백 - baek)
- 1,000 (천 - cheon)
- 10,000 (만 - man)
Mixed Usage: Telling Time
Hours + Minutes
Hours use Native, Minutes use Sino-Korean:
- 두 시 삼십 분 (2:30)
- 다섯 시 십오 분 (5:15)
- 열한 시 사십오 분 (11:45)
Why?: Historical convention in Korean
Number Modifications with Counters
Native Numbers Change Before Counters
Original vs. Before Counter:
- 하나 → 한 (개, 명, 마리...)
- 둘 → 두 (개, 명, 마리...)
- 셋 → 세 (개, 명, 마리...)
- 넷 → 네 (개, 명, 마리...)
- 스물 → 스무 (살, 개...)
Examples:
- 하나 → 한 개 (one item)
- 둘 → 두 명 (two people)
- 스물 → 스무 살 (20 years old)
Sino-Korean Numbers Don't Change
Stay the same:
- 일 개월 (one month)
- 이 층 (2nd floor)
- 삼 천 원 (3,000 won)
Common Patterns
Native Korean Pattern (1-99)
Structure: Tens + Ones
- 열 (10) + 하나 (1) = 열하나 (11)
- 스물 (20) + 셋 (3) = 스물셋 (23)
- 서른 (30) + 다섯 (5) = 서른다섯 (35)
Sino-Korean Pattern (All numbers)
Structure: Multiplicative system
- 십 (10) + 일 (1) = 십일 (11)
- 이십 (20) + 삼 (3) = 이십삼 (23)
- 백 (100) + 오십 (50) = 백오십 (150)
Quick Decision Guide
Use Native Korean For:
✅ Age (살) ✅ Hours in time ✅ Counting with native counters (개, 명, 마리, 병...) ✅ Number of times (번)
Use Sino-Korean For:
✅ Minutes/seconds ✅ Money (원) ✅ Dates (월, 일, 년) ✅ Phone numbers ✅ Addresses/floors (층, 호) ✅ Large numbers (100+) ✅ Mathematical contexts
Common Mistakes
❌ Incorrect: 일 살 (1 year old)
Wrong number system for age
✅ Correct: 한 살 (1 year old)
Use native Korean for age
❌ Incorrect: 하나 시 오 분
Wrong system for minutes
✅ Correct: 한 시 오 분 (1:05)
Native for hours, Sino-Korean for minutes
❌ Incorrect: 하나 원
Wrong system for money
✅ Correct: 일 원 (1 won)
Use Sino-Korean for money
Practice Examples
Mixed Context Sentences
Age and money:
- 스무 살이고 천 원이 있어요 (I'm 20 years old and have 1,000 won)
- Native (age) + Sino-Korean (money)
Time and date:
- 3월 15일 두 시 삼십 분 (March 15th, 2:30)
- Sino-Korean (date) + Native (hour) + Sino-Korean (minute)
People and money:
- 세 명이 만 원씩 냈어요 (Three people paid 10,000 won each)
- Native (people) + Sino-Korean (money)
Summary Table
| Context | System | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Age | Native | 스무 살 (20 years old) |
| Hours | Native | 두 시 (2 o'clock) |
| Minutes | Sino | 십오 분 (15 minutes) |
| Money | Sino | 천 원 (1,000 won) |
| Dates | Sino | 삼월 십오일 (March 15) |
| Phone | Sino | 공일공 (010) |
| Counters (native) | Native | 세 개 (3 items) |
| Counters (sino) | Sino | 삼 개월 (3 months) |
Key Takeaways
- ✅ Two systems: Native Korean (1-99) and Sino-Korean (all numbers)
- ✅ Native for: Age, hours, native counters
- ✅ Sino-Korean for: Minutes, money, dates, math
- ✅ Numbers change: Native numbers modify before counters
- ✅ Time mixing: Hours (native) + minutes (sino-korean)
- ✅ Practice both: You need both systems for daily Korean
Understanding when to use each number system is crucial for natural Korean. While it may seem confusing at first, with practice, the patterns become intuitive. Remember: when in doubt, native Korean for counting objects and age, Sino-Korean for everything else!