안녕하세요! Today we’re diving into one of the trickier parts of Korean — the two number systems. Yes, Korean has TWO separate ways to count things. If you’re just starting out, check out our beginner’s guide first!
Why, you ask? Well, I have no idea why. To make learning Korean even harder! Don’t worry, I’ll try to explain as best as I can when to use which ones..
I know, two number systems sounds like a lot. And honestly? It kind of is. But once you understand which one is used for what, it becomes much more manageable — and you’ll start noticing the patterns quickly.
Why Does Korean Have Two Number Systems?
In short: the Sino-Korean system (borrowed from Chinese) is used for things like dates, money, phone numbers, and addresses. The native Korean system is used for counting objects, telling the hour, and expressing age.
For instance, I still remember my initial encounters with Korean numbers – toggling between the two systems felt like a mental gymnastics exercise. But with time, understanding when and how to use each system became second nature, and it will for you too!
Let’s get into it! 화이팅!
Sino-Korean numbers
First up: the Sino-Korean number system. This one was borrowed from Chinese and is probably what you’ll use most when dealing with numbers in everyday life.
Historical Roots
- The Sino-Korean number system originated from Chinese numerals and was integrated into the Korean language through historical contact between Korea and China.
- These numbers have been used in Korea for centuries, reflecting the long-standing influence of Chinese culture and language on the Korean Peninsula.
Integration into Korean Language
- Despite their Chinese origin, Sino-Korean numbers are fully integrated into the Korean language and are used extensively in modern Korean society.
- They coexist with the native Korean number system, each serving specific functions in daily communication.
- Sino-Korean numbers are most commonly used in contexts that require precision and clarity, such as in mathematical operations, monetary transactions, dates, addresses, and phone numbers.
- The system is decimal-based, similar to the system used in English, with base numbers for one through ten, which are then combined to form larger numbers.
Sino Korean Numbers 0 – 10
| 일 | One |
| 이 | Two |
| 삼 | Three |
| 사 | Four |
| 오 | Five |
| 육 or 륙 | Six |
| 칠 | Seven |
| 팔 | Eight |
| 고 | Nine |
| 십 | Ten |
| 백 | Hundred |
| 천 | Thousand |
| 만 | Ten thousand |
Also, please note: Number six can have different spelling. When saying it on it’s own, you say 육 but when saying 오륙 (5 6) it is 륙.
Also, number 4 is considered unlucky in Korea as it has the same sound as Sino Korean word for “death”. In elevators you’d usually have F instead of 4.
Sino Korean Numbers 11 – 10,000
Furthermore, from numbers 11 through to 99 is very easy! Just think of it as a adding up numbers using the numbers 일 through to 십.
For example:
삼 + 십 = 3 + 10 =30
십 + 구 = 10 + 9 = 19
칠 + 십 + 이 = 7 + 10 + 2 =72
팔 + 십 + 삼 = 8 + 10 + 3 = 83
Same with the rest of the numbers
삼백이 = 3 + 100 + 2 = 302
천구백구십사 = 1000 + 9 + 100+ 9 + 10 + 4 = 1994
Sino Korean Numbers 100,000 +
- 100,000: 십만
- 1,000,000: 백만
- 10,000,000: 천만
- 100,000,000: 일억
- 1,000,000,000: 십억
- 1,000,000,000,000: 일조
Additionally, there are two ways to say “zero” in Korean. One is 영 and the other is 공. Similar to English, we often say “oh” or “zero.”
Similarly, in Korean, they use them. Where you might say “oh” in English – like in Korean phone numbers – you would use 공.
But 영 is used when you would need to say “zero,” like in math problems.
Usage in daily life
So where do you use Sino-Korean numbers? Basically, anytime you’re dealing with actual numbers (not counting objects). Here are the main situations:
Dates and Time:
- Calendar Dates: Sino-Korean numbers are used to express years, months, and days. For instance, “2024년 5월 10일” (i-cheon-i-ship-sa-nyeon oh-wol ship-il) means “May 10, 2024.”
- Time: While hours are typically expressed in Native Korean, minutes and seconds are denoted using Sino-Korean numbers, as in “3시 15분” (se-shi ship-oh-bun) for “3:15.”
Money and Financial Transactions:
- Sino-Korean numbers are used in all monetary transactions. Prices in shops, restaurants, and other places are all quoted using this system. For example, “오천 원” (ocheon won) means “5,000 won.”
Addresses and Phone Numbers:
- Addresses in Korea use Sino-Korean numbers to specify building numbers, floors, and apartment numbers. For example, “서울특별시 강남구 테헤란로 123번” (Seoul-teukbyeolsi Gangnam-gu Teheran-ro il-i-sam-beon).
- Phone numbers are also expressed using the Sino-Korean system, such as “010-1234-5678” (공일공-일이삼사-오육칠팔).
Measurements and Quantities:
- Measurements like weight, distance, and volume typically use Sino-Korean numbers. For example, “이킬로그램” (i-killogram) for “2 kilograms” and “삼리터” (sam-liteo) for “3 liters.”
If you’re going to use Korean in real life, you’ll want to get comfortable with Sino-Korean numbers — they come up constantly.
Now let’s look at the native Korean number system!
Native Korean numbers
Native Korean numbers are used for counting objects, telling the hour, and expressing age. They’re deeply rooted in the language and you’ll use them just as often as Sino-Korean numbers.
| 하나 | One |
| 둘 | Two |
| 셋 | Three |
| 넷 | Four |
| 다섯 | Five |
| 여섯 | Six |
| 일곱 | Seven |
| 여덟 | Eight |
| 아홉 | Nine |
| 열 | Ten |
| 스물 | Twenty |
| 서른 | Thirty |
| 마흔 | Forty |
| 쉰 | Fifty |
| 예순 | Sixty |
| 일흔 | Seventy |
| 여든 | Eighty |
| 아흔 | Ninety |
To form numbers, just combine the numbers that end with zero (10,20,30 etc) with the numbers from one to nine.
- 열하나 – Eleven
- 스물셋 – Twenty three
- 서른여섯 – Thirty six
- 마흔여덟 – Fourty eight
- 쉰둘 – Fifty two
- 예순넷 – Sixty four
- 일흔아홉 – Seventy nine
- 여든다섯 – Eighty five
- 아흔일곱 – Ninety seven
Beyond 99
Typically, for numbers beyond 99, the Sino-Korean system is used because the Native system becomes increasingly complex and less practical.
Usage
Here’s where you’ll use native Korean numbers:
Counting Age:
- In Korea, age is typically counted using Native Korean numbers. For example, “저는 스물셋살이에요” (Jeoneun seumulset-salieyo) means “I am twenty-three years old.”
Telling Time (Hours):
- When telling time, hours are expressed using Native Korean numbers, while minutes and seconds are usually in Sino-Korean. For example, “세 시 삼십 분” (se si samship bun) means “3:30.”
Counting Months:
- For counting months, especially in informal contexts or in traditional settings, Native Korean numbers are used. For example, “한 달” (han dal) means “one month”.
Counting Objects and People:
- Native Korean numbers are used with counters when counting objects, animals, or people. For example, “다섯 명” (daseot myeong) means “five people,” and “책 여섯 권” (chaek yeoseot gwon) means “six books.”
Culinary Measurements and Recipes:
- In cooking and traditional recipes, quantities of ingredients are often measured using Native Korean numbers. For instance, “두 컵” (du keop) means “two cups,” and “세 숟가락” (se sutgarak) translates to “three spoons.”
When to use Sino-Korean numbers and when to use Native Korean numbers
Generally, the rule of thumb is Sino-Korean is used for “numbers” and native Korean is used for “counting”.
- For numbers above 100, use Sino-Korean.
- For hour time (“o’clock”), age, and for counting things (2 apples, 15 people), use native Korean.
- For everything else (including minutes, seconds, months, years, phone numbers, money, addresses etc.), use Sino-Korean.
Now, you can use these guidelines to determine which one to use, for example, when talking about a number of a page (“please turn to page 45”), use Sino-Korean, but
Exercise 1
Which Korean number system would you use for the below?
a) Minutes & Seconds
b) Hour time (o’clock)
c) Years
d) Above 100
e) Phone numbers
f) Counting (things)
g) Money
Practice 2
Write down the numbers using the Sino – Korean system.
a) 59
b) 67
c) 5004
d) 10858
e) 32498
Challenge 3
Write down the numbers using the Native Korean system.
a) 47
b) 75
c) 81
d) 32
e) 25
f) 18
Answers 1
a) Minutes & Seconds – Sino Korean
b) Hour time (o’clock) – Native Korean
c) Years – Sino Korean
d) Above 100 – Sino Korean
e) Phone numbers – Sino Korean
f) Counting (things) – Native Korean
g) Money – Sino Korean
Answers 2
a) 59 – 오십구
b) 67 – 육십칠
c) 5004 – 오천사
d) 10858 – 만팔백오십팔
e) 32498 – 삼만이천사백구십팔
Answers 3
a) 47 – 마흔일곱
b) 75 – 일흔다섯
c) 81 – 여든하나
d) 32 – 서룬들
e) 25 – 스물여섯
f) 18 – 열여덟
Conclusion
Overall, we’ve now journeyed through the fascinating landscape of Korean numbers, exploring both the Sino-Korean and Native Korean systems. Understanding these two number systems is more than just a linguistic achievement; it’s a key that unlocks a deeper understanding of Korean culture and daily life. Whether it’s discussing dates, handling money, telling time, counting objects, or celebrating birthdays, these numbers are integral to navigating various aspects of Korean society.
Remember, the key to mastering these systems lies in practice and application. Don’t be daunted by the dual system; instead, embrace it as a unique feature of the Korean language that enriches your learning experience.
Call to Action:
- Practice Daily: Incorporate both number systems into your daily Korean practice. Try labeling items in your home with their Korean number names, or practice by converting numbers you encounter in your daily life into Korean.
- Join Our Community: If you haven’t already, join our community of Korean language learners. Subscribe to our blog, follow us on social media, and engage with fellow learners. Share your experiences, challenges, and triumphs in learning Korean numbers.
- Leave a comment: Participate in our online discussions.
Indeed, learning a new language opens up a window to understanding a new culture, and the Korean number systems are a perfect example of this. Keep practicing, stay curious, and enjoy the journey of learning Korean. Numbers are also essential for telling the time in Korean — check that out next! 감사합니다 (Gamsahamnida) for joining us on this educational adventure, and we look forward to seeing your progress in mastering Korean numbers and more!
Quick Reference: Sino-Korean vs Native Korean Numbers
Still unsure which system to reach for? Here’s the cheat sheet — print it, screenshot it, or stick it on your wall.
| Situation | Number system | Quick example |
|---|---|---|
Frequently Asked Questions About Korean Numbers
Why does Korea have two number systems at all?
The short answer is history. Sino-Korean numbers came from Chinese and were used in formal, written, and administrative contexts for centuries. Native Korean numbers are the original indigenous counting system used in everyday spoken Korean. Over time, the two systems became established for different domains — and today both are fully embedded in modern Korean. It can feel confusing at first, but Korean learners often find that once they understand which context each system belongs to, it becomes more intuitive.
Is the Korean age system still used?
South Korea officially moved to the international (Western) age system in June 2023, ending the long-standing tradition of the Korean age system where everyone was considered one year old at birth and gained a year on New Year’s Day rather than their birthday. In practice, older generations and some traditional contexts still use the old system, but official documents, hospitals, and formal settings now use international age. This also means the age-related number question is somewhat simpler for learners today.
How do I say large numbers in Korean?
Korean groups numbers in units of 10,000 (만/萬) rather than 1,000 as in English. This is one of the trickier adjustments for English speakers. One million in Korean is 백만 (100 × 10,000), not a standalone unit. Once you’ve internalised the 만 grouping system, large numbers click into place. Practice by reading Korean prices — since everyday items cost thousands of won, you get plenty of natural repetition very quickly.
Do I need to learn both systems before visiting Korea?
For a short visit, the most useful thing is understanding Sino-Korean numbers for prices, dates, and phone numbers — since those will come up constantly. Native Korean numbers are essential for telling the time (hours) and counting things with counters, which also comes up in daily life. Even learning just 1–10 in both systems before you travel makes a significant difference. Our exercises above are a great starting point.
Numbers are one of those grammar areas that feel daunting at first but become second nature with regular exposure. Keep practising with real Korean content — menus, signs, and K-dramas are full of numbers in natural context. For more Korean grammar foundations, check out our guide to Korean topic marking particles 은/는 and our complete Hangul guide. 숫자 파이팅! 🔢