Beginner • • 12 min read

Korean Numbers: Native vs Sino-Korean System Explained

Master both Korean number systems with clear examples and memory tricks. Learn when to use Native Korean vs Sino-Korean numbers.

The Two Number Systems

Korean uses two number systems:

  1. Native Korean (한국어 수사)
  2. Sino-Korean (한자어 수사)

Think of it like having both “one, two, three” and “first, second, third” in English - each has its specific uses.

Native Korean Numbers (1-10)

NumberKoreanPronunciation
1하나hana
2둘dul
3셋set
4넷net
5다섯daseot
6여섯yeoseot
7일곱ilgop
8여덟yeodeol
9아홉ahop
10열yeol

Sino-Korean Numbers (1-10)

NumberKoreanPronunciation
1일il
2이i
3삼sam
4사sa
5오o
6육yuk
7칠chil
8팔pal
9구gu
10십ship

When to Use Each System

Native Korean Numbers

  • Counting items (up to 99)
  • Ages (informal)
  • Hours of the day
  • Number of people

Example:

사과 두 개
(sagwa du gae)
Two apples

Sino-Korean Numbers

  • Money
  • Phone numbers
  • Dates
  • Minutes
  • Mathematics

Example:

이천 원
(icheon won)
2,000 won

Building Larger Numbers

Native Korean (11-20)

  • 열하나 (yeol-hana) - 11
  • 열둘 (yeol-dul) - 12
  • 열셋 (yeol-set) - 13

Sino-Korean (Larger Numbers)

  • 십 (ship) - 10
  • 백 (baek) - 100
  • 천 (cheon) - 1,000
  • 만 (man) - 10,000

Common Use Cases

Telling Time

3:30 - 세 시 삼십 분
(se si samsip bun)
  • Hours: Native Korean (세 시)
  • Minutes: Sino-Korean (삼십 분)

Money

Always use Sino-Korean for currency

Practice Exercises

  1. Count these items using Native Korean:

    • 사과 (apples): _ 개
    • 사람 (people): _ 명
    • 시간 (hours): _ 시

  2. Read these prices using Sino-Korean:

    • 5,000원
    • 10,000원
    • 100,000원

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  1. Mixing Systems ❌ 이 시 삼십 분 (mixing Sino-Korean 이 for hour) ✅ 두 시 삼십 분 (correct: Native Korean 두 for hour)

  2. Wrong Counter Words ❌ 사과 셋 사과 ✅ 사과 세 개

Quick Tips for Memorization

  1. Native Korean numbers sound longer
  2. Sino-Korean numbers are usually one syllable
  3. Think “Native for counting things I can see”
  4. Think “Sino for abstract numbers (time, money, dates)”

Practice Quiz

1. Which number system would you use for your age?

2. Which system would you use for your phone number?

3. How would you say '2 apples' in Korean?

4. How would you say 1,000 won in Korean?

Remember: Practice both systems regularly, and you’ll naturally start to know which one to use!

Additional Resources