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Korean Number Systems

Quick Reference

Two Number Systems in Korean:

System Range Common Uses
Native Korean (고유어) 1-99 Age, hours, counting items with native counters
Sino-Korean (한자어) 1-∞ Money, minutes, dates, phone numbers, addresses

Understanding the Two Systems

Korean uses two distinct number systems that originated from different sources:

Native Korean Numbers (고유어 수)

These are the original Korean numbers, used since ancient times. They only go up to 99 and are used for:

  • Counting with native counters: 개 (things), 명 (people), 마리 (animals), 살 (age)
  • Hours when telling time
  • Counting without specific counters (일반적으로 셀 때)

Pattern: 하나, 둘, 셋... (standalone) but often shortened when used with counters: 한, 두, 세...

Sino-Korean Numbers (한자어 수)

Borrowed from Chinese characters, these numbers can express any amount and are used for:

  • Money (원, 달러)
  • Minutes and seconds when telling time
  • Dates: months (월), days (일), years (년)
  • Phone numbers, addresses, room numbers
  • Counting with Sino-Korean counters: 분 (minutes), 번 (number/times), 층 (floors)

Pattern: 일, 이, 삼, 사... Can combine to form large numbers like 삼천오백만 (35 million)

When to Use Which System

Native Korean Numbers

하나 (1), 둘 (2), 셋 (3)

✓ Use with: - 개 (things): 사과 두 개 (two apples) - 명/분 (people): 학생 세 명 (three students) - 마리 (animals): 고양이 한 마리 (one cat) - 살 (age): 스물다섯 살 (25 years old) - 시 (hours): 다섯 시 (5 o'clock)

Sino-Korean Numbers

일 (1), 이 (2), 삼 (3)

✓ Use with: - 원 (won): 천 원 (1,000 won) - 분 (minutes): 십 분 (10 minutes) - 월 (months): 삼월 (March) - 일 (days): 십오일 (15th) - 번 (number): 일번 (number 1) - 층 (floors): 삼층 (3rd floor)

Mixed Usage in Real Life

Many everyday expressions require both systems together:

Time

  • 두 시 삼십 분 (2:30) - Native + Sino-Korean
  • 열한 시 오 분 (11:05) - Native + Sino-Korean

Age

  • 스물다섯 살 (25 years old) - Native Korean only
  • 이십오 세 (25 years old - formal) - Sino-Korean only

Dates

  • 이천이십오년 삼월 십오일 (March 15, 2025) - All Sino-Korean
  • BUT: Days of the week use unique names (not numbers)

Number System Selection Chart

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ What are you expressing?                                 │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Money, prices                    → Sino-Korean          │
│ Phone numbers                    → Sino-Korean          │
│ Minutes/seconds                  → Sino-Korean          │
│ Calendar dates (년/월/일)        → Sino-Korean          │
│ Building floors                  → Sino-Korean          │
│ Bus/room numbers                 → Sino-Korean          │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Hours (time)                     → Native Korean        │
│ Age with 살                      → Native Korean        │
│ Counting things (with 개)        → Native Korean        │
│ Counting people (with 명)        → Native Korean        │
│ Counting animals (with 마리)     → Native Korean        │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Learning Strategy

  1. Native Korean 1-10 - Master these first
  2. Sino-Korean 1-10 - Learn the parallel system
  3. Common Counters - Practice both systems with real usage
  4. Dates and Time - Apply mixed systems in context
  5. Large Numbers - Build confidence with bigger amounts

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Wrong: 일 시 (using Sino-Korean for hours) ✓ Right: 한 시 (use Native Korean for hours)

❌ Wrong: 하나 월 (using Native Korean for months) ✓ Right: 일월 (use Sino-Korean for months)

❌ Wrong: 사과 일 개 (mixing systems incorrectly) ✓ Right: 사과 한 개 (Native Korean + counter)

❌ Wrong: 이십 살 (using Sino-Korean with 살) ✓ Right: 스무 살 (Native Korean with 살)

Practice

Read each situation and identify which number system(s) to use:

  1. You need to tell someone your phone number (010-1234-5678)
  2. You're saying your age: "I'm 23 years old" (using 살)
  3. You're ordering three coffees
  4. You're telling someone to meet you at 7:30
  5. You're saying the date: January 1st, 2025
  6. You're counting money: 50,000 won
  7. You're saying which floor you live on: 12th floor
  8. You're counting how many people are in your family: 4 people
  9. You're saying how many minutes until the bus arrives: 15 minutes
  10. You're telling someone you have two cats
Show Answers 1. **Sino-Korean** - Phone numbers always use Sino-Korean: 공일공의 일이삼사의 오육칠팔 2. **Native Korean** - Age with 살 uses Native Korean: 스물세 살 3. **Native Korean** - Counting items with 잔 (cups) uses Native Korean: 커피 세 잔 4. **Both systems** - Hours use Native Korean, minutes use Sino-Korean: 일곱 시 삼십 분 5. **Sino-Korean** - All date components use Sino-Korean: 이천이십오년 일월 일일 6. **Sino-Korean** - Money always uses Sino-Korean: 오만 원 7. **Sino-Korean** - Floor numbers use Sino-Korean: 십이층 8. **Native Korean** - Counting people with 명 uses Native Korean: 네 명 9. **Sino-Korean** - Minutes use Sino-Korean: 십오 분 10. **Native Korean** - Counting animals with 마리 uses Native Korean: 고양이 두 마리

Next Steps

  • Native Korean Numbers - Learn 하나, 둘, 셋 and their modified forms
  • Sino-Korean Numbers - Master 일, 이, 삼 and large number formation
  • Counters - Practice pairing numbers with the right counters
  • Dates - Apply Sino-Korean numbers to calendar dates
  • Time - Combine both systems for telling time