The Basics of Korean Numbers

Learning Korean numbers is an exciting adventure!😊 In Korean, there are two number systems: the native Korean system and the Sino-Korean system. It might sound a bit confusing at first, but once you get the hang of it, it's quite interesting!

Native Korean Numbers

Native Korean numbers are used for counting things, age, and sometimes hours. Here are the numbers from one to ten in native Korean:

• 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 Numbers

Sino-Korean numbers are used for dates, money, addresses, phone numbers, and minutes. They are derived from Chinese and are quite useful. Here are the numbers from one to ten in Sino-Korean:

• 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 Each System

It can be a bit tricky to know when to use each system, but here are some guidelines:

• Counting People: Use native Korean numbers (e.g., 세 명 - three people).
• Counting Objects: Use native Korean numbers (e.g., 다섯 개 - five items).
• Age: Use native Korean numbers for informal settings and Sino-Korean for formal settings (e.g., 스물다섯 살 - 25 years old, 이십오 세 - 25 years old).
• Money: Always use Sino-Korean numbers (e.g., 천 원 - 1000 won).
• Dates and Time: Use Sino-Korean numbers (e.g., 2024년 10월 5일 - October 5, 2024).

Practice Makes Perfect

The best way to get comfortable with Korean numbers is to practice them in daily life. Try counting items around you, telling the time, or even calculating prices in Korean.

Conclusion

Mastering Korean numbers can be a bit challenging at first, but with a little practice, you'll find it quite rewarding. And who knows, you might even start enjoying it!😊 Keep practicing, and soon you'll be a pro at using both native and Sino-Korean numbers. Happy learning!