Learning 2 Types of Korean Numbers and The Differences of The Usages

Annyeonghaseyo, chingudeul! This Learn Korean Section will provide you the differences between 2 types of Korean numbers. Korean numbers consist of 2 systems which are Sino-Korean and Native Korean system. Each system has the difference functions. Native Korean system is only counted from 1 to 99 while we use Sino-Korean system starting from 100. Sino-Korean system derives from Chinese number system. We know that Chinese culture has much influenced Korean culture including the alphabet letters and numbers system. Here we will breakdown 2 numbers systems and the differences between them.

1. Native Korean Numbers List

Native Korean system is counted from:
하나 (hana) 1
둘 (dul) 2
셋 (set) 3
넷 (net) 4
다섯 (daseot) 5
여섯 (yeoseot) 6
일곱 (ilgob) 7
여덟 (yeodeol) 8
아홉 (ahob) 9
열 (yeol) 10
스물 (seumul) 20
스물하나 (seumul-hana) 21
스물둘 (seumul-dul) 22
….
서른 (seoreun) 30
마흔 (maheun) 40
쉰 (swin) 50
예순 (yesun) 60
일흔 (ireun) 70
여든 (yeodeun) 80
아흔 (aheun) 90
Remember that Native Korean system set is only up to 99. We use Sino-Korean system starting from 100.

2. Sino-Korean Numbers List

Sino-Korean system set covers more numbers than Native Korean one. However, it’s not that complicated and relatively easier to remember. Look the following list:
일 (il) 1
이 (i) 2
삼 (sam) 3
사 (sa) 4
오 (o) 5
육 (yuk) 6
칠 (chil) 7
팔 (phal) 8
구 (gu) 9
십 (sib) 10
십일 (sibil) 11
….
이십 (isib) 20
이십일 (isib-il) 21
….
삼십 (samsib) 30
사십 (sasib) 40
오십 (osib) 50
….
백 (baek) 100
천 (cheon) 1000
만 (man) 10.000
십만 (simman) 100.000
백만 (baengman) 1.000.000
천만 (cheonman) 10.000.000
억 (eok) 100.000.000
Etc.

3. Native Korean System to Determine Quantity

Native Korean Numbers can be used to determine the quantity of particular objects and also the number of people, animals, or plants. Let’s see the examples in sentences below:

어머니는 당근 세 개 삽니다 어머니는 당근 세 개 삽니다 (Eomeoninen danggeun se gae samnida) -> Mother buys 3 carrots
저는 고양이 아홉 마리 있습니다 (Jeoneun goyangi ahop mari isseumnida) -> I have 9 cats
몇 명 있습니까? 두 명 있습니다 (Myeot myeong isseumnikka? Du myeong iseeumnida) -> How many persons are there? There are 2 persons.

Note: there is an exception for particular numbers which are 1,2,3,4, and 20. Those have a little change or shortened in writing and pronouncing followed by numbers or partitives. Example: 하나 -> 한 , 둘 -> 두 , 셋 -> 세 , 스물 -> 스무.

4. Native Korean System for Counting Age

We use Native Korean numbers to express someone’s age. As explained in point 3 above, an exception for number 1,2,3,4, and 20 is still applicable. Those numbers are changed or shortened before adjectives or verbs. Please find in the sentences below:

저는 스물여덟 살입니다 (Jeoneun semul-yeodeol sarimnida) -> I am 28 years old.
그녀는 스물한 살입니다 (Keunyeonen seumul-han sarimnida) -> She is 21 years old.

5. Sino-Korean System to Determine Time

Sino-Korean numbers system is commonly used to count the large amount or uncountable things such as dates, months, years, and time. However, there is an exceptional rule in expressing time since we combine both Native Korean and Sino-Korean systems. We use Native Korean system to determine hours while Sino-Korean is used to determine minutes and seconds. Let’s check the example in the sentences below:

아버지 언제 갑니까? 11월 24일에 갑니다 (Abeohi eonje kamnikka? Sibil-wol isibsa-ire kamnida) -> When does father go? Father goes in November 24.
10:45:8 -> 열 시 사십오 분 팔 초 (yeol si sasib-o bun phal cho). Don’t forget to add the adverbs like 시 (si) for hours, 분 (bun) for minutes, and 초 (cho) for seconds.

6. Sino-Korean Numbers for Phone Number

We use Sino-Korean numbers to read the phone number by mentioning the number one by one. However, it applies an exception in mentioning number 0. Number 0 has two meanings in Korean, 영 (yeong) and 공 (kong). We use영 (yeong) to mention the common numbers while we use 공 (kong) to mention 0 in phone number. Let’s find it in an example below:
0821-3547-9623 -> 공팔이일-삼오사칠-고육이삼 (kong-pal-i-il-sam-o-sa-chil-go-yuk-i-sam).