Lesson 3 · Beginner

Korean Numbers: Two Counting Systems

숫자

Korean has two sets of numbers: Sino-Korean numbers, which come from Chinese, and native Korean numbers. It sounds confusing, but each system has clear jobs. Learn both here and you will be able to pay, give your phone number and say your age.

Key phrases

  • 일, 이, 삼, 사, 오

    il, i, sam, sa, o

    1, 2, 3, 4, 5 (Sino-Korean)

  • 육, 칠, 팔, 구, 십

    yuk, chil, pal, gu, sip

    6, 7, 8, 9, 10 (Sino-Korean)

  • 백, 천, 만

    baek, cheon, man

    100, 1,000, 10,000

  • 하나, 둘, 셋, 넷, 다섯

    hana, dul, set, net, daseot

    1–5 (native Korean)

  • 여섯, 일곱, 여덟, 아홉, 열

    yeoseot, ilgop, yeodeol, ahop, yeol

    6–10 (native Korean)

  • 전화번호가 뭐예요?

    jeonhwabeonhoga mwoyeyo?

    What's your phone number?

  • 사과 두 개 주세요

    sagwa du gae juseyo

    Two apples, please

  • 만 원이에요

    man wonieyo

    It's 10,000 won

  • 스무 살이에요

    seumu sarieyo

    I'm 20 years old

  • 몇 개요?

    myeot gaeyo?

    How many?

Dialogue

A

이 사과 얼마예요?

i sagwa eolmayeyo?

How much are these apples?

B

한 개에 천 원이에요.

han gaee cheon wonieyo.

It's 1,000 won each.

A

그럼 다섯 개 주세요.

geureom daseot gae juseyo.

Then five, please.

B

네, 오천 원입니다.

ne, ocheon wonimnida.

Okay, that's 5,000 won.

A

여기 있어요.

yeogi isseoyo.

Here you are.

B

감사합니다!

gamsahamnida!

Thank you!

Quick quiz

Choose the correct meaning.

Practice these with flashcards