Korean Numbers // Discover the Two Numbering Systems Used (with Quiz)

An Introduction to Native & Sino-Korean Numbers

Let’s learn the Korean numbers all the way up to 조 (read on to find out just how big that number really is).

If you’re learning another language, numbers are pretty high on the list of important things to know, the same applies for Korean… but there’s a twist.

Learning numbers in Korean might be a bit more tricky than you think.

That’s because there are two different numbering systems in Korean – native Korean and Sino-Korean.

Native Korean numbering originates from Korea, while Sino-Korean numbering derives from China.

Both systems are commonly used, though in different contexts.

For example, when telling the time, the hour is spoken in native Korean, while the minutes are in Sino-Korean! Confusing right?!

It’s a common mistake for language learners to use the wrong numbering system within the wrong context.

So not only do you have to memorise two different systems, which means twice the amount of words to memorise, but you must also learn which system to use for specific situations.

Don’t worry though. Native numbers in Korean only go up to 99 so after that, the numbering system is plain sailing!

We are going to help you nail the numbers with our complete guide to the numbers in Korean.

Counting in Korean | Native Korean Numbers

Counting in Korean | Count Words

Counting in Korean | When to Use Native Numbers

Counting in Korean | Sino-Korean Numbers

Counting in Korean | Big Numbers

Counting in Korean | When to Use Sino-Korean Numbers

BONUS | Quick Quiz

Counting in Korean | FAQ’s

Native Korean Numbers

Let’s start right now with the native numbers in Korean.

We’ll give more explanations below the table.

When necessary, combine these numbers to create specific double-digit figures.

For example, if you want to express the number 25 in Korean, combine the listed words for 20 and 5.

These are 스물 [seumul] and 다섯 [daseot], so 25 would be Play 스물다섯 [seumul daseot].

You’ll notice that native numbers stop after a certain point. That’s because they only go up to 99.

For numbers 100 and above, the Sino-Korean numbering system is used.

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Native Korean Numbers for Count Words

The Korean language has many count words or measure words – specific words that indicate a count or measure of a certain object.

In English, this would be like a “sheet” of paper or a “bar” of soap. However, it should be noted Korean has significantly more count words than English.

There are a handful of native numbers in Korean that must be modified when used with a count word.

They are the following:

For example, let’s say that we want to say one car.

The Korean word for “car” is 차 [cha]. Since we are counting the number of cars, we must use a count word.

The count word for “car” in Korean is 대 [dae].

Since we are using a count word, we must modify the number, so 하나 [hana] is changed to 한 [han].

So when everything is combined, “one car” in Korean is translated as Play 차 한 대 [cha han dae].

In another example, let’s try to say three dogs.

The Korean word for “dog” is 개 [gae]. The relevant count word is 마리 [mari], which is a general counter for animals.

Since a count word is used, we must modify the number – 셋 [set] to 세 [sae].

So when we combine all these words, “three dogs” is translated to Play 개 세 마리 [gae sae mari].

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When to Use Native Numbers

Use the native numbers to count the following:

This doesn’t cover every single situation where you might use these numbers.

This is only meant to cover the basics and should give you a general idea of when to use the native Korean numbering system.

In particular, native numbers in Korean are often used to count physical objects, like houses or vehicles.

The Sino-Korean Numbering System

Here is the 2nd number system used in Korea, the Sino-Korean system.

Remember these come from the Chinese language.

If you have studied Chinese before can you see any similarities with the Chinese numbers?

There are quite a few!

The Sino-Korean numbers from 1-100 are:

Notice any repetition?

Sino-Korean numbers are more cumulative – they tend to build off each other.

For example, the Sino-Korean word for 30 is 삼십 [sam-ship], which is a combination of the words for 3 삼 [sam] and 10 십 [ship].

When necessary, combine these numbers to create specific multi-digit figures.

For example, if you want to express the number 25 in Korean, combine the listed words for 20 and 5.

These are 이십 [i-ship] and 오 [o], so 25 would be Play 이십오 [i-ship o].

Large Sino-Korean Numbers

Let’s go a tad further and teach you the big numbers in Sino-Korean form:

When to Use Sino-Korean Numbers?

Use the Sino-Korean numbers to count the following:

Just like before, this doesn’t cover every single situation where you might count in Korean – this is only meant to give you a general idea.

Sino-Korean numbers are most often used in official contexts, such as counting currency or measuring physical distances.

BONUS | Numbers Quiz

OK, it’s time to put you to the test with a quickfire 20 question quiz.

Let’s see how many numbers in Korean you really remember.

Results are immediately shown on this page and it shouldn’t take more than a few minutes to complete.

Good luck (and don’t forget to share your score in the comments if you are pleased with it)!

Time is Up!

Time's up

If you are wondering about how to count in other languages, here you go:

• Chinese numbers
• Vietnamese numbers
• Japanese numbers
• Russian numbers
• Spanish Numbers

We also mentioned earlier about Korean count words, or measure words. It exists in other languages too:

• Chinese measure words
• Vietnamese measure words

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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