🔢 Count Korean the Right Way — Master Counters (개·명/분·마리·권…)
🔢 Count Korean the Right Way — Master Counters (개·명/분·마리·권…)
Freeze at 두 명 vs 두 사람? This guide makes Korean counters click—what to use for people, animals, drinks, books, machines—and how numbers 1–4 change in front of counters.
You’ll get a clean tables-first overview, sample lines you can copy, and common pitfalls to avoid. If unsure, remember: 개 works for “things,” but not for people/animals/books.
핵심은 상황별 올바른 단위명사와 1–4 단축형(한·두·세·네)입니다. 발화 시에는 “명/분/마리/권/잔/병/대”를 우선 떠올리세요.
📑 Table of Contents (open/close)
🎯 Learning Goals
- Pick the right counter for people, animals, items, drinks, bottles, and machines.
- Apply the 1–4 changes before counters: 하나→한, 둘→두, 셋→세, 넷→네 (and 스물→스무).
- Know when to use native vs Sino-Korean numbers.
🧾 Common Korean Counters
| Counter | Use For | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 개 (gae) | Things, items | 사과 한 개 (1 apple) |
| 명 (myeong) | People (neutral) | 학생 두 명 (2 students) |
| 사람 (saram) | People (casual) | 친구 세 사람 (3 friends) |
| 분 (bun) | People (honorific) | 손님 한 분 (1 guest) |
| 마리 (mari) | Animals | 고양이 네 마리 (4 cats) |
| 권 (gwon) | Books, magazines | 책 다섯 권 (5 books) |
| 잔 (jan) | Cups, glasses | 커피 두 잔 (2 cups of coffee) |
| 병 (byeong) | Bottles | 물 세 병 (3 bottles of water) |
| 대 (dae) | Cars, machines | 차 한 대 (1 car) |
| 송이 (song-i) | Flowers/bunches | 꽃 세 송이 (3 flowers) |
🔤 Number + Counter Structure
Pattern: [Native Korean number] + [Counter]
- 하나 → 한
- 둘 → 두
- 셋 → 세
- 넷 → 네
- 스물 → 스무 (before counters)
Most natural in speech: noun + number + counter (e.g., 사과 한 개).
💬 Sample Sentences
| Korean | RR | English |
|---|---|---|
| 사과 한 개 주세요. | sagwa han gae juseyo | Please give me one apple. |
| 친구가 두 명 있어요. | chingu-ga du myeong isseoyo | I have two friends. |
| 고양이를 네 마리 키워요. | goyang-i-reul ne mari kiwoyo | I raise four cats. |
| 책을 세 권 읽었어요. | chaeg-eul se gwon ilgeosseoyo | I read three books. |
| 커피 한 잔 마시고 싶어요. | keopi han jan masigo sipeoyo | I want a cup of coffee. |
| 손님이 한 분 기다리세요. | sonnim-i han bun gidariseyo | One guest is waiting. |
🎓 When to Use Native vs Sino-Korean Numbers?
| Number Type | Used With | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Native Korean | Counters for people/things/animals; hours; age (살) | 한 명, 두 개, 세 마리, 세 시 (3 o’clock), 스무 살 (20 y/o) |
| Sino-Korean | Dates, minutes/seconds, months(월), floors(층), money, phone #, bus lines | 이십일 (21), 삼십 분 (30 min), 오천 원 (₩5000), 3층 |
Tip: Up to ~99 with counters, learners commonly use native. For larger/formal contexts, Sino appears more often.
⚠️ Pitfalls & Notes
- 명 vs 사람 vs 분: 명 is neutral, 사람 casual, 분 honorific. Elders/clients → 분.
- Spacing: keep a space: 두 개, 세 권 (not 두개/세권).
- Age: native with 살 (스무 살). Sino with 세 is formal (이십 세), less common in speech.
- General counter: if unsure, 개 for “things,” but never for people/animals/books.
🧪 Quick Quiz (Reveal)
Make “4 cats.”
Make “3 books.”
Honorific: “1 guest.”
Time mix: “3:30.”
Mini task: Comment 3 lines using 명/분/마리 + numbers 1–4.
📌 Related Lessons
Keep exploring and build momentum day by day.
🎓 italki Lesson
Want feedback on your sentences and pronunciation? Book a 1:1 session and practice counters in real situations (cafés, shops, schedules).
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