🔢 Korean Numbers: Sino vs Native (Beginner Level)
🔢 Korean Numbers: Sino vs. Native (The Ultimate Beginner Guide)
Did you know Korean uses two completely different number systems? Teacher Hoon explains when and how to use each so you can speak about time, age, and prices like a local.
Why Two Systems? (EEAT Tip)
As an expert teacher with 20 years of experience, I always tell my students: think of Sino-Korean (Chinese-based) as the "Official/Big Number" system and Native Korean as the "Casual/Counting" system. Mixing them up is one of the most common beginner mistakes. Let's master the distinction once and for all.
📑 Tap to view Number Lessons
1. Comparison Chart: 1–10
| # | Sino-Korean (일, 이...) | Native Korean (하나, 둘...) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 일 (il) | 하나 (hana) |
| 2 | 이 (i) | 둘 (dul) |
| 3 | 삼 (sam) | 셋 (set) |
| 4 | 사 (sa) | 넷 (net) |
| 5 | 오 (o) | 다섯 (daseot) |
| 10 | 십 (sip) | 열 (yeol) |
2. When to Use Each System?
🟦 Use Sino-Korean for:
- 💵 Money & Prices (만원, 오천원)
- 📅 Dates & Months (7월 20일)
- ⏱ Minutes & Seconds (10분, 30초)
- ☎ Phone Numbers (공일공...)
🟩 Use Native Korean for:
- 🎂 Age (스물다섯 살)
- 🕐 Hours (Time) (한 시, 두 시)
- 🍎 Counting Items (두 개, 세 병)
- 🧍 Counting People (네 명)
💡 Teacher Hoon's Pro "Time" Hack
Telling time is the ultimate test! We use Native for hours and Sino for minutes.
Example: 3:15 is 세 시 (Native) 십오 분 (Sino).
Also, remember that 하나, 둘, 셋, 넷 change to 한, 두, 세, 네 when followed by a counter (like '시' or '개')!
🗣 Practice Dialogue: Age & Date
A: 나이가 어떻게 되세요? (How old are you?)
B: 스물여덟 살이에요. (I'm 28 years old. - Native)
A: 오늘 몇 월 며칠이에요? (What's today's date?)
B: 오늘은 7월 20일이에요. (Today is July 20th. - Sino)
✅ Quick Check Quiz
1. How do you say "two cups of coffee"?
A) 커피 이 잔 B) 커피 두 잔
2. 50,000 won is read as...
A) 오십만 원 B) 오만 원
Stop Mixing Up Your Numbers!
Numbers are the backbone of daily life in Korea. Book a 1:1 beginner session with Hoon on italki. We'll role-play shopping and ordering at cafes until the right number system comes out of your mouth automatically!
🚀 Master Korean Numbers with Hoon
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