Korean Numbers: Two Systems, One Language
One of the most surprising things for Korean learners is that Korea uses two completely different number systems. The Sino-Korean system (한자어 숫자) comes from Chinese, while the Native Korean system (고유어 숫자) is indigenous to Korean.
Both are used daily, but in different contexts. This is the canonical numbers guide (native 1-100 deep dives redirect here).
Sino-Korean Numbers (한자어 숫자)
These numbers are derived from Chinese and are used for:
- Phone numbers
- Dates (year, month, day)
- Money
- Addresses
- Math
- Numbers above 100
| Number | Korean | Romanization |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 영/공 | yeong/gong |
| 1 | 일 | il |
| 2 | 이 | i |
| 3 | 삼 | sam |
| 4 | 사 | sa |
| 5 | 오 | o |
| 6 | 육 | yuk |
| 7 | 칠 | chil |
| 8 | 팔 | pal |
| 9 | 구 | gu |
| 10 | 십 | sip |
Building larger numbers:
- 11 = 십일 (sip-il), ten-one
- 20 = 이십 (i-sip), two-ten
- 25 = 이십오 (i-sip-o), two-ten-five
- 100 = 백 (baek)
- 1,000 = 천 (cheon)
- 10,000 = 만 (man)
Native Korean Numbers (고유어 숫자)
These are the original Korean numbers, used for:
- Counting things (with counters)
- Telling time (hours)
- Age
- Quantities of items (1-99)
| Number | Korean | Romanization |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 하나 | hana |
| 2 | 둘 | dul |
| 3 | 셋 | set |
| 4 | 넷 | net |
| 5 | 다섯 | daseot |
| 6 | 여섯 | yeoseot |
| 7 | 일곱 | ilgop |
| 8 | 여덟 | yeodeol |
| 9 | 아홉 | ahop |
| 10 | 열 | yeol |
Important: When Native Korean numbers 1-4 are used with counters, they change form:
- 하나 → 한 (han)
- 둘 → 두 (du)
- 셋 → 세 (se)
- 넷 → 네 (ne)
Native 11-19
Pattern: 열 + digit (열하나, 열둘, … 열아홉).
Native tens (20-90)
| Number | Korean | Romanization |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | 스물 / 스무 | seumul / seumu |
| 30 | 서른 | seoreun |
| 40 | 마흔 | maheun |
| 50 | 쉰 | swin |
| 60 | 예순 | yesun |
| 70 | 일흔 | ilheun |
| 80 | 여든 | yeodeun |
| 90 | 아흔 | aheun |
Combine tens + digit: 스물다섯 (25), 서른일곱 (37), 아흔아홉 (99). Native counting rarely goes past 99 for ages/objects; 100+ usually switches to Sino-Korean (백, 천, 만).
스물 vs 스무: 스무 often appears before counters (스무 개); 스물 appears in ages and freer combinations (스물한 살).
When to Use Which
Here's a quick reference:
| Context | System | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Phone numbers | Sino-Korean | 010-삼사오육-칠팔구공 |
| Dates | Sino-Korean | 이천이십오년 일월 (January 2025) |
| Money | Sino-Korean | 오천 원 (5,000 won) |
| Age | Native Korean | 스물다섯 살 (25 years old) |
| Hours | Native Korean | 세 시 (3 o'clock) |
| Minutes | Sino-Korean | 삼십 분 (30 minutes) |
| Counting objects | Native Korean | 사과 세 개 (3 apples) |
The Counter System
Korean uses counters (like Japanese) when counting objects. The number comes after the noun and before the counter:
- 사과 세 개, three apples (개 = general counter)
- 커피 두 잔, two cups of coffee (잔 = cup counter)
- 사람 다섯 명, five people (명 = person counter)
- 책 한 권, one book (권 = book counter)
Practice on Chamelingo
Chamelingo's exercises include dedicated number drills for both systems. You'll practice in context, ordering food, telling time, talking about your age, so the right system becomes instinctive, not something you have to think about.
Numbers are closely tied to counters and telling time in our curriculum. Check out our interactive grammar reference for hands-on examples.