Korean Numbers: Sino vs Native for Age, Time & Money

One of the most surprising things for Korean learners is that Korea uses two completely different number systems. This is the complete reference for deciding which system to use for counting, age, time, money, and everyday numbers.

Both are used daily, but in different contexts. The Sino-Korean system (한자어 숫자) comes from Chinese, while the Native Korean system (고유어 숫자) is indigenous to Korean.

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

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)

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)

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:

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.