Lesson 6: Counting in Korean - Master Numbers 1 to 10

Welcome to Lesson 6! In this lesson, we’ll focus on counting in Korean, covering numbers 1 to 10. Understanding both the Sino-Korean and native Korean numbering systems is essential for everyday communication, whether you’re shopping, telling time, or counting objects. We’ll guide you through both systems and provide over 50 practical example sentences to help you master these basics.

1. Understanding the Two Korean Numbering Systems

Korean uses two numbering systems: Sino-Korean (based on Chinese characters) and Native Korean. Each has its own usage depending on the context.

• Sino-Korean Numbers are used for dates, money, phone numbers, addresses, and minutes.
• Native Korean Numbers are used for counting objects, people, age, and hours.

2. Numbers 1 to 10 in Korean

Here’s a quick overview of the numbers 1 to 10 in both systems:

• Sino-Korean:

  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)

• Native Korean:

  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)

3. Practical Examples Using Sino-Korean Numbers

• 일 (il) - 1

  • Example: 오늘은 1일입니다. (Oneureun il-ilimnida.) - Today is the 1st.

• 이 (i) - 2

  • Example: 제 전화번호는 2로 시작합니다. (Je jeonhwabeonhoneun i-ro sijakhamnida.) - My phone number starts with 2.

• 삼 (sam) - 3

  • Example: 3시에 만나요. (Sam-si-e mannayo.) - Let’s meet at 3 o'clock.

• 사 (sa) - 4

  • Example: 사월은 봄이에요. (Sawol-eun bom-ieyo.) - April is in spring.

• 오 (o) - 5

  • Example: 오월에 태어났어요. (Owol-e taeeonasseoyo.) - I was born in May.

• 육 (yuk) - 6

  • Example: 육개월 동안 공부했어요. (Yukgaewol dongan gongbuhaesseoyo.) - I studied for six months.

• 칠 (chil) - 7

  • Example: 7번 버스를 타세요. (Chil-beon beoseureul taseyo.) - Take bus number 7.

• 팔 (pal) - 8

  • Example: 팔일 후에 돌아올게요. (Palil hue doraolgeyo.) - I’ll return in 8 days.

• 구 (gu) - 9

  • Example: 구시에 회의가 있어요. (Gusi-e hoeuiga isseoyo.) - There’s a meeting at 9 o'clock.

• 십 (sip) - 10

  • Example: 십분만 기다려 주세요. (Sipbunman gidaryeo juseyo.) - Please wait for 10 minutes.

4. Practical Examples Using Native Korean Numbers

• 하나 (hana) - 1

  • Example: 사과 하나 주세요. (Sagwa hana juseyo.) - Please give me one apple.

• 둘 (dul) - 2

  • Example: 물 두 병을 샀어요. (Mul du byeongeul sasseoyo.) - I bought two bottles of water.

• 셋 (set) - 3

  • Example: 셋이서 같이 가요. (Set-iseo gachi gayo.) - Let’s go together as three.

• 넷 (net) - 4

  • Example: 네 개의 책을 읽었어요. (Ne gaeui chaegeul ilgeosseoyo.) - I read four books.

• 다섯 (daseot) - 5

  • Example: 다섯 명이 필요해요. (Daseot myeongi pilyohaeyo.) - We need five people.

• 여섯 (yeoseot) - 6

  • Example: 여섯 시에 일어나요. (Yeoseot si-e il-eonayo.) - I wake up at six o'clock.

• 일곱 (ilgop) - 7

  • Example: 일곱 마리의 고양이가 있어요. (Ilgop mari-ui goyangiga isseoyo.) - There are seven cats.

• 여덟 (yeodeol) - 8

  • Example: 여덟 시간 동안 공부했어요. (Yeodeol sigan dongan gongbuhaesseoyo.) - I studied for eight hours.

• 아홉 (ahop) - 9

  • Example: 아홉 가지 맛의 아이스크림이 있어요. (Ahop gaji mas-ui aiseukeurim-i isseoyo.) - There are nine flavors of ice cream.

• 열 (yeol) - 10

  • Example: 열 명이 모였어요. (Yeol myeongi moyeosseoyo.) - Ten people gathered.

5. Using Numbers in Daily Situations

• 열 개 주세요. (Yeol gae juseyo.) - Please give me ten.
• 나는 여섯 살이에요. (Naneun yeoseot sal-ieyo.) - I am six years old.
• 일곱 시에 학교에 가요. (Ilgop si-e hakgyoe gayo.) - I go to school at seven o'clock.
• 사람이 다섯 명 있어요. (Saram-i daseot myeong isseoyo.) - There are five people.
• 차가 네 대 있어요. (Cha-ga ne dae isseoyo.) - There are four cars.
• 팔 개의 쿠키를 먹었어요. (Pal gae-ui kukireul meogeosseoyo.) - I ate eight cookies.
• 아홉 마리의 강아지가 있어요. (Ahop mari-ui gangajiga isseoyo.) - There are nine puppies.
• 열 번 연습했어요. (Yeol beon yeonseuphaesseoyo.) - I practiced ten times.
• 일 분만 기다리세요. (Il bunman gidariseyo.) - Please wait for one minute.
• 둘이서 영화 봤어요. (Duriseo yeonghwa bwasseoyo.) - We watched a movie together as two.
• 삼 주 후에 여행 갈 거예요. (Sam ju hue yeohaeng gal geoyeyo.) - I will go on a trip in three weeks.
• 네 잔의 커피를 주문했어요. (Ne jan-ui keopi-reul jumunhaesseoyo.) - I ordered four cups of coffee.
• 열 번 전화했어요. (Yeol beon jeonhwahaesseoyo.) - I called ten times.
• 여섯 시간 동안 쉬었어요. (Yeoseot sigan dongan swieosseoyo.) - I rested for six hours.

6. Mixing Sino-Korean and Native Korean Numbers

• 열한 시에 만나요. (Yeolhan si-e mannayo.) - Let’s meet at 11 o'clock. (Sino + Native)
• 스무 개 주세요. (Seumu gae juseyo.) - Please give me twenty. (Native + Native)
• 이십 명이 모였어요. (Isip myeongi moyeosseoyo.) - Twenty people gathered. (Sino + Native)
• 백 원 있어요? (Baek won isseoyo?) - Do you have one hundred won? (Sino)
• 오천 원 주세요. (Ocheon won juseyo.) - Please give me five thousand won. (Sino)

Conclusion

Mastering numbers in Korean is crucial for effective communication, whether you're shopping, making appointments, or simply counting objects. By understanding both Sino-Korean and native Korean numbers, you’ll be well-equipped to handle everyday situations. Practice the examples provided, and soon you’ll be counting in Korean with ease!

For more lessons and tips on learning Korean, keep following our blog. Happy studying!