Learn Sino-Korean vs. Native Korean numbers and when to use each system for time, prices, age, phone numbers, Korean counters, people, and everyday items
Beginner Korean
Sino-Korean vs. Native Korean Numbers: Prices, Time & Counting
Learn how to choose the correct Korean number system for money, hours, minutes, age, people, objects, dates, phone numbers, and everyday conversations.
Lesson Summary
- Use Sino-Korean numbers for prices, dates, phone numbers, minutes, seconds, addresses, and large values.
- Use Native Korean numbers for hours, age, people, and many physical objects.
- Native numbers 하나, 둘, 셋, 넷, and 스물 change before counters.
- Korean clock time combines both systems: Native Korean for hours and Sino-Korean for minutes.
- Prices always use Sino-Korean numbers followed by 원.
Korean learners must become comfortable with two different number systems: Sino-Korean numbers and Native Korean numbers. Each system is used in specific situations, so learning the usage rules is more important than memorizing long number lists.
This lesson explains both systems and shows how to use them when reading prices, telling time, counting people and objects, stating age, and handling other everyday situations.
If you are learning Korean, one of the first major hurdles you will encounter is counting. Unlike English, which uses a single set of numbers for everything, Korean relies on two distinct counting systems: Sino-Korean vs. Native Korean numbers. Understanding when and how to switch between these two systems is essential whether you are paying for street food in Myeongdong, booking a train ticket, or telling a friend what time to meet.
While having two numeric systems might feel intimidating at first, each system follows strict, logical patterns. In this comprehensive guide, we will break down both sets of numbers from 1 to 100, explain their clear usage rules, and teach you how to master reading prices, telling time, and counting everyday items like a native speaker.
Why Does Korean Have Two Number Systems?
The existence of two sets of numbers is rooted in Korea's linguistic history. Sino-Korean numbers are derived from Chinese characters (Hanja) introduced centuries ago. They are structured around powers of ten and are used for formal, mathematical, and precise measurements such as money, dates, phone numbers, and minutes.
On the other hand, Native Korean numbers originate from the indigenous Korean language. They are typically used for counting physical items, people, age, and hours on a clock. Native Korean numbers only go up to 99; for numbers 100 and above, Koreans exclusively use Sino-Korean numbers.
• Use Sino-Korean for large quantities, dates, money, minutes, seconds, addresses, and phone numbers.
• Use Native Korean for smaller counts of physical things, people, age, and hours.
1. Sino-Korean Numbers (한자어 숫자)
Sino-Korean numbers are remarkably easy to build once you memorize numbers 1 through 10. They form the foundation for currency, calendar dates, and phone numbers.
Sino-Korean Numbers 1 to 10
| Number | Hangul | Romanization | Pronunciation Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 일 | il | "Eel" |
| 2 | 이 | i | "Eee" |
| 3 | 삼 | sam | "Sahm" |
| 4 | 사 | sa | "Sah" |
| 5 | 오 | o | "Oh" |
| 6 | 육 | yuk | "Yook" |
| 7 | 칠 | chil | "Cheel" |
| 8 | 팔 | pal | "Pahl" |
| 9 | 구 | gu | "Goo" |
| 10 | 십 | sip | "Sheep" |
How to Build Higher Sino-Korean Numbers
To construct higher numbers in Sino-Korean, simply combine base digits logically:
- 11 to 19 (10 + Digit): 11 is 10 + 1 → 십일 (sip-il). 15 is 10 + 5 → 십오 (sip-o).
- Tens (Digit + 10): 20 is 2 x 10 → 이십 (i-sip). 30 is 3 x 10 → 삼십 (sam-sip).
- Compound Numbers: 35 is 30 + 5 → 삼십오 (sam-sip-o).
Key Large Multipliers in Sino-Korean
- 100: 백 (baek)
- 1,000: 천 (cheon)
- 10,000: 만 (man) — Note: Korean counts large numbers in units of 10,000 (만), not 1,000!
2. Native Korean Numbers (순우리말 숫자)
Native Korean numbers are primarily used when counting items with counter nouns (like bottles, glasses, or people) and when expressing age or hours of the day.
Native Korean Numbers 1 to 10
| Number | Hangul | Romanization | Pronunciation Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 하나 | hana | "Ha-nah" |
| 2 | 둘 | dul | "Dool" |
| 3 | 셋 | set | "Seht" |
| 4 | 넷 | net | "Neht" |
| 5 | 다섯 | daseot | "Tah-seht" |
| 6 | 여섯 | yeoseot | "Yuh-seht" |
| 7 | 일곱 | ilgop | "Eel-gohp" |
| 8 | 여덟 | yeodeol | "Yuh-deohl" |
| 9 | 아홉 | ahop | "Ah-hohp" |
| 10 | 열 | yeol | "Yuhl" |
Native Korean Tens Units (20 to 50)
Unlike Sino-Korean, Native Korean has unique words for each multiple of ten:
- 20: 스물 (seumul)
- 30: 서른 (seoreun)
- 40: 마흔 (maheun)
- 50: 쉰 (swin)
Important Rule: Modified Numbers Before Counters
When the first four Native Korean numbers (1, 2, 3, 4) and 20 are attached directly to a counter noun, their form slightly shortens:
• 둘 (2) → 두 (du): 두 명 (two people)
• 셋 (3) → 세 (se): 세 시 (three o'clock)
• 넷 (4) → 네 (ne): 네 잔 (four cups)
• 스물 (20) → 스무 (seumu): 스무 살 (twenty years old)
How to Tell Time in Korean (The Hybrid Method)
Telling time is where the two systems intersect! When reading a clock in Korean, you combine both sets in a single phrase:
Clock Formula:
[Native Korean Number] 시 + [Sino-Korean Number] 분
• 시 (si): Hour counter (uses Native Korean)
• 분 (bun): Minute counter (uses Sino-Korean)
Examples of Telling Time:
- 1:00 → 한 시 (han si) — Native Korean 1 (shortened) + 시
- 3:15 → 세 시 십오 분 (se si sip-o bun) — Native 3 + 시 + Sino 15 + 분
- 7:30 → 일곱 시 삼십 분 (ilgop si sam-sip bun) OR 일곱 시 반 (ilgop si ban, where 반 means half)
- 10:45 → 열 시 사십오 분 (yeol si sa-sip-o bun)
How to Read Prices in Korean Currency (원)
When shopping or dining in Korea, prices are expressed exclusively in Sino-Korean numbers followed by the currency unit 원 (won).
| Price in Won | Hangul Breakdown | Romanization | English Equivalent (~USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000 ₩ | 천 원 | cheon won | ~$0.75 USD |
| 4,500 ₩ | 사천오백 원 | sa-cheon-o-baek won | ~$3.40 USD (Iced Americano) |
| 12,000 ₩ | 만 이천 원 | man i-cheon won | ~$9.00 USD (Casual Lunch) |
| 35,000 ₩ | 삼만 오천 원 | sam-man o-cheon won | ~$26.00 USD (K-BBQ Meal) |
Understanding the "만" (10,000) Rule
In Western languages, numbers comma-separate every thousand (10,000 = ten thousand). In Korean, large values shift at every four zeros (만 = 10,000). Therefore, 50,000 Won is read as 오만 원 (o-man won), literally "five ten-thousands".
Summary: Which Number System Should You Use?
| Category | System to Use | Example Phrase |
|---|---|---|
| Money & Prices | Sino-Korean | 만원 (man won) - 10,000 Won |
| Clock Minutes & Seconds | Sino-Korean | 삼십 분 (sam-sip bun) - 30 minutes |
| Calendar Dates & Months | Sino-Korean | 오월 (o-wol) - May (Month 5) |
| Phone Numbers | Sino-Korean | 공일공 (gong-il-gong) - 010 |
| Clock Hours | Native Korean | 두 시 (du si) - 2 o'clock |
| Counting People / Items | Native Korean | 세 명 (se myeong) - 3 people |
| Age (Years old) | Native Korean | 스무 살 (seumu sal) - 20 years old |
Korean Culture Tips
- In real conversations, Koreans often shorten Native Korean numbers before counters: 한 명, 두 개, 세 시, and 네 잔.
- When the item is already clear, the noun may be omitted. At a café, 두 잔 주세요 can mean “Two cups, please.”
- Price signs normally use Arabic numerals, but cashiers and customers pronounce the amount using Sino-Korean numbers.
- For legal or formal age, Sino-Korean numbers with 세 are common; everyday age often uses Native Korean numbers with 살.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | Better Korean |
|---|---|
| Using Native Korean numbers for prices | Say 오천 원, not 다섯천 원. |
| Saying 하나 개 or 둘 명 | Use the shortened forms 한 개 and 두 명. |
| Using one system for the entire clock time | Use Native Korean for hours and Sino-Korean for minutes. |
| Reading phone-number zero only as 영 | Phone numbers normally use 공. |
| Grouping large Korean numbers only by thousands | Remember the important unit 만, meaning 10,000. |
Quick Knowledge Check
Select the correct answer for each scenario below.
Question 1: How do you say "4:00" (4 o'clock) in Korean?
A) 사 시 (sa si)
B) 네 시 (ne si)
C) 넷 시 (net si)
Question 2: What number system is used to say "15,000 Won" when paying at a restaurant?
A) Sino-Korean numbers
B) Native Korean numbers
C) A mix of both
Question 3: How do you say "25 minutes" in Korean?
A) 스물다섯 분 (seumul-daseot bun)
B) 이십오 분 (i-sip-o bun)
C) 두십오 분 (du-sip-o bun)
Show Answers
Answers:
1. B) 네 시 (ne si) — Hours use Native Korean, and 넷 shortens to 네 before 시.
2. A) Sino-Korean numbers — All currency values use Sino-Korean exclusively.
3. B) 이십오 분 (i-sip-o bun) — Minutes always use Sino-Korean (20 + 5 + 분).
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
Mastering Sino-Korean vs. Native Korean numbers is a major milestone on your Korean learning journey. Remember the basic division: use Sino-Korean for money, minutes, and math, and Native Korean for hours, age, and physical objects. With a little practice reading prices and clock times daily, switching between both systems will become second nature!
