Counting in Korean: Native Korean System

There are 2 ways of counting numbers in Korean. We have the Sino-Korean counting system, then the Native Korean counting system. These two have different uses. 

The Native Korean numbers are used for counting from 1-99. While the Sino-Korean counting which was based on Chinese numbers are used for dates, phone numbers, and numbers above 100.

In this article, you'll be able to learn the numbers, their counting units, and how to use them.

Let's begin with the Native Korean counting system.

By memorizing the numbers above, you'll be able to form numbers from 1 to 99. Very easy, right?

Let me show you an example.

To get the number 23, you will need to put together 스물 (20) and 셋 (3). Therefore, 23 is 스물 셋 in Korean.

More examples:

18 = 열 (10) and 여덟 (8)

     = 열여덟 (yeol yeodeol)

59 = 쉰 (50) + 아홉 (9)

     = 쉰 아홉 (shin ahop)

94 = 아흔 (90) + 넷 (4)

     = 아흔 넷 (aheun net)

It's actually so simple as long as you know all the numbers listed above.

Now, counting in Korean is pretty much the same as counting in English. We use specific counting units or counter nouns to a certain type of item. Like in English, pairs, sheets, packs, etc.

When counting using Native Korean numbers, take note that the last letter of the syllable of the following numbers are omitted when added to a counting unit.

1, 2, 3, 4 and 20.

1 하나 becomes 한

2 둘 becomes 두

3 셋 becomes 세

4 넷 becomes 네

20 스물 becomes 스무

Native Korean Counting Units 

~ 개 used for objects in general 

* If you don't know which counting unit to use, use this. 

  사과 다섯 개 5 apples

  연필 세 개 3 pencils 

~ 마리 for counting animals 

  곰 네 마리 4 bears

  물고기 열 마리 10 fishes

* also used often to order things like chicken

 양념 치킨 한 마리 주세요. (One seasoned chicken, please.)

~ 병 bottles

 소주 다섯 병 5 bottles of soju

 콜라 한 병 a bottle of cola 

 맥주 두 병  2 bottles of beer

~ 켤레 pairs (of shoes and socks)

  양말 네 컬레   4 pair of socks 

  운동화 한 켤레   a pair of running shoes

~ 조각 slices/pieces 

* used with pizza, cake, or bread 

빵 두 조각   2 slices of bread

~ 대 machines/vehicles

  냉장고 한 대   one fridge 

  자전거 네 대   4 bicycles

~ 그릇 bowls 

  비빔밥 두 그릇  2 bowls of bibimbap

  라면 한 그릇   a bowl of ramen

** use 공기 when referring to rice. 공기 can only be used for rice. 

~ 장 thin sheets/flat objects 

 우표 두 장   2 stamps 

  종이 네 장  4 sheets of paper

~ 상자 or 박스 for boxes 

  오렌지 한 상자  a box of orange

~ 시간 hours (duration) 

 세 시간 3 hours 

 열두 시간 12 hours 

~ 시 o'clock 

 열한시 11 o'clock (written as 11시)

 여덟시  8 o'clock (8시)

~ 잔 for glasses or cups

  커피 두 잔  two cups of coffee

  소주 한 잔  a glass of soju

~ 살 years of age 

  일흔 살  70 years old 

  스무 살  20 years old 

~ 명 people/person (same as 사람)

  학생 다섯명 5 students

  한 명 one person

~ 사람 people/person

*literally means person and unlike 명, this can be used alone

 example: 저도 한국 사람이에요. I am also a Korean person. 

~ 권 for books

  영어 책 세권  an English book 

  소설책 두 권  2 novels

~ 분 people (honorific form)

* when referring to people using this counter noun, always use Native Korean numbers. This would have a different meaning once a Sino-Korean number is used.

example at a restaurant:

waiter to a customer, 몇 분이세요? (How many are you?)

You can use this when you're talking about people who are of higher rank or older than you. 

선생님 세 분 3 teachers 

할머니 여섯 분 6 grandmothers

~ 송이 bunch of fruits

 바나나 한 송이  a cluster of bananas

 포도 두 송이  a bunch of grapes

~ 번 number of times

  한번  one time

  두번  two times

* be careful in using 번 since this counting unit is also used in the Sino-Korean counting system but with a different meaning.  

There! That ends our Native Korean system counting lesson. I've prepared a chart for reference. 

In the next article, as a continuation of this topic, we'll be talking about the Sino-Korean counting system. 

Stay tuned! 'Til next time!