How to Pronounce “Three“ in Korean384

Learning to pronounce Korean numbers is essential for basic communication in the language. One of the most frequently used numbers is "three," which has three different pronunciations depending on its placement in a sentence.

"Se" (세)

The most common pronunciation of "three" in Korean is "se" (세). It is used when "three" stands alone or comes before a noun:* 세 개 (se gae): three things
* 세 시간 (se sigan): three hours
* 세 살 (se sal): three years old

"Set" (셋)

The pronunciation "set" (셋) is used when "three" is followed by a particle or comes at the end of a sentence:* 셋째 (setjjae): third
* 셋이다 (setida): it is three
* 셋만 (setman): only three

"Sam" (삼)

The pronunciation "sam" (삼) is used in certain compound words and expressions:* 삼국 (samguk): Three Kingdoms
* 삼복 (sambog): three hottest days of summer
* 삼천 (samcheon): three thousand

Other Considerations* When counting objects, the word "ge" (개) is added after "three" to indicate the number of items: 세 개 (se gae): three things
* The pronunciation "set" (셋) can also be used before "ge" when the number is followed by a specific noun: 셋 개 (set gae): three things

Pronunciation Guide* Se: Pronounced with a short "e" sound, similar to the "e" in "egg."
* Set: Pronounced with a slightly longer "e" sound, similar to the "a" in "apple."
* Sam: Pronounced with a short "a" sound, similar to the "a" in "cat."

Practice* 세 개 사과 (se gae sagwa): three apples
* 셋째 아들 (setjjae adeul): third son
* 삼국시대 (samguk sidae): Three Kingdoms period
* 셋만 남았습니다 (setman namassseumnida): Only three are left.
* 삼천리 밖 (samcheonri bbak): thousands of miles away

2025-01-06

Previous：AEGI: Understanding the Korean Accent on English Words

Next：How to Pronounce the Korean Word for “Bill“