How to Count in Korean (With Pronunciation)79

Counting is an essential skill for any language learner. In Korean, the numbers 1-10 have unique native Korean words, while numbers 11 and above are formed using a combination of native Korean and Sino-Korean words. Sino-Korean words are derived from Chinese and are used to express concepts and ideas that were not present in the native Korean language.

1-10 Pronounced in 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)

11-19 Pronounced in Korean

11. 열 하나 (yeol hana)
12. 열 둘 (yeol dul)
13. 열 셋 (yeol set)
14. 열 넷 (yeol net)
15. 열 다섯 (yeol daseot)
16. 열 여섯 (yeol yeoseot)
17. 열 일곱 (yeol ilgop)
18. 열 여덟 (yeol yeodeol)
19. 열 아홉 (yeol ahop)

20 and Above Pronounced in Korean

20. 스물 (seumul)
30. 서른 (seoreun)
40. 마흔 (maheun)
50.쉰 (swin)
60. 예순 (yesun)
70. 일흔 (ilhun)
80. 여든 (yeodeun)
90. 아흔 (aheun)
100. 백 (baek)
1,000. 천 (cheon)
10,000. 만 (man)

Tips for Counting in Korean

• When counting objects, the native Korean numbers are used. For example, "three apples" is "셋 사과 (set sagwa)."
• The native Korean number "하나 (hana)" is used as an indefinite article, similar to "a" or "an" in English. For example, "I have a book" is "저는 한 권의 책이 있습니다 (jeoneun han gwon-ui chaek-i issseubnida)."
• When counting people, the Sino-Korean number "명 (myeong)" is used. For example, "three people" is "셋 명 (set myeong)."
• Large numbers are read in units of thousands, ten thousands, and so on. For example, "123,456" is read as "십이만 삼천 사백 오십육 (sibi-man samcheon sabeog osib-yuk)."
• The Korean word for "zero" is "영 (yeong)." It is used in numbers that have no tens or units, such as "100" (백 (baek)) or "2,000" (이천 (icheon)).

Conclusion

Counting in Korean is relatively straightforward once you understand the basic rules. By following these tips and practicing regularly, you can quickly master the Korean number system.

2025-02-24

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