Korean Multiplication Table - SECRETKOREAN

The Korean multiplication table, known as "구구단" is a fundamental aspect of elementary mathematics education in South Korea. It is similar to multiplication tables taught worldwide, where students memorize the products of numbers typically from 1 to 9. Let's learn what is "구구단" with the song as well. It will help you practice numbering in Korean.

Structure of the Korean Multiplication Table 

The table consists of rows and columns with each row representing a number (usually from 1 to 9) and each column representing the number it is being multiplied by. The intersection of a row and a column gives the product of those two numbers.

Format

In Korean, each multiplication fact is usually stated in a specific format: "A 곱하기 B는 C (A times B is C)." However, when you listen to the multiplication table song, Koreans skip saying "곱하기."

2단	3단	4단	5단
2 x 1 = 2 2 x 2 = 4 2 x 3 = 6 2 x 4 = 8 2 x 5 = 10 2 x 6 = 12 2 x 7 = 14 2 x 8 = 16 2 x 9 = 18	3 x 1 = 3 3 x 2 = 6 3 x 3 = 9 3 x 4 = 12 3 x 5 = 15 3 x 6 = 18 3 x 7 = 21 3 x 8 = 24 3 x 9 = 27	4 x 1 = 4 4 x 2 = 8 4 x 3 = 12 4 x 4 = 16 4 x 5 = 20 4 x 6 = 24 4 x 7 = 28 4 x 8 = 32 4 x 9 = 36	5 x 1 = 5 5 x 2 = 10 5 x 3 = 15 5 x 4 = 20 5 x 5 = 25 5 x 6 = 30 5 x 7 = 35 5 x 8 = 40 5 x 9 = 45

6단	7단	8단	9단
6 x 1 = 6 6 x 2 = 12 6 x 3 = 18 6 x 4 = 24 6 x 5 = 30 6 x 6 = 36 6 x 7 = 42 6 x 8 = 48 6 x 9 = 54	7 x 1 = 7 7 x 2 = 14 7 x 3 = 21 7 x 4 = 28 7 x 5 = 35 7 x 6 = 42 7 x 7 = 49 7 x 8 = 56 7 x 9 = 63	8 x 1 = 8 8 x 2 = 16 8 x 3 = 24 8 x 4 = 32 8 x 5 = 40 8 x 6 = 48 8 x 7 = 56 8 x 8 = 64 8 x 9 = 72	9 x 1 = 9 9 x 2 = 18 9 x 3 = 27 9 x 4 = 36 9 x 5 = 45 9 x 6 = 54 9 x 7 = 63 9 x 8 = 72 9 x 9 = 81

How to memorize

Korean students typically memorize the table through repetitive practice and recitation. Teachers might use various techniques such as songs, chants, and interactive activities to help students remember the products. Let's watch the video below and practice the multiplication table by the song.

Cultural Importance 

Mastery of the "구구단" is considered an important milestone in early education in South Korea. It is foundational for more advanced arithmetic and mathematics taught in later grades. Understanding the multiplication table is crucial as it not only aids in arithmetic operations but also in developing a deeper understanding of number relationships and mathematical concepts.

If you just learned Korean numbers or are about to study, this practice will be supportive to familiarize you with Korean numbers.