Cardinal Numbers
There are two different counting systems for Korean numbers; the native Korean numbers and the Sino-Korean numbers. Both of them have the same meaning (ex. 일 vs 하나 = 1), but they are used differently depending on the situation. In this chapter, we are going to learn the two counting systems, the counters, dates, and time so that you can be familiar with the time-related expressions. Let’s start with the two counting systems first.
The native Korean Numbers
1 = 하나 10 = 열
2 = 둘 20 = 스물
3 = 셋 30 = 서른
4 = 넷 40 = 마흔
5 = 다섯 50 = 쉰
6 = 여섯 60 = 예순
7 = 일곱 70 = 일흔
8 = 여덟 80 = 여든
9 = 아홉 90 = 아흔
100 = 온 (However, we don’t use it as 온 now. You can use “백” instead of 온)
This is how the native Korean numbers are combined to be counted from eleven.
11 = 열하나 (10+1)
12 = 열둘 (10+2)
13 = 열셋 (10+3)
41 = 마흔하나 (40+1)
54 = 쉰넷 (50+4)
The native Korean numbers are used in particular situations. You will see how Koreans use the numbers between the native Korean numbers and Sino-Korean numbers later. Now let’s see in what situation the native Korean numbers are used.
To count in general (하나, 둘,셋...)
For age (17, 23, 37 years old)
For an hour only (02:15 pm)
*Koreans use the native Korean numbers for hours and Sino-Korean numbers for minutes.
Native Korean Numbers
Sino-Korean Numbers
1 = 일 10 = 십
2 = 이 20 = 이십
3 = 삼 30 = 삼십
4 = 사 40 = 사십
5 = 오 50 = 오십
6 = 육 60 = 육십
7 = 칠 70 = 칠십
8 = 팔 80 = 팔십
9 = 구 90 = 구십
10 = 십 100 = 백
200 = 이백
1,000 = 천
10,000 = 만
100,000 = 십만
1,000,000 = 백만
10,000,000 = 천만
100,000,000 = (일)억
This is how the Sino-Korean numbers are combined to be counted from eleven.
11 = 십일 (10+1)
23 = 이십삼 (20+3)
110 = 백십 (100+10)
309 = 삼백구 (300+9)
1,420 = 천사백이십 (1000+400+20)
The Sino-Korean numbers are used in particular situations as well. It is actually used in many different situations. Now let’s see in what situation the Sino-Korean numbers are used.
To count in general (일, 이, 삼...)
For mathematics (10+2 = 12)
To measure (10cm)
To count money (10,000원)
For phone numbers (010-1234-5678)
For minutes only (10:20pm)
For months (1월, 2월, 3월...)
Sino-Korean Numbers
Exercise
Write the native Korean numbers.
1. 16 = ____________
2. 32 = ___________
3. 9 = ___________
4. 40 = ___________
5. 1 = _________
Write the Sino-Korean numbers.
1. 5 = _________
2. 28 = _________
3. 60 = __________
4. 100 = _________
5. 210 = __________
Ordinal Numbers
Unlike cardinal numbers that we studied above, ordinal numbers use order while counting the numbers. In Ordinal Numbers, we will learn how the native Korean numbers and the Sino-Korean numbers are used differently. Let’s see what each of them looks like.
Native Korean numbers
Native Korean numbers are used to give step-by-step instructions in order such as a recipe, rule, procedure of operating, standard, etc.
First, Second, Third, etc…: 번째
첫 번째 = First
두 번째 = Second
세 번째 = Third
네 번째 = Fourth
From the fifth, you just need to add the native Korean number in front of “번째”.
다섯 번째 = Fifth
여섯 번째 = Sixth
열 번째 = Tenth
마지막 = Last
For example,
1. 내 첫 번째 친구 = My first friend
2. 그는 세 번째 문을 골랐어요 = He chose the third door
3. 그녀는 제 열 번째 여자친구에요 = She is my tenth girlfriend
Exercise
Write which “번째” is in Korean or English.
1. I get off on the second floor = _____________.
2. This class was my fourth class = __________.
3. 일곱 번째 선생님 = ____________.
4. 오늘은 제 아홉 번째 생일이에요 = ____________.
5. I finished reading on the third page = _____________.
라면 끓이는 법 (Recipe to cook ramen)
첫 번째, 냄비에 물을 넣고 끓인다
(First, pour adequate water into a pot and boil it)
두 번째, 끓는 물에 라면과 스프를 넣고 3분간 기다린다
(Second, put the ramen and soup base in the boiling water and wait for 3 minutes more)
세 번째, 맛있게 먹는다
(Third, enjoy your ramen)
It is also used when it refers to a specific person among family members like the first son, second son, the third youngest sister…etc,. Koreans use the shortened form when they call first or second son.
Shortened form
첫 번째 = 첫째
두 번째 = 둘째
세 번째 = 셋째
네 번째 = 넷째
다섯 번째 = 다섯째
마지막 = 막내
etc...
For example,
1. 첫째 아들은 의사예요
(My first son is a doctor)
2. 우리 둘째 아들은 축구를 좋아해요
(Our second son likes soccer)
3. 이 아이는 우리 막내예요
(This child is our last son)
4. 둘째 아들이 태어났습니다
(The second oldest son is born)
5. 넷째 딸이 첫째 아들을 제일 좋아합니다
(The fourth youngest daughter likes the first oldest son)
6. 셋째 누나가 결혼했습니다
(My third-oldest sister got married)
Sino-Korean Ordinal Numbers
When we talk about political, athletic (Olympic) or historical events, etc, the Sino-Korean ordinal numbers are used to identify each particular event.
For example,
1. 제 5차 유엔환경총회는 케냐 나이로비에서 열렸다.
(The fifth session of the United Nations Environmental Assembly was held in Nairobi, Kenya)
2. 제 2차 산업혁명은 19세기 중후반에서부터 20세기 중반에 일어났다.
(The second Industrial Revolution occurred from the mid-late 19th century to the mid-20th century)
3. 제 12회 동계 올림픽 대회가 취소됐습니다 (The twelfth Winter Olympics was canceled)
4. 대한민국 제 20대 대통령은 윤석열입니다 (The twentieth president of the Republic of Korea is Suk Yeol Yoon)