Korean Numbers: Sino-Korean vs. Native Korean (And When to Use Each)
Jun 03, 2026Here's something that surprises almost every Korean beginner:
Korean has two completely separate number systems.
Not just different words for the same numbers - two entirely different sets, used in different situations, following different rules. Use the wrong one and you'll sound unnatural, or worse, be misunderstood.
The good news? Once you understand why they exist and when to use each one, it all starts to make sense. Let's break it down.
Why Does Korean Have Two Number Systems?
Korean has its own native number system that has existed for thousands of years. Then, around the 7th century, Korea began adopting Chinese characters and culture - including Chinese numbers, known as Sino-Korean (한자어) numbers.
Over time, both systems survived and became embedded in the language - but each took on specific roles. Today, they're used in completely different contexts, and both are essential for daily life.
| System | Korean name | Origin | Used for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sino-Korean | 한자어 숫자 | Chinese-derived | Dates, money, phone numbers, addresses, minutes |
| Native Korean | 순우리말 숫자 | Original Korean | Counting objects, age (casual), hours |
Sino-Korean Numbers (1–100)
These are the numbers borrowed from Chinese. They're used for larger, more "official" counting contexts.
| Number | Sino-Korean | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 영 / 공 | yeong / gong |
| 1 | 일 | il |
| 2 | 이 | i |
| 3 | 삼 | sam |
| 4 | 사 | sa |
| 5 | 오 | o |
| 6 | 육 | yuk |
| 7 | 칠 | chil |
| 8 | 팔 | pal |
| 9 | 구 | gu |
| 10 | 십 | sip |
| 11 | 십일 | sibil |
| 20 | 이십 | isip |
| 30 | 삼십 | samsip |
| 50 | 오십 | osip |
| 100 | 백 | baek |
| 1,000 | 천 | cheon |
| 10,000 | 만 | man |
💡 Building larger numbers: Sino-Korean is logical and systematic - just combine the units.
- 15 = 십오 (10 + 5)
- 37 = 삼십칠 (3×10 + 7)
- 99 = 구십구 (9×10 + 9)
Native Korean Numbers (1–99)
These are the original Korean numbers. They're used for more everyday, informal counting - especially when paired with counters (단위명사).
| Number | Native Korean | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 열하나 | yeolhana |
| 20 | 스물 | seumul |
| 30 | 서른 | seoreun |
| 40 | 마흔 | maheun |
| 50 | 쉰 | swin |
| 60 | 예순 | yesun |
| 70 | 일흔 | ilheun |
| 80 | 여든 | yeodeun |
| 90 | 아흔 | aheun |
⚠️ Native Korean only goes up to 99. For 100 and above, Koreans switch to Sino-Korean.
💡 Building larger native numbers:
- 21 = 스물하나
- 35 = 서른다섯
- 48 = 마흔여덟
⚠️ Important: Native Numbers Change Before Counters
When native Korean numbers 1–4 and 20 come directly before a counter word, they shorten:
| Original | Shortened | Use |
|---|---|---|
| 하나 | 한 | 한 개, 한 명 |
| 둘 | 두 | 두 개, 두 명 |
| 셋 | 세 | 세 개, 세 명 |
| 넷 | 네 | 네 개, 네 명 |
| 스물 | 스무 | 스무 살 |
This is one of the most common mistakes beginners make - saying 하나 개 instead of 한 개. Remember: the number shortens when it's followed by a counter.
When to Use Sino-Korean Numbers
1. Money (돈)
이 커피는 오천 원이에요. This coffee is 5,000 won.
지갑에 만 원이 있어요. There is 10,000 won in my wallet.
이 가방은 얼마예요? - 삼만 오천 원이에요. How much is this bag? - It's 35,000 won.
2. Dates (날짜) - Year, Month, Day
오늘은 오월 십사일이에요. Today is May 14th.
제 생일은 삼월 이십오일이에요. My birthday is March 25th.
이천이십육년 - 2026년 The year 2026
3. Phone Numbers
제 번호는 공일공-일이삼사-오육칠팔이에요. My number is 010-1234-5678.
💡 For phone numbers, Koreans use 공 (0) not 영.
4. Minutes (분)
지금 세 시 삼십 분이에요. It's 3:30 right now.
오 분만 기다려 주세요. Please wait just 5 minutes.
5. Addresses & Floor Numbers
삼 층에 있어요. It's on the 3rd floor.
이십이 호예요. It's room/unit 22.
When to Use Native Korean Numbers
1. Counting Objects (with counters)
The most important use of native numbers - always paired with a counter word.
| Counter | Used for | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 개 (gae) | general objects | 사과 두 개 (two apples) |
| 명 (myeong) | people (neutral) | 학생 세 명 (three students) |
| 분 (bun) | people (honorific) | 선생님 두 분 (two teachers) |
| 마리 (mari) | animals | 고양이 한 마리 (one cat) |
| 권 (gwon) | books | 책 다섯 권 (five books) |
| 병 (byeong) | bottles | 물 한 병 (one bottle of water) |
| 잔 (jan) | cups/glasses | 커피 두 잔 (two cups of coffee) |
| 장 (jang) | flat sheets | 종이 세 장 (three sheets of paper) |
| 번 (beon) | times/occurrences | 두 번 (twice / two times) |
Full sentence examples:
사과 세 개 주세요. Please give me three apples.
고양이가 두 마리 있어요. There are two cats.
학생이 열 명이에요. There are ten students.
커피 한 잔 주세요. One coffee, please.
2. Hours (시)
지금 몇 시예요? - 두 시예요. What time is it? - It's 2 o'clock.
일곱 시에 일어나요. I wake up at 7 o'clock.
열두 시에 점심을 먹어요. I eat lunch at 12 o'clock.
💡 Hours = Native Korean. Minutes = Sino-Korean. 두 시 삼십 분 = 2:30 (two [native] hours, thirty [sino] minutes)
3. Age — Casual (살)
저는 스물다섯 살이에요. I'm 25 years old.
우리 강아지는 세 살이에요. My dog is 3 years old.
💡 In formal/written contexts, Sino-Korean + 세 is also used: 이십오 세 (25세) - you'll see this on forms and documents.
Side-by-Side: Telling Time in Korean
Time uses both systems at once - a great way to practice both!
| Time | Korean | Breakdown |
|---|---|---|
| 1:00 | 한 시 | 한 (native 1) + 시 |
| 2:30 | 두 시 삼십 분 | 두 (native 2) + 시 + 삼십 (sino 30) + 분 |
| 6:15 | 여섯 시 십오 분 | 여섯 (native 6) + 시 + 십오 (sino 15) + 분 |
| 9:45 | 아홉 시 사십오 분 | 아홉 (native 9) + 시 + 사십오 (sino 45) + 분 |
| 12:00 | 열두 시 | 열두 (native 12) + 시 |
Real Conversations Using Both Systems
📍 Conversation 1: At a market
손님: 이 사과 한 개에 얼마예요? Customer: How much is one of these apples?
상인: 천오백 원이에요. Vendor: It's 1,500 won.
손님: 그럼 다섯 개 주세요. 얼마예요? Customer: Then give me five, please. How much is that?
상인: 칠천오백 원이에요. Vendor: That's 7,500 won.
📍 Conversation 2: Making plans
A: 몇 시에 만날까요? A: What time shall we meet?
B: 세 시 어때요? B: How about 3 o'clock?
A: 세 시 삼십 분은요? 지금 할 일이 있어요. A: What about 3:30? I have things to do right now.
B: 좋아요! 그때 봐요. B: Sounds good! See you then.
Quick Reference: Which System to Use?
| Context | System | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Money | Sino-Korean | 오천 원 |
| Dates | Sino-Korean | 오월 십사일 |
| Minutes | Sino-Korean | 삼십 분 |
| Phone numbers | Sino-Korean | 공일공... |
| Hours | Native Korean | 두 시 |
| Counting objects | Native Korean | 사과 두 개 |
| Age (casual) | Native Korean | 스물다섯 살 |
| People | Native Korean | 세 명 |
Quick Practice
Fill in the blank with the correct number:
- 커피 ___ 잔 주세요. (2 cups) → Native
- 오늘은 ___ 월 ___ 일이에요. (May 14th) → Sino
- 지금 ___ 시 ___ 분이에요. (7:20) → Native + Sino
- 고양이가 ___ 마리 있어요. (3 cats) → Native
- 이 책은 ___ 원이에요. (12,000 won) → Sino
Answers:
- 두 잔
- 오월 십사일
- 일곱 시 이십 분
- 세 마리
- 만 이천 원
Summary
| Sino-Korean | Native Korean | |
|---|---|---|
| 1–10 | 일 이 삼 사 오 육 칠 팔 구 십 | 하나 둘 셋 넷 다섯 여섯 일곱 여덟 아홉 열 |
| Key uses | Money, dates, minutes, phone | Hours, objects (with counters), age |
| Limit | No limit | Up to 99 only |
| Shortening | No change | 하나→한, 둘→두, 셋→세, 넷→네 before counters |
Korean numbers look intimidating at first - but they follow clear patterns, and the more you practice in context (telling time, ordering food, shopping), the more natural they become.
Learn Korean Numbers in Context — Not Just in a Chart
Memorizing number charts is one thing. Actually using them in sentences, with the right counters, at the right speed - that's something else entirely.
In the Today Korean A1 Masterclass, numbers are taught the way they're actually used: in shopping dialogues, time expressions, and real conversations - so they stick.
👉 Join the waitlist for the A1 Masterclass
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