Korean Language: understanding Korean Numbers


Fluency in Korean is characterized by the ability to mention Korean numbers. Here you will learn how to use number in a sentence.

Korean Numbers are just like numbers in general. It's a noun in sentences to express the amount of an object or subject. There are two types of numerals in Korean, Sino Number and Pure Number.

Korean Sino Numbers

Korean Sino numbers are numbers that are used in certain situations. Here are the functions of Sino Numbers:
  • To calculate the amount of money
  • For measurement
  • For math calculation
  • To say a phone number
  • To tell or calculate time (except hours)
  • To talk about a month



The Korean Numbers in the board above are the basic number groups. To mention other numbers, there is a special way to mention them. The trick is that if the number to be mentioned is more than equal to (>=) one million and less then 100 million, then we can divide it by the highest pure number which is ten thousand (만). This largest number will be written or placed in the last digit and the smallest number will be placed in the first digit. Examples:

How to Use Korean Sino Numbers in a Sentence

Sino Numbers are usually used for counting, measuring, and everything related to math. Let's take a look at the picture below, Korean Sino Numbers over 1000 are used to calculate math, money etc:

Korean Pure Numbers

"Pure" numbers are used in more limited situations than Sino numbers, Sino Numbers are usually used for counting talk about time, and sometimes talk about months.

Korean Cardinal Number

The number "Pure" is used in cardinal number. Cardinal numbers are used to count quantities in general or various ways like mentions age. Not only that, "Pure" Numbers are also used to describe the amount of an item, person, or event, so there is an affix or adverb to explain it.
The adverb is always use together with the number :
  • 개 : fruit → 3개 (se ge) = 3 apples
  • 명: people→ 3명 (se myeong) = 3 women
  • 번 : duration → 3번 (se beon) = 3 times to the market
Use of Korean Pure Numbers for Duration or Time

The example above is a basic sentence that uses to be (am/is/are), I have already discussed Simple Sentences, if you are still confused about how to use "to be" in Korean don't forget to go to check it now. The condition that must be considered to use pure numbers is that we must modify the following numbers below: 
  • 1 : 하나→ 한 (han) 
  • 2 : 둘 → 두 (du) 
  • 3 : 셋 → 세 (se) 
  • 4 : 넷 → 네 (ne) 
  • 20 : 스물 → 스무 (seumu)

The following is an example of using Sino and Pure Numbers:

Some

"Some" is a subset of adjectives used for more than one number of objects. In Korean "some" can be expressed with "몇". "몇" is followed by 개 (for the object) and 명 (for the human subject) as described in Figure 10. Let's take a look at an example of a "some/any" sentence in the example below!

The Use of Zero (0) in Korean

There are two words that can be used for 0 in a sentence, "영" and "공". The correct use of these two Korean numbers at the right time is:

Don't forget to read the first basic Lesson: How to Read and Write Hangeul

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