열째

The term 열째 serves as the ordinal counterpart to the cardinal number 열 (ten). In Korean, ordinal numbers are formed by adding the suffix -째 to the native Korean numbers.

Think of it as your go-to word when you are organizing items or describing a sequence. Whether you are talking about the 열째 person in a queue or the 열째 chapter in a book, this word keeps your counting precise and natural.

The word originates from the native Korean root 열, meaning 'ten'. The suffix -째 is a specialized grammatical marker used specifically to turn cardinal numbers into ordinal ones.

Historically, native Korean numbers (like 하나, 둘, 셋) were used for counting small quantities, while Sino-Korean numbers were used for larger or more abstract concepts. 열째 represents the preservation of this ancient counting system in modern daily life.

You will typically see 열째 used with counters or nouns representing items in a series. It is common to say 열째 아이 (the tenth child) or 열째 날 (the tenth day).

It is perfectly acceptable in both casual conversation and formal writing. Unlike some other numbers, it doesn't change form based on the formality of the sentence, making it quite versatile for learners.

While 열째 is primarily a functional number, it appears in phrases like 열째가 넘다 (to be beyond the tenth), implying something is quite numerous or frequent.

• 열째 손가락: Often used metaphorically to describe something as precious as one's own fingers.
• 열째 줄: The tenth line/row.
• 열째 번: The tenth time.
• 열째 시도: The tenth attempt.
• 열째 기념일: The tenth anniversary.

Pronounced as [열째], the double consonant ㅉ requires a sharp, tense sound. It is not pluralized because it is a fixed ordinal identifier.

In terms of grammar, it functions as a determiner. You place it directly before the noun it modifies. It does not require special particles unless you are adding emphasis to the position.