A1 · Principiante Capítulo 4

Mastering Numbers and Counting

5 Reglas totales
54 ejemplos
5 min
Reglas en este capítulo Práctica rápida

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Unlock your potential by learning how to count everything from money to your new friends!

  • Distinguish between Sino-Korean and Native Korean number systems.
  • Apply specific counters for objects, people, and animals correctly.
  • Express quantities naturally in everyday Korean conversations.
Count on your new Korean skills!

Lo que aprenderás

Hey there, future Korean speaker! Ready to unlock a superpower that will change how you interact with everything around you? This chapter, 'Mastering Numbers and Counting,' is your key! You're about to dive deep into not one, but *two* super cool Korean number systems: Sino-Korean and Native Korean. Sounds tricky? Don't sweat it! We'll show you exactly *when* to use each one. You'll master Sino-Korean for things like money, telling time (minutes!), and dates – super handy for shopping or checking your calendar. Then, you'll tackle Native Korean numbers, perfect for counting everyday objects, people, animals, and even your age! We'll guide you through connecting these numbers with specific counters: use 개 (gae) for almost anything, 명 (myeong) or the polite 분 (bun) for people (depending on who you're talking to – respect is key!), and 마리 (mari) for all sorts of adorable creatures. Imagine this: you're at a Korean market, confidently asking for two apples (사과 두 개), or meeting new friends and casually mentioning

we are three people
(세 명). By the end of this chapter, you won't just *know* numbers; you'll be able to *use* them naturally and confidently in real-life conversations. It's easier than you think, and we're here to make it fun!

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: confidently order items and describe quantities of people and animals.

Guía del capítulo

Overview

Hey there, future Korean speaker! Welcome to 'Mastering Numbers and Counting,' your essential guide to unlocking a superpower that will change how you interact with everything around you. This chapter is designed to give you a solid foundation in Korean numbers, a critical component of A1 Korean grammar.
Understanding how to count is fundamental for everyday tasks, from ordering food to telling time, and mastering it will significantly boost your confidence in real-life conversations.
In this chapter, you'll dive deep into not one, but *two* distinct Korean number systems: Sino-Korean and Native Korean. While this might sound daunting, don't worry! We'll show you exactly *when* to use each system, making it much easier than you might expect.
This dual system is a unique aspect of Korean grammar for beginners, but with our clear explanations and practical examples, you'll quickly get the hang of it.
By the end of this guide, you won't just *know* numbers; you'll be able to *use* them naturally and confidently. We'll cover everything from basic counting to applying specific counters for objects, people, and animals. This foundational knowledge is crucial for progressing in your CEFR A1 Korean journey, setting you up for success in more complex grammatical structures later on.

How This Grammar Works

Korean uniquely employs two distinct number systems: Sino-Korean numbers and Native Korean numbers. Knowing which one to use is key!
Sino-Korean Numbers (일, 이, 삼...) are derived from Chinese and are used for specific contexts like money, dates, years, addresses, phone numbers, and minutes when telling time.
* 일 (il) - one
* 이 (i) - two
* 삼 (sam) - three
* 사 (sa) - four
* 오 (o) - five
* Example: 오 분 (o bun) – five minutes. 오월 이일 (owol i-il) – May 2nd.
Native Korean Numbers (하나, 둘, 셋...) are used for counting general objects, people, animals, and for stating your age. They are typically used for numbers 1 through 99. For numbers 1-4, they change form when followed by a counter.
* 하나 (hana) → 한 (han) - one
* 둘 (dul) → 두 (du) - two
* 셋 (set) → 세 (se) - three
* 넷 (net) → 네 (ne) - four
* 다섯 (daseot) - five
* Example: 사과 한 개 (sagwa han gae) – one apple. 두 명 (du myeong) – two people.
We'll also learn about Korean counters, which are words used after a number to specify what you're counting.
* 개 (gae): This is the most versatile counter, used for almost any general object.
* 연필 세 개 (yeonpil se gae) – three pencils
* 명 (myeong) / 분 (bun): Used for counting people. 명 is general, while 분 is a more polite and respectful counter.
* 친구 네 명 (chingu ne myeong) – four friends
* 선생님 두 분 (seonsaengnim du bun) – two teachers (polite)
* 마리 (mari): Used specifically for counting animals.
* 강아지 한 마리 (gangaji han mari) – one puppy

Common Mistakes

  1. 1✗ Wrong: 사과 일 개 (sagwa il gae)
✓ Correct: 사과 한 개 (sagwa han gae)
*Explanation:* Sino-Korean numbers (일, 이, 삼) are not used with general counters like 개. For counting objects, you must use Native Korean numbers, and remember that 하나 changes to 한 when followed by a counter.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: 저는 스물 한 살이에요. (jeoneun seumul han sarieyo.)
✓ Correct: 저는 스물한 살이에요. (jeoneun seumulhan sarieyo.)
*Explanation:* When stating age using Native Korean numbers, the number and the counter 살 (sal) are typically treated as one unit and pronounced together without a pause. The numbers 21-99 are formed by combining the tens (스물, 서른, etc.) with the units (하나, 둘, etc.), and these also combine, e.g., 스물하나 (seumulhana) for twenty-one.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: 선생님 세 명 (seonsaengnim se myeong)
✓ Correct: 선생님 세 분 (seonsaengnim se bun)
*Explanation:* While 명 is correct for counting people generally, 분 is the polite counter specifically used when referring to people you want to show respect to, such as teachers, elders, or superiors. Using 명 for a teacher or elder can sound disrespectful.

Real Conversations

A

A

사과 몇 개 있어요? (Sagwa myeot gae isseoyo?)

(How many apples are there?)

B

B

사과 세 개 있어요. (Sagwa se gae isseoyo.)

(There are three apples.)

A

A

이 가방 얼마예요? (I gabang eolmayeyo?)

(How much is this bag?)

B

B

이만 오천 원이에요. (Iman ocheon wonieyo.)

(It's 25,000 won.)

A

A

가족이 몇 명이에요? (Gajogi myeot myeongieyo?)

(How many people are in your family?)

B

B

네 명이에요. 아버지, 어머니, 저, 그리고 남동생 한 명 있어요. (Ne myeongieyo. Abeoji, eomeoni, jeo, geurigo namdongsaeng han myeong isseoyo.)

(There are four people. My father, mother, me, and one younger brother.)

Quick FAQ

Q

How do I know when to use Sino-Korean vs. Native Korean numbers for time?

For hours, use Native Korean numbers (한 시, *han si* - one o'clock). For minutes, use Sino-Korean numbers (오 분, *o bun* - five minutes).

Q

Do all Native Korean numbers change form when used with a counter?

No, only 하나 (han), 둘 (du), 셋 (se), and 넷 (ne) change form when directly followed by a counter. Numbers from five upwards (e.g., 다섯, 여섯) do not change.

Q

What are some common situations where I *must* use Sino-Korean numbers?

You must use Sino-Korean numbers for money (e.g., 천 원, *cheon won* - 1,000 won), dates (e.g., 십이월 이십오일, *sibiwol isiboil* - December 25th), phone numbers, and minutes.

Cultural Context

In Korea, accurately using the two number systems and appropriate counters demonstrates not only your language proficiency but also cultural awareness. The distinction between 명 and 분 for people is particularly important, as using 분 for elders or those in respected positions shows proper politeness and respect, which is highly valued in Korean society. Using Native Korean for age also highlights a personal, relatable context.

Ejemplos clave (8)

1

Maekju du byeong juseyo.

Por favor, dame dos botellas de cerveza.

Números Coreanos Nativos 1-99 (Hana, Dul, Set)
2

Jeoneun seumul-daseot sarieyo.

Tengo 25 años.

Números Coreanos Nativos 1-99 (Hana, Dul, Set)
3

사과 두 개 주세요.

Por favor, dame dos manzanas.

Contador General 개 (Contar cosas)
4

이거 한 개만 살게.

Compraré solo uno de estos.

Contador General 개 (Contar cosas)
5

우리 반에 학생이 스무 명 있어요.

Hay veinte estudiantes en nuestra clase.

Contar personas: Amigos vs. Mayores (명 / 분)
6

식당에 손님이 세 분 오셨어요.

Tres clientes (respetados) han llegado al restaurante.

Contar personas: Amigos vs. Mayores (명 / 분)
7

고양이 두 마리가 거실에 있어요.

There are two cats in the living room.

Contar animales: usar 마리 (mari)
8

강아지 세 마리 키우고 싶어요.

I want to raise three puppies.

Contar animales: usar 마리 (mari)

Consejos y trucos (4)

💬

El número 4 de la mala suerte

La palabra para 4 es 사 (sa), que suena igual que 'muerte'. ¡Ojo! Muchos ascensores usan la 'F' en lugar del 4: «사 층».
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Números Sino-Coreanos: Dinero, Fechas y Minutos (일, 이, 삼)
🎯

La regla del 1-2-3-4

Solo el 1, 2, 3, 4 y el 20 cambian de forma al contar. Del 5 en adelante se quedan igualito, como en «다섯 개».
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Números Coreanos Nativos 1-99 (Hana, Dul, Set)
🎯

El comodín universal

¿Olvidaste la palabra específica para contar libros o flores? ¡Solo usa 개! Todo el mundo te entenderá perfectamente. Es como la cinta adhesiva del coreano: «꽃 한 개 주세요.»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Contador General 개 (Contar cosas)
💡

La regla de los 4 grandes

Recuerda que los números 1, 2, 3 y 4 SIEMPRE cambian su escritura antes de 명 o 분: «한 명, 두 명, 세 명, 네 명.»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Contar personas: Amigos vs. Mayores (명 / 분)

Vocabulario clave (6)

일 (il) one (Sino) 하나 (hana) one (Native) 개 (gae) unit/piece 명 (myeong) person (informal) 분 (bun) person (polite) 마리 (mari) animal unit

Real-World Preview

shopping-cart

At the Market

Review Summary

  • Number + Noun (for money/dates/mins)
  • Number + Counter (for objects/people/animals)
  • Native Number + 개
  • Native Number + 명/분
  • Native Number + 마리

Errores comunes

You used a Sino-Korean number with a counter. Always use native numbers with counters like gae.

Wrong: 삼 개 (sam gae)
Correcto: 세 개 (se gae)

When 1, 2, 3, 4, and 20 are followed by a counter, they change form (hana -> han).

Wrong: 사과 하나 개 (sagwa hana gae)
Correcto: 사과 한 개 (sagwa han gae)

Use the honorific counter 'bun' for teachers or elders to show respect.

Wrong: 선생님 두 명 (seonsaengnim du myeong)
Correcto: 선생님 두 분 (seonsaengnim du bun)

Next Steps

You've done an amazing job! Keep practicing these numbers and they will become second nature.

Count objects in your room

Continue to: Talking About Time and Schedules

Práctica rápida (10)

Rellena el espacio con el contador correcto para amigos.

제 친구가 세 ___ 있어요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 명
Usa 명 para personas en general como amigos. 분 es para mayores y 개 para objetos.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Contar personas: Amigos vs. Mayores (명 / 분)

Encuentra y corrige el error al decir la hora.

3:20 -> 삼 시 이십 분

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 세 시 이십 분
Las horas usan estrictamente números nativos (세). Los minutos usan sino-coreanos (이십).

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Números Sino-Coreanos: Dinero, Fechas y Minutos (일, 이, 삼)

Fill in the correct number form.

강아지 ___ 마리

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 한
1 becomes '한' before a counter.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Contar animales: usar 마리 (mari)

Completa el número de teléfono (010).

___일___

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 공일공
Para números de teléfono, el cero se pronuncia 공, no 영.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Números Sino-Coreanos: Dinero, Fechas y Minutos (일, 이, 삼)

Encuentra el error al contar.

Estudiantes: 'Set myeong' (3 personas)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Should be 'Se myeong'
Set (3) debe cambiar a se cuando se usa con un contador como myeong.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Números Coreanos Nativos 1-99 (Hana, Dul, Set)

Fix the mistake.

Find and fix the mistake:

사람 한 마리

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 사람 한 명
People use '명'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Contar animales: usar 마리 (mari)

¿Qué frase cuenta correctamente a dos profesores?

Elige la frase más educada y correcta:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 선생님 두 분 계세요.
Usamos 두 (el 2 nativo acortado) y 분 (contador educado) para profesores.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Contar personas: Amigos vs. Mayores (명 / 분)

Encuentra y corrige el error al contar personas.

Find and fix the mistake:

우리 가족은 하나 명이에요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 우리 가족은 한 명이에요.
El número nativo 하나 debe acortarse a 한 antes de un contador como 명.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Contar personas: Amigos vs. Mayores (명 / 분)

Rellena el espacio con la forma correcta de 'uno'.

Café ___ taza por favor. (kheopi ___ jan juseyo)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: han
Como le sigue un contador (jan), hana cambia a han.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Números Coreanos Nativos 1-99 (Hana, Dul, Set)

Rellena el espacio con el número sino-coreano correcto.

El café cuesta 3,000 wones: ___천 원

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 삼
3 es 삼 (sam). Por lo tanto, 3,000 es 삼천.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Números Sino-Coreanos: Dinero, Fechas y Minutos (일, 이, 삼)

Score: /10

Preguntas frecuentes (6)

¡Sí! Usas los nativos para contar cosas (como 'tres cafés'), pero los sino-coreanos para pagarlos: «만오천 원».
¡No! Aunque vienen del Hanja, hoy se escriben en Hangeul: «일, 이, 삼» o con números normales (1, 2, 3).
¡No! El tiempo es un sistema híbrido. Las horas usan nativos como «다섯 시», pero los minutos usan el sistema sino-coreano.
Cambiamos al sistema sino-coreano. El 100 se dice «백».
Es puramente por fluidez al hablar. Decir «하나 개» suena trabado, mientras que «한 개» fluye mucho mejor.
¡No! Eso delata que eres extranjero. Los números nativos van con contadores: «두 개».
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