Counting Animals: Use 마리 (mari)
마리 with Native Korean numbers to count any living creature that isn't human.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use '마리' (mari) after the number to count animals in Korean.
- Use native Korean numbers (하나, 둘, 셋) before '마리'.
- Drop the final vowel of numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, and 20 when adding '마리'.
- Place the counter directly after the number: [Number] + [마리].
Overview
Korean, unlike English, rarely counts items with numbers standing alone. Instead, numbers are almost invariably paired with counters (sometimes called classifiers or numeral auxiliaries). These counters categorize the noun being counted, adding specificity and making your speech sound natural.
Omitting or misusing a counter can lead to ambiguity or awkwardness, akin to saying "three of cat" instead of "three cats" in English.
For quantifying living non-human animals, the dedicated and universally applied counter is 마리 (mari). This counter functions broadly, encompassing creatures from the smallest insect to the largest mammal. For instance, you would say 개미 한 마리 (gaemi han mari) for "one ant" and 고래 한 마리 (gorae han mari) for "one whale." Mastering 마리 is fundamental for accurately and idiomatically expressing quantities of animals in Korean, significantly enhancing your communicative precision.
The existence of counters like 마리 reflects a core linguistic principle in Korean: nouns are often categorized implicitly or explicitly. While English uses grammatical pluralization for count nouns, Korean uses specialized counters that provide a more granular classification, deeply embedded in its grammatical structure. This system isn't just about counting; it's about how the language perceives and organizes the world, making the correct use of counters a gateway to thinking more like a native speaker.
How This Grammar Works
마리 follows a consistent grammatical pattern: you first state the animal noun, then the quantity using a Native Korean number, and finally, the counter 마리. The basic structure is [Noun] + [Native Korean Number] + 마리. For example, 고양이 두 마리 (goyangi du mari) means "two cats."goyueo susa) and Sino-Korean numbers (한자어 수사 | hanja-eo susa). Native Korean numbers are indigenous to the language and are primarily used for counting items up to 99, expressing age, and, critically, for combining with most native Korean counters like 마리. In contrast, Sino-Korean numbers are derived from Chinese and are used for larger numbers, money, dates, addresses, minutes, and general measurements.마리 exclusively with Native Korean numbers is not arbitrary; it stems from the historical and morphological development of the language, where 마리 itself is a native Korean word.마리 (e.g., 일 마리 | il mari instead of 한 마리 | han mari for "one animal") constitutes a grammatical error. It creates a linguistic mismatch that sounds unnatural and incorrect to native speakers, much like conjugating an English verb with Spanish grammatical rules. This fundamental distinction must be internalized early in your learning journey.하나 (one), 둘 (two), 셋 (three), 넷 (four), and 스물 (twenty) undergo a phonetic transformation, dropping their final syllable when immediately followed by a counter. This modification, which facilitates smoother and more natural pronunciation, is a consistent feature across many Native Korean counters.하나 마리; it always becomes 한 마리 (han mari). Similarly, 둘 마리 becomes 두 마리 (du mari), 셋 마리 becomes 세 마리 (se mari), 넷 마리 becomes 네 마리 (ne mari), and 스물 마리 becomes 스무 마리 (seumu mari). This transformation is a non-negotiable rule for correct usage.[Number] + 마리 phrase, particles are often attached to mark its grammatical function within a sentence. For instance, in 저는 강아지 두 마리를 키워요. (Jeoneun gang-aji du mari-reul kiwoyo.) – "I raise two puppies" (polite informal), the object marker 를 (reul) is attached to the entire counting unit 두 마리. Similarly, if it were the subject, you might see 고양이 한 마리가 자고 있어요. (Goyangi han mari-ga jago isseoyo.) – "One cat is sleeping" (polite informal), with 가 (ga) as the subject marker.Formation Pattern
마리 involves a precise sequence and attention to number transformations. The general and consistent formula is: [Noun (Animal)] + [Native Korean Number (transformed if necessary)] + 마리.
사자 (lion), 새 (bird), or 뱀 (snake). Second, determine the numerical quantity. Then, select the appropriate Native Korean number. The crucial step is to apply the phonetic truncation for the specific numbers listed below. For all other Native Korean numbers (i.e., 다섯 | daseot for five, 여덟 | yeodeol for eight, 열아홉 | yeorahop for nineteen, 서른 | seoreun for thirty, 아흔아홉 | aheun-ahop for ninety-nine), they retain their original form before 마리.
마리 (Romanization) | Translation |
하나 (hana) | 한 (han) | 한 마리 (han mari) | One animal |
둘 (dul) | 두 (du) | 두 마리 (du mari) | Two animals |
셋 (set) | 세 (se) | 세 마리 (se mari) | Three animals |
넷 (net) | 네 (ne) | 네 마리 (ne mari) | Four animals |
스물 (seumul) | 스무 (seumu) | 스무 마리 (seumu mari) | Twenty animals|
스무, 서른, 마흔) with a units-place Native Korean number. The units-place number also undergoes transformation if it is 하나, 둘, 셋, or 넷. For example, for twenty-one animals, you combine 스무 (twenty) and 한 (one) to form 스물한 마리 (seumulhan mari). For thirty-five animals, it becomes 서른다섯 마리 (seoreundaseot mari), as 다섯 does not transform. This principle consistently applies up to ninety-nine.
고양이 한 마리 (goyangi han mari) – "one cat"
강아지 두 마리 (gang-aji du mari) – "two puppies"
새 세 마리 (sae se mari) – "three birds"
물고기 네 마리 (mulgogi ne mari) – "four fish"
소 다섯 마리 (so daseot mari) – "five cows"
돼지 열 마리 (dwaeji yeol mari) – "ten pigs"
토끼 스무 마리 (tokki seumu mari) – "twenty rabbits"
호랑이 스물두 마리 (horang-i seumul-du mari) – "twenty-two tigers"
한, 두, 세, 네, and 스무 when counting with 마리. This is a fundamental aspect of natural and correct Korean counting.
When To Use It
마리 is the universally accepted counter for all living non-human animals. This broad application means you will use 마리 in nearly every context where you quantify animals, making it one of the most frequently encountered counters in daily Korean life. Its use is not restricted by size, type, or perceived value of the animal.마리:- Pets: When discussing your own pets or inquiring about others',
마리is standard. This is a very common everyday use. 저희 집에는 고양이가 세 마리 있습니다.(Jeohui jibeneun goyang-i-ga se mari itseumnida.) – "There are three cats at my house." (Formal polite)강아지 한 마리 키우세요?(Gang-aji han mari kiuseyo?) – "Are you raising one dog?" (Polite informal)우리 집 토끼는 두 마리 다 정말 귀여워요.(Uri jip tokki-neun du mari da jeongmal gwiyeowoyo.) – "Both of our rabbits are really cute." (Polite informal)
- Wild Animals & Zoo Animals: Whether observing animals in their natural habitat, in documentaries, or at a zoo,
마리is always employed. 공원에서 오리 다섯 마리를 봤어요.(Gong-woneseo ori daseot mari-reul bwasseoyo.) – "I saw five ducks in the park." (Polite informal)사파리에 기린 네 마리가 풀을 뜯고 있습니다.(Sapari-e girin ne mari-ga pur-eul tteutgo itseumnida.) – "Four giraffes are grazing in the safari." (Formal polite)동물원에 코끼리가 몇 마리 있어요?(Dongmur-wone kokkiriga myeot mari isseoyo?) – "How many elephants are in the zoo?" (Polite informal)
- Farm Animals & Livestock: For counting animals on a farm, whether for agricultural purposes or during a visit.
이 농장에는 닭이 백 마리 있습니다.(I nongjang-eneun dalg-i baek mari itseumnida.) – "There are one hundred chickens on this farm." (Formal polite)젖소 열다섯 마리가 초원에서 풀을 먹어요.(Jeotso yeoldaseot mari-ga chowon-eseo pur-eul meogeoyo.) – "Fifteen dairy cows are eating grass in the meadow." (Polite informal)양 스물세 마리를 오늘 이사시켰어요.(Yang seumul-se mari-reul oneul isasikyeosseoyo.) – "I moved twenty-three sheep today." (Polite informal)
- Fish & Seafood (Live): When acquiring live seafood at a market or describing fish in an aquarium,
마리is appropriate. 활어 코너에서 전복 여섯 마리 주세요.(Hwaleo koneo-eseo jeonbok yeoseot mari juseyo.) – "Please give me six live abalones from the live seafood section." (Polite request)수족관에 열대어 수십 마리가 헤엄치고 있어요.(Sujokgwan-e yeoldaeeo susip mari-ga he-eomchigo isseoyo.) – "Dozens of tropical fish are swimming in the aquarium." (Polite informal)이 어항에는 금붕어가 두 마리 살아요.(I eohang-eneun geumbung-eoga du mari sarayo.) – "Two goldfish live in this tank." (Polite informal)
- Insects & Other Small Creatures: Even the smallest organisms, provided they are living animals, are counted with
마리. 모기 한 마리가 제 방으로 들어왔습니다.(Mogi han mari-ga je bang-euro deureowasseumnida.) – "One mosquito entered my room." (Formal polite)거미 여덟 마리가 천장에 있었습니다.(Geomi yeodeol mari-ga cheonjang-e isseotseumnida.) – "Eight spiders were on the ceiling." (Formal polite)밤에 반딧불이 여러 마리를 봤어요.(Bam-e banditburi yeoreo mari-reul bwasseoyo.) – "I saw several fireflies at night." (Polite informal)
마리 is its exclusive application to non-human animals. It is never used for counting human beings. For people, 명 (myeong) is the standard counter, and 분 (bun) is its honorific equivalent for elders or those of higher status.마리 for a person is a severe social error, implying a disrespectful dehumanization. This clear distinction highlights the Korean language's emphasis on social hierarchy and the specific categorization of living beings.Common Mistakes
마리. Recognizing and actively correcting these common errors is paramount for achieving accurate and natural Korean speech.- Using Sino-Korean Numbers Instead of Native Korean Numbers: This is arguably the most common and persistent error among learners. The failure to consistently distinguish between the two number systems and their appropriate contexts directly leads to this mistake. For
마리, only Native Korean numbers are grammatically correct. - Incorrect:
일 마리(il mari),이 마리(i mari),*삼 마리(sam mari) - Correct:
한 마리(han mari),두 마리(du mari),세 마리(se mari) - Why it's wrong:
마리is a native Korean counter. It naturally pairs with the indigenous Native Korean number system. Sino-Korean numbers belong to a separate linguistic stratum, primarily used with Sino-Korean counters or for specific quantitative expressions (like money, dates, or addresses). This mismatch creates a jarring and ungrammatical construction.
- Failing to Transform Numbers
하나,둘,셋,넷,스물: As detailed in the formation pattern, these five numbers must undergo truncation, shedding their final syllable when preceding마리(and most other Native Korean counters). Overlooking this phonetic adjustment is a clear indicator of a learner and impedes fluency. - Incorrect:
하나 마리(hana mari),둘 마리(dul mari),셋 마리(set mari),넷 마리(net mari),*스물 마리(seumul mari) - Correct:
한 마리(han mari),두 마리(du mari),세 마리(se mari),네 마리(ne mari),스무 마리(seumu mari) - Why it's wrong: This truncation is a fundamental phonological rule in Korean, designed to create smoother transitions between numbers and counters. It's not optional; it's an inherent part of how these specific numbers are pronounced in this grammatical context. Ignoring it results in awkward and incorrect pronunciation.
- Incorrect Word Order: Some learners, influenced by English adjective-noun structures, might erroneously place the number-counter phrase before the animal noun.
- Incorrect:
*한 마리 고양이(han mari goyangi) - Correct:
고양이 한 마리(goyangi han mari) – "one cat" - Why it's wrong: In Korean, the noun being counted typically precedes the counting phrase (
[Number] + [Counter]). The counting phrase functions as a post-modifier, specifying the quantity of the already introduced noun. The incorrect order violates the standard Korean sentence structure for quantification.
- Misapplying
마리to Non-Animal Contexts or Inappropriate Animal Contexts: Understanding the precise scope of마리is vital. - For meat (not live animals):
마리is generally not used for meat products that have been cut, processed, or are no longer a whole, living animal. If you are ordering pork cuts at a restaurant, you would specify quantities by weight (그램|geuraem,킬로그램|killogeuraem), by serving (인분|inbun), or by piece (조각|jogak). - Incorrect (for pork meat):
*돼지고기 세 마리 주세요.(Dwaejigogi se mari juseyo.) - Correct (for servings of pork):
돼지고기 삼인분 주세요.(Dwaejigogi sam inbun juseyo.) – "Please give me three servings of pork." - The "Whole Chicken" Exception: A notable and often confusing exception is
치킨 한 마리(chikin han mari) for a whole roasted or fried chicken. In this specific case,마리is used because the chicken is presented and conceptually purchased as a whole animal, even though it is prepared for consumption. This highlights that for마리, the integrity of the animal's form (whole, not butchered) can sometimes override the "living" aspect in certain cultural contexts. However, if you order chicken pieces, you would use조각(jogak). For example,닭다리 두 조각(dakdari du jogak) for "two chicken legs." - Stuffed Animals/Toys: For inanimate representations of animals, such as plush toys or figurines, the general counter
개(gae) is typically used, as they are considered objects. 곰 인형 한 개(gom inhyung han gae) – "one teddy bear"- Why it's wrong: Using
마리for a toy animal can sound childish or anthropomorphic, as it implies the object is a living creature.개is the appropriate default counter for such inanimate items.
- Confusing with Counters for Humans (
명,분) or General Objects (개): As mentioned, using마리for people is highly offensive. Similarly, using개for living animals is inappropriate, as it treats them as mere objects rather than living beings. Understanding and respecting these distinctions is crucial for appropriate social interaction and accurate communication in Korean.
Real Conversations
Observing 마리 in authentic conversational contexts illuminates its practical application and nuance. These examples illustrate how native speakers integrate the counter naturally, encompassing various politeness levels and sentence structures.
1. Discussing Pets in a Casual Setting (해체 - 어요/아요)
- 친구 A: 너 강아지 몇 마리 키워? (Neo gang-aji myeot mari kiwo?)
- Translation: "How many dogs do you raise?"
- 친구 B: 나? 난 강아지 두 마리 키워. 완전 귀여워! (Na? Nan gang-aji du mari kiwo. Wanjeon gwiyeowo!)
- Translation: "Me? I raise two dogs. They’re super cute!"
2. At the Aquarium (해체 - 어요/아요)
- 어머니: 지호야, 저기 물고기 세 마리가 어디로 갔을까? (Jihoya, jeogi mulgogi se mari-ga eodiro gasseulkka?)
- Translation: "Jiho, where did those three fish go?"
- 지호 (아이): 엄마! 저기 네 마리가 헤엄치고 있어요! (Eomma! Jeogi ne mari-ga he-eomchigo isseoyo!)
- Translation: "Mom! Four fish are swimming over there!"
3. Observing Wildlife in a Formal Context (합니다체 - 습니다/ㅂ니다)
- 가이드: 여러분, 저 산 너머에 곰 한 마리가 출몰한다는 보고가 있었습니다. (Yeoreobun, jeo san neomeo-e gom han mari-ga chulmorhandaneun bogoga isseotseumnida.)
- Translation: "Everyone, there was a report that one bear appeared beyond that mountain."
- 참가자: 네? 그럼 조심해야겠네요. (Ne? Geureom josimhaeyagetneyo.)
- Translation: "Really? Then we should be careful."
4. Ordering Live Seafood at a Market (해체 - 세요)
- 손님: 사장님, 문어 한 마리 얼마예요? (Sajangnim, muneo han mari eolmayeyo?)
- Translation: "Boss, how much is one octopus?" (Implies live octopus)
- 사장님: 싱싱한 문어 한 마리에 2만원입니다. (Singsinghan muneo han mari-e i-man-wonimnida.)
- Translation: "One fresh octopus is 20,000 won."
These dialogues demonstrate the natural integration of 마리 within sentences. Notice how the number transformations (두, 세, 네, 한) are automatically applied, and particles like 가 (subject marker) or 에 (location marker) attach to the entire counting phrase ([Number] + 마리) rather than just 마리 itself. This structure is consistent across various communicative situations.
Quick FAQ
마리, providing a deeper understanding and reinforcing key concepts.- Q: Can
마리be used for insects, worms, or very small creatures? - A: Yes, absolutely.
마리applies to virtually any living non-human animal, irrespective of its size, species, or classification. Whether you're counting a tiny ant (개미 한 마리|gaemi han mari), a mosquito (모기 한 마리|mogi han mari), a worm (지렁이 한 마리|jireong-i han mari), or a spider (거미 아홉 마리|geomi ahop mari),마리is the correct and only natural counter to use.
- Q: What about mythical or imaginary animals, like dragons or phoenixes?
- A: Yes,
마리is still used. When discussing fantastical creatures within stories, folklore, or games, they are conceptually treated as animals. Therefore,용 한 마리(yong han mari) for "one dragon" or봉황 두 마리(bonghwang du mari) for "two phoenixes" is perfectly natural and correct. The counter follows the conceptualization of the creature as an animal.
- Q: Do I always need to use a particle after the
[Number] + 마리phrase? - A: Not strictly always, but frequently. When the counted animal phrase functions as a grammatical subject or object in a sentence, particles like
이/가(subject marker) or을/를(object marker) are typically appended to the entire[Number] + 마리unit. For example:강아지 두 마리가 짖어요.(Gang-aji du mari-ga jijeoyo.) – "Two puppies are barking." Here,가marks the phrase as the subject. Alternatively:저는 고양이 세 마리를 좋아해요.(Jeoneun goyang-i se mari-reul joahaeyo.) – "I like three cats." Here,를marks the phrase as the object. - However, in very casual speech, simple answers to "how many?" questions, or in lists, particles might be omitted for brevity. For instance, if someone asks
개가 몇 마리 있어요?(Gae-ga myeot mari isseoyo?) – "How many dogs do you have?", a simple한 마리요.(Han mari-yo.) – "One (animal)." (with the polite suffix요) is a complete and natural response without an additional particle.
- Q: How do I ask "How many animals?"
- A: To inquire about the quantity of animals, you use the interrogative pronoun
몇(myeot), which translates to "how many." You combine it directly with마리to form몇 마리?(myeot mari?). 집에 강아지가 몇 마리 있어요?(Jib-e gang-aji-ga myeot mari isseoyo?) – "How many dogs do you have at home?" (Polite informal)사파리에는 사자가 몇 마리 살고 있습니까?(Sapari-e-neun sajaga myeot mari salgo itseumnikka?) – "How many lions live in the safari?" (Formal polite)
- Q: If an animal is no longer living, should I still use
마리? - A: This depends heavily on context. If you are referring to an animal that has passed away, in a descriptive or memorial context (e.g., your deceased pet), you might still use
마리to identify them, conceptually referring to them as the distinct living beings they once were. For example,우리 집 고양이 세 마리 중에 두 마리는 무지개다리를 건넜어요.(Uri jip goyang-i se mari jung-e du mari-neun mujigaedarireul geonneosseoyo.) – "Among our three cats, two have crossed the rainbow bridge." (polite informal) - However, if the animal has been prepared for consumption and is no longer whole (e.g., butchered meat),
마리is generally not used. As discussed in "Common Mistakes," you would then typically refer to it by weight (그램), serving (인분), or piece (조각). The key distinction lies in whether the item is perceived as a whole animal (even if prepared, like a whole roast chicken) or as a processed product.
- Q: Does
마리have any other meanings or uses? - A: While its primary and overwhelmingly common function as a counter is for non-human animals,
마리can have very limited, less frequent secondary meanings, such as referring to the "head" of certain plants (like a마늘 한 마리|maneul han marifor "one head of garlic," though통|tongis more common for this) or historically, the "head" of a nail. However, for A1 learners, focusing exclusively on its use as an animal counter is sufficient and highly recommended. These other uses are rare or have more common alternative counters. Stick to animals to avoid unnecessary confusion at this stage of learning.
Native Korean Number + 마리
| Number | Korean | With 마리 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1
|
하나
|
한 마리
|
Vowel drop
|
|
2
|
둘
|
두 마리
|
Vowel drop
|
|
3
|
셋
|
세 마리
|
Vowel drop
|
|
4
|
넷
|
네 마리
|
Vowel drop
|
|
5
|
다섯
|
다섯 마리
|
-
|
|
10
|
열
|
열 마리
|
-
|
|
20
|
스물
|
스무 마리
|
Vowel drop
|
Meanings
The counter '마리' is used exclusively for counting animals, birds, and fish in Korean.
Animal counting
Used to quantify living creatures (excluding humans).
“고양이 두 마리”
“새 세 마리”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Noun + Number + 마리 + 있다
|
강아지 한 마리 있어요
|
|
Negative
|
Noun + Number + 마리 + 없다
|
강아지 한 마리 없어요
|
|
Question
|
Noun + 몇 마리 + 있다/없다?
|
강아지 몇 마리 있어요?
|
|
Counting
|
Noun + Number + 마리
|
고양이 두 마리
|
|
Plural
|
Noun + 들 + Number + 마리
|
고양이들 두 마리
|
Formality Spectrum
강아지가 한 마리 있습니다. (Talking about pets)
강아지가 한 마리 있어요. (Talking about pets)
강아지 한 마리 있어. (Talking about pets)
강아지 한 마리 있네. (Talking about pets)
Korean Counters Map
Animals
- 마리 mari
People
- 명 myeong
Objects
- 개 gae
Animals using 마리
Pets
- • 강아지
- • 고양이
Farm
- • 소
- • 말
- • 닭
Wild
- • 호랑이
- • 사자
Examples by Level
강아지 한 마리
One puppy
고양이 두 마리
Two cats
새 세 마리
Three birds
물고기 네 마리
Four fish
토끼 다섯 마리가 있어요.
There are five rabbits.
말 여섯 마리를 봤어요.
I saw six horses.
소 일곱 마리가 있나요?
Are there seven cows?
개 여덟 마리는 너무 많아요.
Eight dogs is too many.
어제 동물원에서 원숭이 아홉 마리를 관찰했습니다.
I observed nine monkeys at the zoo yesterday.
우리 집에는 강아지 열 마리가 살고 있어요.
Ten puppies live in my house.
고양이를 스무 마리나 키우는 사람이 있어요?
Is there someone who raises twenty cats?
닭 백 마리를 주문했습니다.
I ordered one hundred chickens.
멸종 위기종인 호랑이가 세 마리밖에 남지 않았습니다.
Only three tigers of the endangered species remain.
그 농장에서는 양을 오십 마리 정도 사육합니다.
That farm raises about fifty sheep.
수족관에 돌고래가 몇 마리 있습니까?
How many dolphins are in the aquarium?
그는 나비 백 마리를 채집했습니다.
He collected one hundred butterflies.
이 지역에는 야생 멧돼지가 수백 마리 서식하는 것으로 추정됩니다.
It is estimated that hundreds of wild boars inhabit this area.
그는 수천 마리의 벌을 관리하는 양봉가입니다.
He is a beekeeper who manages thousands of bees.
어항 속에 금붕어 한 마리가 외롭게 헤엄치고 있습니다.
One goldfish is swimming lonely in the fishbowl.
사자 무리는 보통 열 마리 내외로 구성됩니다.
A lion pride usually consists of around ten members.
그는 수만 마리의 철새가 이동하는 장관을 목격했습니다.
He witnessed the spectacular sight of tens of thousands of migratory birds moving.
생태계 복원을 위해 연어 치어 만 마리를 방류했습니다.
Ten thousand salmon fry were released for ecosystem restoration.
그의 연구는 수백만 마리의 개미 군집 행동을 분석합니다.
His research analyzes the collective behavior of millions of ants.
한 마리의 나비 날갯짓이 태풍을 일으킬 수 있다는 이론이 있습니다.
There is a theory that the flapping of one butterfly's wings can cause a typhoon.
Easily Confused
Learners mix up animal and human counters.
Learners use '개' for everything.
Using '일' instead of '한'.
Common Mistakes
하나 마리
한 마리
둘 마리
두 마리
셋 마리
세 마리
넷 마리
네 마리
일 마리
한 마리
강아지 한 개
강아지 한 마리
사람 한 마리
사람 한 명
스물 마리
스무 마리
고양이들 한 마리
고양이 한 마리
마리 한
한 마리
마리 수
마리
마리들
마리
마리이
마리
Sentence Patterns
우리 집에 ___ 마리가 있어요.
동물원에 ___ 마리의 원숭이가 있어요.
___ 마리의 새가 하늘을 날아요.
그는 ___ 마리의 강아지를 구조했습니다.
Real World Usage
강아지 한 마리 주세요.
호랑이가 세 마리 있네요.
우리 고양이 두 마리 됨! 😺
농장에서 소 오십 마리를 관리했습니다.
말을 몇 마리 탈 수 있어요?
닭 한 마리 주문.
Vowel Drop
No People
Native Numbers
Respect
Smart Tips
Always check if the number is 1, 2, 3, 4, or 20.
Use '마리' to show you care about the animal.
Use '몇 마리' to ask how many.
Ensure the number is written in native Korean.
Pronunciation
Vowel drop
Pronounce '한' (han) not '하나' (hana) before '마리'.
Statement
한 마리예요. ↘
Falling intonation for facts.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Mari' as 'Many-animals' to remember it's for creatures.
Visual Association
Imagine a 'Mari'achi band made entirely of animals playing instruments.
Rhyme
One, two, three, four, drop the vowel, add 'mari' to the door.
Story
I went to the farm. I saw one horse (한 마리). Then I saw two cows (두 마리). Finally, I saw three sheep (세 마리).
Word Web
Challenge
Look around your room or outside and count every animal you see using '마리'.
Cultural Notes
Using the correct counter shows respect for the language structure.
Farmers use '마리' for livestock specifically.
Used frequently for pets in city apartments.
The word '마리' is a native Korean noun used as a classifier.
Conversation Starters
집에 강아지가 몇 마리 있어요?
동물원에서 어떤 동물을 제일 좋아해요?
고양이를 몇 마리까지 키울 수 있을까요?
멸종 위기 동물을 보호하기 위해 몇 마리 정도가 필요할까요?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
강아지 ___ 마리
고양이 두 ___
Find and fix the mistake:
사람 한 마리
마리 / 세 / 새 / 있어요
20 + 마리
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Can I use '마리' for a table?
A: 강아지 몇 마리 있어요? B: ___
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises강아지 ___ 마리
고양이 두 ___
Find and fix the mistake:
사람 한 마리
마리 / 세 / 새 / 있어요
20 + 마리
1 -> ?
Can I use '마리' for a table?
A: 강아지 몇 마리 있어요? B: ___
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercises있어요 / 마리 / 세 / 새 / 가
How do you say 'five fish'?
Match the items:
Which one is correct?
토끼 ___ 마리
사자 일 마리가 있어요.
사자 두 마리를 봤어요.
새 ___ 마리
Ordering fried chicken:
있어요 / 한 / 고양이 / 마리 / 가
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
Yes, '마리' is used for all animals, including insects.
You can use '몇 마리' to ask 'how many'.
Yes, it is the standard counter for fish.
It's a standard contraction rule for native Korean numbers before counters.
It is considered very rude and dehumanizing.
No, '마리' is invariant.
Yes, it is used for birds as well.
Some very formal contexts might use different counters, but '마리' is always correct.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
匹 (hiki)
Korean '마리' is used for all animals, whereas Japanese has different counters for large animals.
只 (zhī)
Chinese classifiers are more varied based on animal shape.
Stück
German is not a classifier-heavy language.
cabeza
Spanish does not use classifiers for general counting.
tête
French lacks a universal animal classifier.
رأس (ra's)
Arabic uses it primarily for livestock.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Related Grammar Rules
Duration Particle: 동안 (For/During)
Overview When you need to express the **duration** of an action, state, or event in Korean, the dependent noun `동안` (d...
Native Korean Numbers 1-99 (Hana, Dul, Set)
Overview Korean possesses a fascinating linguistic feature: two distinct numerical systems, **Native Korean numbers** an...
Telling Time: Native Hours & Sino Minutes
Overview Learning Korean often requires you to navigate two distinct number systems: **Native Korean numbers** (`고유어...
Today, Yesterday, Tomorrow (오늘, 어제, 내일)
Overview Understanding how to correctly use `오늘` (o-neul, today), `어제` (eo-je, yesterday), and `내일` (nae-il, tomor...
General Counter 개 (Counting Things)
Overview Korean, unlike English, employs a system of **counters** (수량사, `suryangsa`) to quantify nouns. This system r...
