Counting People: Friends vs. Elders (명 / 분)
명 (general) or 분 (polite) to sound natural and respectful.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use '명' for friends and peers, but always use the honorific '분' for elders or superiors to show respect.
- Use '명' (myeong) for friends, younger people, or casual settings: '친구 세 명' (three friends).
- Use '분' (bun) for elders, teachers, or strangers to show respect: '선생님 한 분' (one teacher).
- Always use Sino-Korean numbers (일, 이, 삼) with these counters, not native numbers (하나, 둘, 셋).
Overview
Korean, like many East Asian languages, utilizes counters (또는 classifiers) to quantify nouns. Unlike English, where numbers directly modify nouns (e.g., “three books,” “two people”), Korean requires a specific counter attached after the number. These counters not only specify quantity but also categorize the noun, often adding layers of social meaning or formality.
For counting people, Korean primarily employs two distinct counters: 명 (myeong) and 분 (bun).
Understanding 명 and 분 is fundamental for A1 learners because it introduces two crucial grammatical concepts: the use of Native Korean numbers with specific counters and the expression of honorifics or politeness levels through vocabulary. 명 serves as the general, neutral counter for individuals where no particular respect needs explicit conveyance, suitable for friends or children. Conversely, 분 is the honorific counter, reserved for individuals deserving of respect, such as elders, teachers, superiors, or customers.
Misusing these counters can lead to social awkwardness; for example, inadvertently disrespecting someone by using 명 when 분 is appropriate. Mastering this distinction ensures your communication is both grammatically correct and socially appropriate, enabling confident navigation of everyday interactions.
This system directly reflects Korea's hierarchical culture, where respect for age and status is deeply ingrained in social interactions and language. The choice between 명 and 분 acts as both a linguistic rule and a cultural indicator of your awareness and politeness. For instance, 세 명 (se myeong) translates to “three people,” often implying peers or general individuals.
In contrast, 세 분 (se bun) also means “three people,” but inherently implies “three respected individuals” or “three guests,” immediately conveying deference. Recognizing and applying this distinction elevates your Korean, allowing for nuanced and respectful communication.
How This Grammar Works
명 and 분 involves their exclusive pairing with Native Korean numbers. Korean possesses two distinct numbering systems: Native Korean numbers (e.g., 하나 [hana], 둘 [dul], 셋 [set]) and Sino-Korean numbers (e.g., 일 [il], 이 [i], 삼 [sam]). A fundamental rule for A1 learners is that 명 and 분 always combine with Native Korean numbers.두 명 (du myeong) for “two people,” not 이 명 (i myeong). Similarly, for “four respected people,” you must use 네 분 (ne bun), never 사 분 (sa bun).하나 (hana - one), 둘 (dul - two), 셋 (set - three), 넷 (net - four), and 스물 (seumul - twenty)—undergo a shortening or contraction when immediately followed by a counter. This phonetic adjustment makes pronunciation smoother and more natural. 하나 becomes 한 (han), 둘 becomes 두 (du), 셋 becomes 세 (se), 넷 (net) becomes 네 (ne), and 스물 becomes 스무 (seumu).다섯 [daseot], 열 [yeol]) retain their original form. This shortening is obligatory; failing to apply it results in awkward or grammatically incorrect phrasing. For instance, 하나 명 sounds clunky, whereas 한 명 flows naturally.명 and 분 introduces the concept of honorifics directly into your counting. 명 functions as a non-honorific or neutral counter. You use it when referring to people generally, or to individuals of equal or lower social standing.분 is an honorific counter. It applies specifically when referring to individuals of higher social standing, age, or status, or to show respect to guests or customers.학생 다섯 명 (haksaeng daseot myeong), while counting professors requires 교수님 다섯 분 (gyosunim daseot bun). The counter itself, beyond any title, conveys respect, demonstrating how Korean integrates social dynamics into its grammar.Formation Pattern
명 and 분 adheres to a consistent pattern: [Noun (optional)] + [Native Korean Number (shortened if applicable)] + [Counter (명 or 분)]. The noun being counted often omits if context clarifies it (e.g., “three people” can be just 세 명), but when specified, it always precedes the number-counter unit. The critical step involves correctly applying the Native Korean number and its essential shortening rule.
하나 | hana | 한 | han |
둘 | dul | 두 | du |
셋 | set | 세 | se |
넷 | net | 네 | ne |
스물 | seumul | 스무 | seumu |
다섯, 열, 서른) | (retain original form) | (retain original form) | (retain original form) |
명 for general or neutral situations and 분 for respectful contexts. This choice is paramount for conveying appropriate social distance.
명 and 분:
명 (General/Neutral) | Romanization | With 분 (Polite/Honorific) | Romanization |
한 명 | han myeong | 한 분 | han bun |
두 명 | du myeong | 두 분 | du bun |
세 명 | se myeong | 세 분 | se bun |
네 명 | ne myeong | 네 분 | ne bun |
다섯 명 | daseot myeong | 다섯 분 | daseot bun |
열 명 | yeol myeong | 열 분 | yeol bun |
스무 명 | seumu myeong | 스무 분 | seumu bun |
서른 명 | seoreun myeong | 서른 분 | seoreun bun |
합니다체) and casual (해체) speech:
합니다체): 저희는 세 명입니다. (Jeohuineun se myeongimnida.) – “We are three people.” (Used for a group of peers).
합니다체): 손님 네 분이 도착하셨습니다. (Sonim ne buni dochakhasyeossseumnida.) – “Four guests have arrived.” (Referring to respected individuals).
해체): 친구 두 명이랑 같이 갈 거야. (Chingu du myeongirang gachi gal geoya.) – “I’m going with two friends.”
해체): 선생님께 다섯 분이 방문하셨어. (Seonsaengnimkke daseot buni bangmunhasyeosseo.) – “Five respected individuals visited the teacher.” (Used when speaking about respected visitors to a peer).
When To Use It
명 and 분 is entirely dependent on the social context and your relationship with the people being counted. This choice subtly yet significantly conveys respect and helps maintain social harmony in Korean interactions. Incorrect usage might not gravely offend, especially from a beginner, but consistent appropriate use marks you as a thoughtful and proficient speaker.명 (myeong) in these situations:- When referring to yourself: If asked “How many people?”, and you are counting yourself, always use
명. For example,저 한 명입니다.(Jeo han myeongimnida.) – “Just one person (it’s me).” Or,저희는 두 명입니다.(Jeohuineun du myeongimnida.) – “We are two people.” Never use분for yourself; it implies self-importance, which is culturally inappropriate. - For peers, friends, or colleagues of similar status: Use
명when referring to individuals who are your equals in age or social standing. For instance,우리 반에 학생 스무 명이 있어.(Uri bane haksaeng seumu myeongi isseo.) – “There are twenty students in our class.” You could also say,친구 세 명이 영화를 보러 갔어.(Chingu se myeongi yeonghwareul boreo gasseo.) – “Three friends went to see a movie.” - For younger individuals or children: When counting people younger than you. For example,
아이 다섯 명이 놀고 있어요.(Ai daseot myeongi nolgo isseoyo.) – “Five children are playing.” - For general, anonymous individuals or large groups: In contexts where specific respect is not being emphasized, such as counting people in a crowd or reporting statistics.
콘서트에 만 오천 명이 모였다.(Konseoteue man ocheon myeongi moyeotda.) – “Fifteen thousand people gathered at the concert.” (Note: for very large numbers, Sino-Korean numbers might appear in the magnitude, but명still follows). - In neutral or informal settings: If you are unsure,
명is generally the safer, neutral choice. While it might lack desired politeness in certain situations, it is rarely offensive.
분 (bun) in these situations:- For elders and superiors: When referring to people significantly older than you, or those in positions of authority such as teachers, professors, or bosses. You would say,
교수님 세 분이 회의에 참석하셨어요.(Gyosunim se buni hoeuiye chamseokhasyeosseoyo.) – “Three professors attended the meeting.” Or,할머니 세 분이 공원에 앉아 계세요.(Halmeoni se buni gongwone anja gyeseyo.) – “Three grandmothers are sitting in the park.” - For customers, guests, and strangers in service contexts: In customer service or hospitality roles, when addressing or referring to clients, patrons, or visitors,
분is standard. This is very common in restaurants, shops, or reception areas. A server will likely ask,몇 분이세요?(Myeot buniseyo?) – “How many people are you?” (Polite question). - For highly respected individuals: When speaking of revered figures, dignitaries, or anyone you wish to show utmost respect to. For example,
존경하는 분 다섯 분을 모시고 왔습니다.(Jon-gyeonghaneun bun daseot buneul mosigo wasseumnida.) – “I have brought five respected individuals.” - In formal or polite settings: Environments demanding a high degree of politeness naturally call for
분. This demonstrates your understanding and application of높임말(nopimmal), or honorific language.
높임말 (nopimmal), or honorific language. Using 분 demonstrates your understanding of 높임말 even in simple counting. If a group includes both respected individuals and peers, and you are speaking about the group to an outsider, you might use 분 to respectfully encompass the entire group, or at least defer to the highest-ranking member present.몇 분이세요?, you might respond 두 명입니다 (referring to your party neutrally), or you might emphasize the teacher with 한 분 and 제 친구 한 명 (je chingu han myeong). The context and your relationship with the listener also play a role.Common Mistakes
명 and 분 effectively requires navigating several common pitfalls frequently encountered by new Korean learners. Being aware of these mistakes, and understanding their underlying reasons, will significantly improve your accuracy and naturalness in spoken and written Korean.- 1Using Sino-Korean Numbers Instead of Native Korean Numbers: This is arguably the most frequent error. Learners often default to Sino-Korean numbers (
일,이,삼...) because they are used for many other common counting tasks like money, dates, and minutes. However,명and분strictly require Native Korean numbers. Saying이 명(i myeong) for “two people” or사 분(sa bun) for “four respected people” is grammatically incorrect and immediately identifies you as a non-native speaker. The correct forms are두 명(du myeong) and네 분(ne bun). This mistake stems from insufficient internalization of the distinct usage domains for each number system, which forms a core concept in Korean counting.
- Incorrect:
교수님 이 분이 오셨어요.(Gyosunim i buni osyeosseoyo.) – “Two professors came.” - Correct:
교수님 두 분이 오셨어요.(Gyosunim du buni osyeosseoyo.) – “Two professors came.”
- 1Forgetting to Shorten Native Korean Numbers (
하나,둘,셋,넷,스물): The contraction of하나,둘,셋,넷, and스물to한,두,세,네, and스무respectively, when preceding a counter, is mandatory. Omitting this shortening creates an awkward, unnatural sound. For example,하나 명or셋 분might be grammatically parsed in isolation, but when spoken, they sound very unnatural, indicating a struggle with basic phonetic patterns. This shortening is a natural phonetic process designed for ease of articulation when numbers directly modify counters, making them flow smoothly together.
- Incorrect:
손님 셋 명이 기다리고 있어요.(Sonim set myeongi gidarigo isseoyo.) – “Three guests are waiting.” - Correct:
손님 세 명이 기다리고 있어요.(Sonim se myeongi gidarigo isseoyo.) – “Three guests are waiting.”
- 1Using
분for Oneself or for Inferiors/Peers:분is an honorific counter, explicitly signifying respect. Using it to count yourself (e.g.,저 한 분입니다.– “I am one respected person.”) comes across as highly arrogant and is culturally inappropriate in almost all contexts. Similarly, using분for friends, children, or subordinates is generally odd and can be perceived as sarcastic or as creating an unnecessary, formal social distance. Always use명for yourself and individuals of equal or lower status to ensure appropriate humility and social harmony.
- Incorrect:
저희는 두 분입니다.(Jeohuineun du bunimnida.) – (Said by a junior to a senior, referring to themselves and a peer) “We are two respected people.” - Correct:
저희는 두 명입니다.(Jeohuineun du myeongimnida.) – “We are two people.”
- 1Confusing
분(counter for people) with분(counter for minutes): Korean has several homonyms, and분is a prime example. The counter분(people) and the counter분(minutes) are spelled identically in Hangeul. The crucial distinction lies in the number system they pair with.분(minutes) always pairs with Sino-Korean numbers (e.g.,오 분[o bun] – “five minutes”), whereas분(people) always pairs with Native Korean numbers (e.g.,다섯 분[daseot bun] – “five respected people”). Paying attention to the number system immediately clarifies the meaning, even without explicit context.
- Example (minutes):
수업이 오 분 후에 시작해요.(Sueobi o bun hue sijakaeyo.) – “Class starts in five minutes.” - Example (people):
선생님 다섯 분이 오실 거예요.(Seonsaengnim daseot buni osil geoyeyo.) – “Five teachers will come.”
- 1Incorrect Particle Placement: When grammatical particles like
이/가(subject marker) or을/를(object marker) are required, they attach after the entire[number + counter]unit, not after the noun or number itself. This occurs because the[number + counter]unit functions as a single, cohesive quantifier for the preceding noun, acting as a unit to which the particle then adheres.
- Incorrect:
학생들이 세 명 왔어요.(Haksaengdeuri se myeong wasseoyo.) – (Particle이/가attached to학생들, not after the counter). - Correct:
학생 세 명이 왔어요.(Haksaeng se myeongi wasseoyo.) – “Three students came.” (Particle이/가attached after명).
Real Conversations
Understanding 명 and 분 grammatically is one step; observing their usage in authentic communicative contexts is another. These counters are ubiquitous in daily Korean life, influencing how you interact in various social settings.
1. At a Restaurant (식당에서): This is one of the most common scenarios for employing these counters. Waitstaff will almost invariably use 분 to show respect to customers, while customers typically use 명 for themselves and their party.
- Waiter (to customers): 몇 분이세요? (Myeot buniseyo?) – “How many people are you?” (Literally: “How many respected individuals are you?”) (Polite 해요체)
- Customer (response, formal polite): 두 명입니다. (Du myeongimnida.) – “We are two people.” (Formal 합니다체)
- Customer (alternative, casual with friends): 우리 세 명이야! (Uri se myeongiya!) – “There are three of us!” (Casual 해체)
2. Planning a Group Outing (모임 계획): When coordinating with friends or peers, 명 is the natural and appropriate choice.
- Friend A (texting): 이번 주말에 영화 볼 사람 몇 명이야? (Ibeon jumare yeonghwa bol saram myeot myeongiya?) – “How many people want to watch a movie this weekend?” (Casual 해체)
- Friend B (response): 나 포함해서 네 명! (Na pohamhaeseo ne myeong!) – “Including me, four people!” (Casual 해체)
- Friend C (group chat): 우리 여섯 명으로 확정! (Uri yeoseot myeongeuro hwakjeong!) – “Confirmed for six of us!” (Casual 해체)
3. In a Business or Academic Setting (직장/학교): When referring to superiors, clients, or respected colleagues, 분 is preferred. For peers or general staff, 명 is used.
- Employee A (to a colleague, about a client): 김 대표님 외 세 분이 방문하실 예정입니다. (Gim Daepyonim oe se buni bangmunhasil yejeongimnida.) – “CEO Kim and three other respected individuals are scheduled to visit.” (Formal 합니다체)
- Employee B (about general staff): 저희 부서에는 신입 직원 두 명이 새로 들어왔어요. (Jeohi buseoneun sinip jigwon du myeongi saero deureowasseoyo.) – “Two new staff members joined our department.” (Polite 해요체)
- Student (about professors): 오늘 교수님 네 분이 강연을 하셨어. (Oneul gyosunim ne buni gangyeoneul hasyeosseo.) – “Four professors gave lectures today.” (Casual 해체)
4. Social Media and Online Comments (SNS 및 온라인 댓글): Even in informal online communication, this distinction can appear, particularly when referring to public figures or groups.
- Commenter (referring to K-pop group members): BTS 일곱 명 다 너무 멋있어! (BTS ilgop myeong da neomu meosisseo!) – “All seven BTS members are so cool!” (명 is used here because, while famous, they are often seen as peers by young fans, and this is an informal context). (Casual 해체)
- Commenter (referring to a panel of esteemed guests): 오늘 패널로 나오신 다섯 분 모두 말씀이 좋으셨어요. (Oneul paenelleo naosin daseot bun modu malsseumi joeusyeosseoyo.) – “All five respected individuals who appeared as panelists today spoke very well.” (Polite 해요체)
These examples illustrate that the usage is not just theoretical but deeply integrated into the fabric of everyday Korean communication. Observing how native speakers employ 명 and 분 in various situations will reinforce your understanding and help you internalize the nuances of politeness and social context.
Quick FAQ
명 and 분, providing concise clarifications to solidify your understanding.명 or 분 for anything other than people?명 and 분 are exclusively used as counters for human beings. Using them for animals, objects, or abstract concepts is incorrect.마리 (mari), as in 강아지 두 마리 (gangaji du mari) for “two dogs.” For general objects, you would use 개 (gae), as in 사과 세 개 (sagwa se gae) for “three apples.” Each category of noun has its specific counter, reflecting the classificatory nature of Korean grammar.몇 (myeot) with the appropriate counter. So, 몇 명 (myeot myeong) means “how many people (general)?” and 몇 분 (myeot bun) means “how many people (respected)?” For instance, a waiter will ask 몇 분이세요? (Myeot buniseyo?) – “How many people are you?” And you might ask a friend, 파티에 몇 명 왔어? (Patie myeot myeong wasseo?) – “How many people came to the party?”[number + counter] phrase, which then functions as a quantifier for that noun. For example, 학생 세 명 (haksaeng se myeong) means “three students,” and 선생님 다섯 분 (seonsaengnim daseot bun) means “five teachers.” However, the noun is often omitted if it’s clear from context.세 명 is sufficient without explicitly stating 손님 세 명 (sonim se myeong – “three guests”).[number + counter] unit. This unit functions as a single grammatical entity within the sentence. For instance, if “three friends” is the subject, you would say 친구 세 명이 (chingu se myeongi).세 분을 (se buneul).- Subject:
학생 두 명이 도서관에 갔다.(Haksaeng du myeongi doseogwane gatda.) – “Two students went to the library.” - Topic:
저희 가족은 네 명입니다.(Jeohi gajogeun ne myeongimnida.) – “Our family consists of four people.” - Object:
선생님 세 분을 초대했어요.(Seonsaengnim se buneul chodaehaesseoyo.) – “I invited three teachers.”
사람 (saram) ever used as a counter, and how does it differ from 명?사람 can technically function as a counter, particularly for 한 사람 (han saram – “one person”). However, 명 is the more standard and dedicated counter for people. While 한 사람 is perfectly natural and often used to emphasize individuality or in contrast to groups, 명 is the general go-to.명 is almost always preferred. For example, 세 사람 is grammatically understandable but less common than 세 명 for “three people.” Think of 명 as the technical counter, and 사람 as a noun that can sometimes substitute for the [number + counter] phrase for one person, or generally refer to 'a person'.Counter Formation Table
| Number | Casual Counter | Honorific Counter |
|---|---|---|
|
1
|
한 명
|
한 분
|
|
2
|
두 명
|
두 분
|
|
3
|
세 명
|
세 분
|
|
4
|
네 명
|
네 분
|
|
5
|
다섯 명
|
다섯 분
|
|
10
|
열 명
|
열 분
|
Meanings
These are bound nouns used to count people. They indicate the social relationship between the speaker and the person being counted.
General Counter
Standard way to count people in casual or neutral contexts.
“학생 두 명”
“사람 다섯 명”
Honorific Counter
Respectful way to count people of higher status or age.
“할머니 한 분”
“사장님 두 분”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative (Casual)
|
Number + 명
|
친구 세 명
|
|
Affirmative (Formal)
|
Number + 분
|
손님 세 분
|
|
Negative
|
Number + 명/분 + 이/가 아니다
|
세 명이 아니에요
|
|
Question (Casual)
|
몇 명 + 이에요?
|
몇 명이에요?
|
|
Question (Formal)
|
몇 분 + 이세요?
|
몇 분이세요?
|
|
Plural
|
명/분 + 들
|
여러 분들
|
Formality Spectrum
몇 분이세요? (Restaurant)
몇 명이에요? (Restaurant)
몇 명이야? (Restaurant)
몇 명? (Restaurant)
Counter Selection Logic
Status
- Friend/Peer Use 명
- Elder/Superior Use 분
Examples by Level
친구 한 명 있어요.
I have one friend.
학생 두 명이에요.
There are two students.
선생님 한 분이에요.
There is one teacher.
몇 명이에요?
How many people?
우리 가족은 네 명입니다.
My family has four people.
손님 세 분이 오셨어요.
Three guests have arrived.
동료 두 명이랑 밥 먹어요.
I am eating with two colleagues.
할머니 한 분이 계세요.
There is one grandmother.
회의에 참석한 분은 다섯 분입니다.
There are five people who attended the meeting.
친구들 몇 명이랑 여행 가요.
I am going on a trip with a few friends.
사장님 두 분을 만났어요.
I met two CEOs.
여기에 계신 분들은 모두 전문가입니다.
The people here are all experts.
저희는 세 분이서 식사할 예정입니다.
We are planning to dine as three people.
수업을 듣는 학생은 총 열 명입니다.
There are ten students taking the class in total.
그분들은 저의 은사님들입니다.
Those people are my mentors.
몇 명의 지원자가 합격했나요?
How many applicants passed?
귀빈 세 분을 모시고 행사를 진행합니다.
We are hosting the event with three VIPs.
이번 프로젝트에 참여한 인원은 총 스무 명입니다.
The total number of people participating in this project is twenty.
어르신 두 분께서 길을 잃으셨어요.
Two elders have lost their way.
많은 분의 도움으로 성공했습니다.
It was successful thanks to the help of many people.
저명한 학자 세 분을 초빙하였습니다.
We have invited three renowned scholars.
수십 명의 관객이 공연을 관람했습니다.
Dozens of audience members watched the performance.
그분들의 고귀한 희생을 잊지 않겠습니다.
We will not forget their noble sacrifices.
몇 분이나 참석하실지 확인 부탁드립니다.
Please confirm how many people will attend.
Easily Confused
Learners use '개' for people.
Learners use '마리' for people.
Using '명' for elders.
Common Mistakes
하나 명
한 명
선생님 두 명
선생님 두 분
몇 개 사람?
몇 명?
세 명이에요 (to a boss)
세 분이에요
할머니 세 명
할머니 세 분
두 분이 있어요
두 분이 계세요
사람 세 분
세 분
손님들 세 명
손님 세 분
몇 명입니까? (to a client)
몇 분이십니까?
친구 세 분
친구 세 명
많은 명의 사람들
많은 분들
Sentence Patterns
저는 ___ 명의 친구가 있어요.
식당에 ___ 분이 오셨어요.
우리 가족은 총 ___ 명이에요.
회의에 참석한 분은 ___ 분입니다.
Real World Usage
몇 분이세요?
친구 세 명이랑 놀아.
면접관 세 분이 계셨습니다.
두 명 예약할게요.
많은 분들이 좋아해주셨어요.
세 명분 주문할게요.
The 'Big 4' Rule
명 or 분. 하나→한, 둘→두, 셋→세, 넷→네.Don't Humble-Brag
분 to count yourself or your own family when talking to others. It sounds like you are calling yourself 'His/Her Majesty'.Restaurant Manners
분. It's polite for you to answer using 명 to stay humble.Smart Tips
Use '분' to show respect to the staff.
Always use '분'.
Use '분' for all people mentioned.
Use '명' for siblings, '분' for grandparents.
Pronunciation
Liaison
The 'ng' sound in '명' links to the next vowel.
Question
몇 분이세요? ↑
Rising intonation for polite questions.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Remember '분' (bun) sounds like 'bun' (a soft bread), and you give the best buns to your elders!
Visual Association
Imagine a group of friends standing casually (명) and a group of elders sitting formally on chairs (분).
Rhyme
For friends use 명, for elders use 분, counting people is fun!
Story
I went to a cafe with my friend. I told the waiter '두 명이에요' (two people). Then my teacher arrived. I quickly corrected myself and said '아니요, 세 분이에요' (No, three people).
Word Web
Challenge
Count the people in your room right now using both counters.
Cultural Notes
Respect for age is paramount. Using '분' is a sign of maturity.
In meetings, always use '분' for clients.
Among close friends, '명' is preferred to maintain intimacy.
Both are Sino-Korean roots.
Conversation Starters
오늘 몇 명이랑 만나요?
식당에 몇 분이 가세요?
가족이 몇 명이에요?
선생님은 몇 분이 계세요?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
친구 세 ___.
선생님 두 ___.
Find and fix the mistake:
할머니 세 명.
명 / 세 / 친구 / 있어요
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
1 person (casual)
몇 ___이세요?
Find and fix the mistake:
사장님 한 명.
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises친구 세 ___.
선생님 두 ___.
Find and fix the mistake:
할머니 세 명.
명 / 세 / 친구 / 있어요
Friend vs Teacher
1 person (casual)
몇 ___이세요?
Find and fix the mistake:
사장님 한 명.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercises손님, 몇 ___ 이세요?
삼 명이 왔어요.
있어요 / 네 / 학생이 / 명
Two people
Match the items:
5 people (Polite):
친구 ___ 명이 놀아요.
스물 명의 학생.
명 / 몇 / 있어요 / ?
One person (Polite)
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
No, that is very rude. Always use '분'.
Use '분' to be safe and polite.
There are some specific ones like '인분' for food portions, but '명' and '분' are the standard.
No, always use Sino-Korean numbers (일, 이, 삼).
Yes, it is strictly for humans.
Numbers 1-4 change when used with counters.
No, never use honorifics for yourself.
Only if you are being intentionally rude or very casual, which is not recommended.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
personas
Korean requires a specific counter.
personnes
Korean requires a specific counter.
Personen
Korean requires a specific counter.
人 (nin)
Korean has a distinct honorific counter.
ashkhas
Korean uses bound counters.
位 (wei)
Korean '분' is more strictly used.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Related Grammar Rules
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