Native Korean Numbers 1-99 (Hana, Dul, Set)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Native Korean numbers are used for counting items and telling the hour, unlike the Sino-Korean system used for dates and money.
- Use native numbers for counting objects (e.g., 'three apples').
- Use native numbers for telling the hour (e.g., 'two o'clock').
- Numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, and 20 change their form when attached to a counter.
Overview
Korean possesses a fascinating linguistic feature: two distinct numerical systems, Native Korean numbers and Sino-Korean numbers. This duality is not arbitrary; it stems from the historical evolution of the language. Native Korean numbers are indigenous, developed within the Korean peninsula to count discrete, tangible items.
They reflect an older, more concrete way of quantifying the world around you. Sino-Korean numbers, conversely, were adopted from Chinese and are primarily used for abstract concepts, mathematical operations, dates, money, and larger quantities. Understanding this fundamental distinction is your first step to mastering Korean numbers.
This article specifically addresses the Native Korean numbers from 1 to 99. These are indispensable for expressing age, indicating hours on a clock, and counting individual items. For a beginner at the A1 CEFR level, proficiency in this range is absolutely crucial.
While Sino-Korean numbers eventually take over for quantities of 100 and above, the Native Korean system establishes a bedrock for everyday communication. You will encounter these numbers constantly in daily interactions, making their precise application a cornerstone of conversational fluency.
How This Grammar Works
두 (two) for two apples; you say 사과 두 개 (sagwa du gae), using the general counter 개 (gae) for items. The grammatical structure you will primarily use is [Native Korean Number] + [Counter] + [Noun (optional)].하나 (one), 둘 (two), 셋 (three), 넷 (four)) and the number for twenty (스물) undergo a mandatory phonetic change when immediately followed by a counter. This is not an option or a stylistic choice; it is a fundamental rule of Korean phonology.한 (han), 두 (du), 세 (se), 네 (ne), and 스무 (seumu)—exist for reasons of euphony, making pronunciation smoother and more natural. Attempting to use the full forms (하나 개, 둘 시) before a counter will sound unnatural or even grammatically incorrect to native speakers. This rule highlights the integral relationship between the number and its subsequent counter word, emphasizing that they form a cohesive unit.하나 (hana) is not used. Instead, 한 명 (han myeong) is the correct phrase, where 하나 has contracted to 한 before the counter 명 (myeong, for people). Similarly, for "two o'clock," 둘 시 (dul si) is incorrect; the correct form is 두 시 (du si), with 둘 contracting to 두 before the hour counter 시 (si).Formation Pattern
하나, 둘, 셋, 넷, and 스물 when they are directly followed by a counter word.
hana | 한 | han |
dul | 두 | du |
set | 세 | se |
net | 네 | ne |
daseot | 다섯 | daseot |
yeoseot | 여섯 | yeoseot |
ilgop | 일곱 | ilgop |
yeodeol | 여덟 | yeodeol |
ahop | 아홉 | ahop |
yeol | 열 | yeol |
하나, 둘, 셋, and 넷 shorten their forms (한, 두, 세, 네). This happens only when they immediately precede a counter. For example, to say "one coffee," you must use 커피 한 잔 주세요. (keopi han jan juseyo., Please give me one cup of coffee.), not 커피 하나 잔 주세요. The syllable structure changes to avoid consecutive vowels or a final consonant followed by a vowel, making pronunciation more fluid.
열 (yeol, ten) with the single-digit numbers from one to nine. In this construction, the single-digit numbers (하나 through 아홉) maintain their full, uncontracted forms. This is because they are part of a larger numerical unit (열하나, 열둘) and are not directly followed by a counter. The counter would follow the entire compound number.
yeol-hana |
yeol-dul |
yeol-set |
yeol-net |
yeol-daseot |
yeol-yeoseot |
yeol-ilgop |
yeol-yeodeol |
yeol-ahop |
열여덟 살 (yeolyeodeol sal). Here, the 여덟 part of 열여덟 does not contract because 여덟 itself does not have a contracted form. If you were to say "two years old," then 둘 would contract to 두 as in 두 살 (du sal). This distinction is crucial: contractions apply to the contracting numbers when they are the final component of the number and directly precede the counter.
스물 (twenty) undergoes contraction when it directly precedes a counter word.
seumul | 스무 | seumu |
seoreun | 서른 | seoreun |
maheun | 마흔 | maheun |
swin | 쉰 | swin |
yesun | 예순 | yesun |
ilheun | 일흔 | ilheun |
yeodeun | 여든 | yeodeun |
aheun | 아흔 | aheun |
스물: When you express "twenty years old," you must say 스무 살 (seumu sal), not 스물 살. The ㄹ (l) sound from 스물 is dropped for ease of pronunciation before a consonant-initial counter like 살. This specific contraction is as mandatory as those for 1-4.
[Tens Number] + [Single-Digit Number]. When forming these, the single-digit component typically retains its base form within the compound, similar to numbers 11-19. However, the rule of contraction applies to the last component of the compound number if it is one of the contracting numbers (하나, 둘, 셋, 넷) and if it is immediately followed by a counter.
21: 스물하나 (seumul-hana) — 스물 (20) + 하나 (1)
35: 서른다섯 (seoreun-daseot) — 서른 (30) + 다섯 (5)
42: 마흔둘 (maheun-dul) — 마흔 (40) + 둘 (2)
하나, 둘, 셋, or 넷 and is directly followed by a counter. For example, to say "thirty-one years old":
서른하나 (seoreun-hana).
살 (sal).
하나 is one of the contracting numbers and precedes a counter, it contracts to 한.
서른한 살 (seoreunhan sal). You would never say 서른하나 살.
마흔셋 시 (maheunset si) would become 마흔세 시 (maheunse si). The 셋 contracts to 세 before 시. This rule holds consistently up to 99.
When To Use It
- General items (
개,gae): This is the most versatile counter. You use it for almost anything that doesn't have a more specific counter. 연필 세 개(yeonpil se gae, three pencils). Here,셋contracts to세before개. (Formal:연필 세 개가 있습니다.Casual:연필 세 개 있어.)사과 다섯 개(sagwa daseot gae, five apples).다섯does not contract. (Formal:사과 다섯 개를 샀습니다.Casual:사과 다섯 개 샀어.)
- People (
명,myeong/분,bun):명is the general counter for people, while분is a more respectful and formal alternative. 학생 두 명(haksaeng du myeong, two students).둘contracts to두. (Formal:학생 두 명이 왔습니다.Casual:학생 두 명 왔어.)선생님 한 분(seonsaengnim han bun, one teacher, respectful).하나contracts to한. (Formal:선생님 한 분이 기다리십니다.Casual:선생님 한 분 기다려.)
- Animals (
마리,mari): Used for counting all types of animals. 고양이 한 마리(goyangi han mari, one cat).하나contracts to한. (Formal:고양이 한 마리를 키웁니다.Casual:고양이 한 마리 키워.)강아지 네 마리(gangaji ne mari, four puppies).넷contracts to네. (Formal:강아지 네 마리가 뛰어놀고 있습니다.Casual:강아지 네 마리 뛰고 있어.)
- Bottles (
병,byeong), Books (권,gwon), Cups (잔,jan), Sheets of paper (장,jang), Cars (대,dae), etc.: Korean has numerous specific counters. The principle remains the same: Native Korean numbers (with contractions) + counter. 맥주 세 병(maekju se byeong, three bottles of beer).셋contracts to세. (Formal:맥주 세 병을 주문했어요.Casual:맥주 세 병 시켰어.)커피 두 잔(keopi du jan, two cups of coffee).둘contracts to두. (Formal:커피 두 잔 드릴까요?Casual:커피 두 잔 줄까?)
살, sal)살 (sal) to express a person's age. This is one of the most consistent and unwavering uses. The contractions for 1, 2, 3, 4, and 20 are strictly applied.스무 살(seumu sal, twenty years old).스물contracts to스무. (Formal:저는 스무 살입니다.Casual:나 스무 살이야.)서른한 살(seoreunhan sal, thirty-one years old). Here,서른하나becomes서른한before살. The final하나contracts to한. (Formal:그는 서른한 살입니다.Casual:걔 서른한 살이래.)열세 살(yeolse sal, thirteen years old).열셋becomes열세before살. The final셋contracts to세. (Formal:제 동생은 열세 살입니다.Casual:내 동생 열세 살이야.)
시, si), while Sino-Korean numbers are used for the minutes (분, bun). This clear division is fundamental. The contractions for 1, 2, 3, and 4 are mandatory for hours.한 시(han si, one o'clock).하나contracts to한. (Formal:지금 한 시입니다.Casual:지금 한 시야.)두 시(du si, two o'clock).둘contracts to두. (Formal:회의는 두 시에 시작합니다.Casual:회의 두 시에 시작해.)세 시(se si, three o'clock).셋contracts to세. (Formal:세 시에 만나요.Casual:세 시에 봐.)네 시(ne si, four o'clock).넷contracts to네. (Formal:네 시에 집에 갈 거예요.Casual:네 시에 집에 갈 거야.)다섯 시(daseot si, five o'clock).다섯does not contract. (Formal:저녁은 다섯 시에 먹어요.Casual:저녁 다섯 시에 먹어.)
- Crucial Contrast: Always remember that minutes use Sino-Korean. So, "one thirty" is
한 시 삼십분(han si samsipbun), not한 시 서른분. The hour is Native Korean, the minutes are Sino-Korean. This specific instance of mixing number systems is correct and expected.
Common Mistakes
- Forgetting Mandatory Contractions: This is, by far, the most frequent error. Learners often fail to contract
하나,둘,셋,넷, and스물when they immediately precede a counter. This not only sounds unnatural but can also be grammatically incorrect. - Incorrect:
하나 개(hana gae) -> Correct:한 개(han gae, one item) - Incorrect:
둘 시(dul si) -> Correct:두 시(du si, two o'clock) - Incorrect:
스물 살(seumul sal) -> Correct:스무 살(seumu sal, twenty years old) - Why it's wrong: The contractions are phonetic adjustments for smoother transitions. The absence of the contraction creates a hiatus (gap between vowels) or an awkward consonant cluster that is avoided in natural speech. Always train your ear for the contracted forms; they are the default in these contexts.
- Mixing Number Systems Inappropriately: While you mix systems correctly for time (
한 시 삼십분), you should not mix them for other contexts where only one system is appropriate. A common mistake is using Sino-Korean numbers where Native Korean numbers are required, particularly for age or hours. - Incorrect:
일 살(il sal) for "one year old" -> Correct:한 살(han sal). (일(il) is the Sino-Korean for one, never used with살.) - Incorrect:
삼 시(sam si) for "three o'clock" -> Correct:세 시(se si). (삼(sam) is the Sino-Korean for three, never used for hours.) - Why it's wrong: The domains are strictly separated. Native Korean numbers convey a sense of 'quantity' for tangible units (items, age, hours), while Sino-Korean numbers are more 'numerical' or 'abstract' (money, dates, minutes, mathematical calculations). Adhering to these domains is paramount.
- Misapplying Contractions in Compound Numbers: Learners sometimes incorrectly contract a single-digit component within a compound number (e.g., in
열하나) or fail to contract the final digit when it should. Remember, contraction happens to the final component (if it's하나,둘,셋,넷) only when that component is directly followed by a counter. - Incorrect:
서른하나 살(seoreunhana sal) -> Correct:서른한 살(seoreunhan sal, thirty-one years old). (The하나must contract to한before살.) - Incorrect: Attempting to contract
여덟in열여덟 살(yeolyeodeol sal).여덟does not have a contracted form, so it remains열여덟 살. (Only specific numbers contract.)
- Using Native Korean Numbers Above 99: The Native Korean system effectively stops at 99. Attempting to use Native Korean for 100 (
백) or higher is incorrect. For 100, 1000, 10,000, etc., you must use Sino-Korean numbers (백,cheon,man). - Incorrect: Trying to say "one hundred" with a Native Korean number. -> Correct:
백(baek, Sino-Korean).
Real Conversations
Understanding Native Korean numbers in a textbook is one thing; hearing and using them in authentic conversations is another. Here's how these numbers appear in everyday interactions, from casual chats to practical transactions.
- Ordering Food/Drinks
- 직원: 몇 분이세요? (myeot bun-iseyo?, How many people are there? - respectful)
- 손님: 저희 세 명이에요. (jeohui se myeong-ieyo., We are three people.)
- 직원: 커피 두 잔하고 빵 하나 드릴까요? (keopi du jan-hago ppang hana deurilkkayo?, Would you like two coffees and one bread?)
- 손님: 네, 커피 두 잔이랑 빵 한 개 주세요. (ne, keopi du jan-irang ppang han gae juseyo., Yes, two coffees and one bread, please.)
- Asking/Stating Age (Common in Korea)
- A: 몇 살이세요? (myeot sal-iseyo?, How old are you?)
- B: 저는 스물다섯 살이에요. (jeoneun seumuldaseot sal-ieyo., I am twenty-five years old.)
- A: 어머, 동갑이네요! 저도 스물다섯 살이에요. (eomeo, donggap-ineyo! jeodo seumuldaseot sal-ieyo., Oh, we're the same age! I'm also twenty-five.)
- (Texting to a friend): 야, 너 벌써 서른 살이야? (ya, neo beolsseo seoreun sal-iya?, Hey, are you already thirty?)
- Setting Appointments/Times
- 친구 A: 우리 내일 몇 시에 만날까? (uri naeil myeot si-e mannalkka?, What time should we meet tomorrow?)
- 친구 B: 음... 세 시 어때? (eum... se si eottae?, Hmm... how about three o'clock?)
- 친구 A: 좋아! 그럼 세 시에 카페에서 보자! (joa! geureom se si-e kape-eseo boja!, Great! Then let's meet at the cafe at three!)
- (Work email): 회의는 두 시 사십오분에 시작합니다. (hoe-uineun du si sasipobun-e sijakhamnida., The meeting starts at two forty-five.) - Notice 두 시 (Native) and 사십오분 (Sino).
- Quick Counts/Inventory
- (Looking in fridge): 계란 두 개 남았네. (gyeran du gae namanne., Only two eggs left.)
- (Child counting fingers): 하나, 둘, 셋, 넷, 다섯! (hana, dul, set, net, daseot!, One, two, three, four, five!)
- (Shopping online review): 이거 세 번 샀어요. 너무 좋아요! (igeo se beon sasseoyo. neomu joayo!, I bought this three times. It's so good!)
These examples demonstrate the natural integration of Native Korean numbers into various communicative acts. Pay attention to the subtle nuance of formality (합니다체 vs. 해체) and the consistent application of contractions.
Quick FAQ
- Why does Korean have two number systems?
- Do I always use contracted forms with counters?
하나, 둘, 셋, 넷, and 스물, the contractions (한, 두, 세, 네, 스무) are mandatory when these numbers (or their final component in compound numbers) immediately precede a counter word like 개, 명, 살, 시, etc. There are no exceptions in standard modern Korean. For all other Native Korean numbers (like 다섯, 열, 서른), their forms remain unchanged before counters.- What happens when you count to 100?
백 (baek), 101 is 백일 (baeg-il), and so on. You will not use 하나 백 or any such construction.- Is there a pattern to which numbers contract?
하나, 둘, 셋, 넷, 스물) are generally those that would create an awkward vowel-vowel hiatus or a difficult consonant cluster transition if the full form were used with a subsequent counter. The contractions streamline pronunciation. While there's no simple rule like "all numbers ending in a vowel contract," the pattern applies to these specific, high-frequency numbers for phonetic efficiency.- How do I say "first," "second," "third" (ordinal numbers)?
첫째 (cheotjjae, first), 둘째 (duljjae, second), 셋째 (setjjae, third), 넷째 (netjjae, fourth) up to the fifth (다섯째). For higher ordinals, or to specify order in a series, you often use Sino-Korean numbers followed by 번째 (beonjjae), such as 첫 번째 (cheot beonjjae, first/first time), 두 번째 (du beonjjae, second/second time), 세 번째 (se beonjjae, third/third time), 네 번째 (ne beonjjae, fourth/fourth time), 다섯 번째 (daseot beonjjae, fifth/fifth time). Note that 둘, 셋, 넷 still contract before 번째.일등 (ildeung) or 첫 (cheot) can be used. This topic extends beyond cardinal numbers but is a common follow-up question.Native Number Forms
| Number | Base Form | With Counter |
|---|---|---|
|
1
|
하나
|
한
|
|
2
|
둘
|
두
|
|
3
|
셋
|
세
|
|
4
|
넷
|
네
|
|
5
|
다섯
|
다섯
|
|
10
|
열
|
열
|
|
20
|
스물
|
스무
|
|
30
|
서른
|
서른
|
Irregular Number Changes
| Number | Original | Modified |
|---|---|---|
|
1
|
하나
|
한
|
|
2
|
둘
|
두
|
|
3
|
셋
|
세
|
|
4
|
넷
|
네
|
|
20
|
스물
|
스무
|
Meanings
The native Korean number system is used primarily for counting physical objects, people, and telling the hour of the day.
Counting Objects
Used with counters to quantify items.
“책 두 권 (two books)”
“사람 세 명 (three people)”
Telling Time
Used specifically for the hour portion of time.
“한 시 (1:00)”
“다섯 시 (5:00)”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Counting
|
Number + Counter
|
사과 세 개
|
|
Time (Hour)
|
Number + 시
|
두 시
|
|
Age
|
Number + 살
|
스물 살
|
|
People
|
Number + 명
|
다섯 명
|
|
Animals
|
Number + 마리
|
개 한 마리
|
|
Books
|
Number + 권
|
책 두 권
|
|
General
|
Number + 개
|
열 개
|
Formality Spectrum
사과 한 개 있습니다. (Daily life)
사과 한 개 있어요. (Daily life)
사과 한 개 있어. (Daily life)
사과 한 개 있네. (Daily life)
Native Number Usage
Counting
- 사과 apple
- 사람 person
Time
- 시 hour
Age
- 살 years old
Native vs Sino-Korean
Do I use Native Numbers?
Is it a date, price, or phone number?
Common Counters
People
- • 명
- • 분
Objects
- • 개
- • 권
- • 마리
Examples by Level
사과 한 개 주세요.
Please give me one apple.
지금 두 시예요.
It is two o'clock now.
책 세 권 있어요.
I have three books.
네 명이에요.
There are four people.
스무 살이에요.
I am twenty years old.
다섯 명 왔어요.
Five people came.
여섯 시에 만나요.
Let's meet at six o'clock.
열 개 샀어요.
I bought ten items.
서른다섯 살에 결혼했어요.
I got married at thirty-five.
일흔일곱 개가 필요해요.
I need seventy-seven items.
아홉 시 반에 시작해요.
It starts at nine-thirty.
여든 명의 학생이 있어요.
There are eighty students.
마흔두 살의 나이로 은퇴했습니다.
I retired at the age of forty-two.
쉰여섯 개의 상자를 옮겼어요.
I moved fifty-six boxes.
일곱 시 사십 분에 도착합니다.
I arrive at seven-forty.
예순아홉 명의 참가자가 있습니다.
There are sixty-nine participants.
아흔아홉 번의 시도 끝에 성공했습니다.
I succeeded after ninety-nine attempts.
열여덟 살의 청년이 도전했습니다.
An eighteen-year-old youth took on the challenge.
스물네 시간 동안 쉬지 않았습니다.
I didn't rest for twenty-four hours.
열다섯 명의 전문가가 모였습니다.
Fifteen experts gathered.
일흔두 살의 노장이 다시 일어섰습니다.
The seventy-two-year-old veteran stood up again.
여든여덟 개의 별이 빛나고 있습니다.
Eighty-eight stars are shining.
마흔아홉 명의 사상자가 발생했습니다.
Forty-nine casualties occurred.
예순다섯 번의 회의를 거쳤습니다.
We went through sixty-five meetings.
Easily Confused
Learners mix them up constantly.
Using '살' with Sino-Korean.
Using Native for minutes.
Common Mistakes
하나 개
한 개
둘 시
두 시
셋 명
세 명
넷 개
네 개
일십 개
열 개
이십 살
스무 살
삼 시
세 시
백 개
백 개 (Sino-Korean)
오십 살
쉰 살
십 시
열 시
일흔일곱 시
일곱 시
스물 개
스무 개
아흔아홉 살
아흔아홉 살
Sentence Patterns
저는 ___ 살이에요.
지금 ___ 시예요.
사과 ___ 개 주세요.
친구 ___ 명 있어요.
Real World Usage
김밥 두 줄 주세요.
지금 세 시예요.
저는 스물다섯 살이에요.
이거 한 개 얼마예요?
친구 세 명이랑 왔어요.
경력은 세 해입니다.
The 'Counter' Rule
Don't use for money
The 1-4 Rule
Age matters
Smart Tips
Always check if the number is 1, 2, 3, 4, or 20.
Use native for the hour, Sino for the minute.
Always use native numbers.
Use '명' for people.
Pronunciation
Final Consonants
Final consonants in numbers like '셋' (set) are pronounced clearly.
Vowel Change
The change from '하나' to '한' is a reduction.
Statement
사과 한 개 있어요. ↘
Falling intonation for facts.
Question
사과 한 개 있어요? ↗
Rising intonation for questions.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Hana is 'One' (sounds like 'Ha!' for one winner). Dul is 'Two' (sounds like 'Dual'). Set is 'Three' (like a 'Set' of three).
Visual Association
Imagine holding one apple (Hana), two books (Dul), and three people (Set) standing in a line.
Rhyme
Hana, Dul, Set, count them all, Native numbers stand so tall.
Story
I went to the store and bought one (Hana) apple. Then I saw two (Dul) dogs. Finally, I met three (Set) friends. We all went home at five (다섯) o'clock.
Word Web
Challenge
Count everything on your desk right now using native numbers and the counter '개'.
Cultural Notes
Native numbers are used for age, which is traditionally counted differently (Korean age).
The usage is similar, but formal speech levels differ slightly.
Many Korean-Americans use Sino-Korean numbers for everything due to English influence.
Native Korean numbers are indigenous to the Korean peninsula, predating the adoption of Chinese characters.
Conversation Starters
지금 몇 시예요?
사과 몇 개 있어요?
몇 살이에요?
친구 몇 명 있어요?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
사과 ___ 개
___ 시
Find and fix the mistake:
셋 명
개 / 한 / 사과 / 있어요
Three people
Answer starts with: 세 명...
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
20 + 개
Native numbers are used for dates.
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises사과 ___ 개
___ 시
Find and fix the mistake:
셋 명
개 / 한 / 사과 / 있어요
Three people
1 -> ?
20 + 개
Native numbers are used for dates.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesGive me ___ items. (___ gae juseyo)
I am ___ years old. (___ sal)
5 bottles of soju
Identify the stable number:
Yeol-hana sal (10 years old)
Yuk si
Match correctly:
Match correctly:
juseyo / pija / pan / du
sal / seumul-hana / ieyo
Three people
7 o'clock
Score: /12
FAQ (8)
One is native Korean, one is Sino-Korean. They serve different purposes.
For counting items, people, and hours.
It's a form change when adding a counter.
No, money always uses Sino-Korean.
You switch to Sino-Korean numbers.
Age is always native.
Yes, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 20.
Minutes use Sino-Korean numbers.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Hitotsu, Futatsu, Mittsu
Japanese native numbers are used for a wider range of items.
Uno, Dos, Tres
No distinction between native and Sino-Korean systems.
Eins, Zwei, Drei
No form changes based on counters.
Un, Deux, Trois
No distinction between counting systems.
Wahid, Ithnan, Thalatha
Korean uses counters, Arabic uses gender agreement.
Yi, Er, San
Korean has two systems; Chinese has one.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Continue With
General Counter 개 (Counting Things)
Overview Korean, unlike English, employs a system of **counters** (수량사, `suryangsa`) to quantify nouns. This system r...
Counting People: Friends vs. Elders (명 / 분)
Overview Korean, like many East Asian languages, utilizes **counters** (또는 **classifiers**) to quantify nouns. Unlike...
Counting Animals: Use 마리 (mari)
Overview Korean, unlike English, rarely counts items with numbers standing alone. Instead, numbers are almost invariably...
Telling Time: Native Hours & Sino Minutes
Overview Learning Korean often requires you to navigate two distinct number systems: **Native Korean numbers** (`고유어...
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...
Counting Animals: Use 마리 (mari)
Overview Korean, unlike English, rarely counts items with numbers standing alone. Instead, numbers are almost invariably...
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...
