Telling Time with 시 and 분

Korean uses two sets of numbers: Native Korean and Sino-Korean. This is the part where most people go "Wait, what?" Think of it as a two-flavored ice cream cone. For hours, you must use Native Korean numbers (하나, 둘, 셋). For minutes, you switch to Sino-Korean numbers (일, 이, 삼). Why does this happen? Historically, hours were felt as more "natural" units of time. Minutes were seen as more "mathematical" or "precise" units. That is why they use different systems today. It is like using feet for your height but meters for a race. It seems weird until you do it a few times. Then, it just feels right. You will also learn that some numbers change their shape slightly. This happens when they meet the word 시. It is like they are getting dressed up for a special occasion. They want to be easier to pronounce. For example, 하나 (one) becomes 한 (one). It is a small change for a big reward in fluency.

1. 1To tell the time, follow these simple steps. It is a formula that never fails:
2. 2Identify the Hour: Use the Native Korean number (1-12).
3. 3Apply the "Closer" Rule: If the hour is 1, 2, 3, 4, or 20, use the short form.
4. 4하나 becomes 한
5. 5둘 becomes 두
6. 6셋 becomes 세
7. 7넷 becomes 네
8. 8스물 becomes 스무
9. 9Add the word 시: This is your hour marker.
10. 10Identify the Minutes: Use the Sino-Korean number (1-59).
11. 11Add the word 분: This is your minute marker.
12. 12Example: 2:30 would be 두 시 삼십 분.
13. 13Note: You can also say 두 시 반 (2:30 / Half past two). 반 means half. It is a great shortcut for when you are in a rush to meet a friend at a busy Gangnam exit.

You will use this grammar every time you look at a clock. Here are some real-world scenarios:

• Making plans: "Let's meet at 세 시 (3:00)."
• Checking schedules: "The bus leaves at 열 시 십 분 (10:10)."
• Ordering food: "Can I get my delivery by 여섯 시 반 (6:30)?"
• Job interviews: "The interview starts at 오전 아홉 시 (9:00 AM)."
• Catching a flight: "My flight is at 오후 두 시 사십 분 (2:40 PM)."

Essentially, anytime you are talking about a specific point on the clock, this is your go-to pattern. It is the language of punctuality. If you want to avoid being that person who is always late, you need these words. It is also helpful when asking for the time. You can ask: 지금 몇 시예요? (What time is it now?). People will be impressed by your number-switching skills!

Be careful! Do not use this pattern for duration. If you want to say "I studied for 3 hours," do not use 시. For counting hours (duration), use 시간.

• Point in time: 세 시 (3 o'clock).
• Duration of time: 세 시간 (3 hours).

Using 시 for duration is like saying "I ran for 3 o'clock." It sounds a bit silly, right?

Also, do not use Native numbers for minutes. Saying 한 시 하나 분 will make people pause and tilt their heads. It is a bit like a grammar traffic light turning red. Just remember: minutes are always the mathematical Sino-Korean numbers.

Finally, do not use 시 and 분 for dates or years. Those have their own special markers like 년 (year) and 월 (month). Stick to the clock for this rule.

The most famous mistake is using 하나 시 instead of 한 시. Even native speakers might giggle at this one. It is like saying "one-th" instead of "first" in English. Remember the special forms for 1, 2, 3, and 4. They are your best friends.

Another trap is mixing up the number systems. You might say 일 시 (Sino 1 + Hour). This is a big no-no. It is like putting salt in your coffee. It just doesn't belong.

Many learners also forget the AM/PM markers. In Korean, these go BEFORE the time.

• 오전 (AM) + 아홉 시 (9:00)
• 오후 (PM) + 세 시 (3:00)

If you put them after, people will still understand, but you will sound like a textbook from the 80s.

Lastly, don't forget to use 반 for 30 minutes! While 삼십 분 is correct, 반 makes you sound much more natural and conversational.

You might wonder about 시간 (duration) vs 시 (point).

시 is a snapshot. It is a specific moment.

시간 is a movie. It is a stretch of time.

If you say "I slept at 열 시," you are talking about when you went to bed.

If you say "I slept for 열 시간," you are bragging about a very long nap!

There is also 동안 (during/for). You use 동안 with 시간 to say "During 3 hours."

Example: 세 시간 동안 공부했어요 (I studied for 3 hours).

Notice how 시 never pairs with 동안. They are from different worlds.

Another contrast is with 전 (before) and 후 (after).

You can say 열 시 오 분 전 (Five minutes before ten / 9:55).

This is a bit more advanced but very common in daily talk. It is like the "quarter to" expression in English. Just keep it simple for now, and the rest will follow.