Counter 마리 (animals)

Korean has two different number systems. There are Sino-Korean numbers (일, 이, 삼) and Native Korean numbers (하나, 둘, 셋). When you use counters like 마리, you must use Native Korean numbers. This is a golden rule for beginners. Native numbers are used for counting items, people, and animals. Sino-Korean numbers are for dates, phone numbers, and prices. So, if you see a dog, you use the Native system. You also need to know a little secret. Some Native numbers change their shape when they meet a counter. They like to get a bit shorter. This happens with the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, and 20. It is like they are putting on a slimmer outfit to fit next to 마리. Once you master these changes, you are halfway there!

1. 1The pattern is very consistent. Follow these simple steps to build your sentence:
2. 2Start with the animal noun (e.g., 강아지 for puppy).
3. 3Add a space.
4. 4Add the Native Korean number in its counter form.
5. 5Add another space (optional but common) and then 마리.
6. 6Here is how the numbers change:
7. 7하나 (1) becomes 한 -> 한 마리 (one animal)
8. 8둘 (2) becomes 두 -> 두 마리 (two animals)
9. 9셋 (3) becomes 세 -> 세 마리 (three animals)
10. 10넷 (4) becomes 네 -> 네 마리 (four animals)
11. 11다섯 (5) stays 다섯 -> 다섯 마리 (five animals)
12. 12스물 (20) becomes 스무 -> 스무 마리 (twenty animals)
13. 13For any other number, just use the standard Native Korean form. For example, 6 is 여섯 마리. 10 is 열 마리. It is quite predictable once you get the hang of it!

You should use 마리 for almost any non-human living creature. This includes:

• Pets: Dogs (개), cats (고양이), rabbits (토끼).
• Farm Animals: Cows (소), pigs (돼지), chickens (닭).
• Insects: Ants (개미), spiders (거미), mosquitoes (모기).
• Sea Life: Fish (물고기), sharks (상어), whales (고래).
• Birds: Pigeons (비둘기), eagles (독수리).

Imagine you are at a pet cafe in Seoul. You want to tell your friend there are five cats. You would say, 고양이 다섯 마리 있어요. Or imagine you are at a fried chicken shop. If you want to order one whole chicken, you say 치킨 한 마리 주세요. Yes, even cooked whole chickens use 마리! It is also used for mythical creatures. If you see two dragons in a K-drama, they are 용 두 마리.

This is very important: Never use 마리 for people. Using 마리 for a person is a huge insult. It implies they are an animal. For people, we use 명 or the polite 분. Even if you are joking with friends, be careful! Also, do not use 마리 for inanimate objects. You wouldn't use it for a car, a book, or a cup of coffee. Those have their own counters (대, 권, 잔). Finally, don't use it for pieces of meat. If you are at a BBQ restaurant ordering slices of pork, use 인분 (servings). Only use 마리 when referring to the whole animal or the living creature.

The biggest mistake is using Sino-Korean numbers. Saying 개 일 마리 (Sino 1) instead of 개 한 마리 (Native 1) sounds very strange. It is a common slip-up for beginners. Another mistake is forgetting the shortened number forms. Many people say 하나 마리 or 둘 마리. Remember, it must be 한 마리 and 두 마리. Think of it like a grammar traffic light. If you see the full number form before a counter, the light is red! Stop and shorten it. Also, watch your word order. In English, we say "two dogs." In Korean, it is usually "dog two [counter]." Putting the number first is possible but less common in casual speech.

You might get 마리 confused with 개. 개 is the general counter for things. You use it for apples, balls, and boxes. If you are unsure, many learners default to 개. However, using 개 for a dog sounds like you are calling the dog an object. It lacks the "living" nuance of 마리. Then there is 명. As mentioned, 명 is strictly for humans. If you use 명 for a cat, you are treating the cat like a person. While some pet owners do this to be cute, it is grammatically incorrect in standard Korean. Stick to 마리 for anything with a tail, wings, or fins!