Sino-Korean Numbers
Sino-Korean numbers are the logical, math-based system used for dates, money, and precise measurements in daily life.
The Rule in 30 Seconds
- Used for money, dates, minutes, phone numbers, and addresses.
- Based on a simple 1-10 base system with no irregular word changes.
- Higher numbers like 100 (백), 1,000 (천), and 10,000 (만) are essential.
- Never use for counting physical objects or your age.
Quick Reference
| Digit | Korean | Usage Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1-10 | 일, 이, 삼... 십 | Basic counting/Math |
| 0 (Phone) | 공 | 010-1234... |
| Months | ~월 (e.g., 일월) | January - December |
| Days | ~일 (e.g., 오일) | 5th day of the month |
| Minutes | ~분 (e.g., 삼십 분) | 30 minutes |
| Floor | ~층 (e.g., 삼층) | 3rd Floor |
| Won (₩) | ~원 (e.g., 만 원) | 10,000 Won |
关键例句
3 / 9일, 이, 삼, 사, 오.
One, two, three, four, five.
커피가 오천 원이에요.
The coffee is 5,000 won.
오늘은 십이월 이십오일이에요.
Today is December 25th.
The 'Man' Rule
Always think in units of 10,000 (`만`). In English we say 'fifty thousand', but in Korean, it's just 'five-ten-thousand' (`오만`). Master this for shopping!
June and October
Don't say `육월` or `십월`. It's a common beginner mistake. Stick with `유월` and `시월` to sound like a pro.
The Rule in 30 Seconds
- Used for money, dates, minutes, phone numbers, and addresses.
- Based on a simple 1-10 base system with no irregular word changes.
- Higher numbers like 100 (백), 1,000 (천), and 10,000 (만) are essential.
- Never use for counting physical objects or your age.
Overview
Welcome to the world of Korean numbers! If you’ve ever felt like Korean is twice as hard as other languages, here is a secret: it actually has two number systems. Today, we are diving into Sino-Korean numbers. These numbers are based on Chinese characters. They are the workhorses of the Korean language. You will use them for almost everything that involves math, logic, or records. Think of them as the 'technical' numbers. Whether you are checking the price of a cool jacket in Myeongdong or telling a friend your phone number, these are the digits you need. They are logical, consistent, and surprisingly easy to stack once you learn the first ten. Yes, even native speakers find the other system (Native Korean) trickier for big math, so you’re in good company!
How This Grammar Works
Sino-Korean numbers operate on a simple base-10 system. Once you memorize 1 through 10, you basically know how to count to 99. It is like building with LEGO blocks. You just snap the numbers together. To make 11, you say "ten-one." To make 20, you say "two-ten." There are no weird words like "eleven" or "twenty" to memorize. It’s all math. Beyond 10, we have big markers for 100, 1,000, and 10,000. One thing that trips up English speakers is the number 10,000. In English, we count in thousands. In Korean, we have a specific word for 10,000 called 만. It’s the king of Korean currency! If you can master 만, you can survive any shopping trip in Seoul without a calculator.
Formation Pattern
- 1Building these numbers is as easy as 1-2-3. Follow these steps to become a math wizard:
- 2Memorize the Core 10:
- 31:
일(il) - 42:
이(i) - 53:
삼(sam) - 64:
사(sa) - 75:
오(o) - 86:
육(yuk) - 97:
칠(chil) - 108:
팔(pal) - 119:
구(gu) - 1210:
십(sip) - 13Numbers 11-19: Take 10 (
십) and add the single digit. - 1411 is
십일(10 + 1). - 1515 is
십오(10 + 5). - 16Multiples of 10 (20-90): Take the multiplier and add 10 (
십). - 1720 is
이십(2 + 10). - 1850 is
오십(5 + 10). - 19Complex Numbers (21-99): Multiplier + 10 + single digit.
- 2024 is
이십사(2 + 10 + 4). - 2199 is
구십구(9 + 10 + 9). - 22The Big Guys:
- 23100:
백(baek) - 241,000:
천(cheon) - 2510,000:
만(man)
When To Use It
You will use Sino-Korean numbers in several high-stakes, real-world scenarios. Think of these as the 'Measurement and Data' numbers.
- Money: Every time you pay for something.
천 원is 1,000 won. - Dates: Years, months, and days. Today might be
이월 십사일(Feb 14th). - Minutes and Seconds: Telling the time? Hours use the *other* system, but minutes always use Sino-Korean.
삼십 분is 30 minutes. - Phone Numbers: When giving your digits. Use
공or영for zero. - Addresses: Street numbers and apartment floors. If you live on the 5th floor, it’s
오층. - Temperature: Checking if you need a padded coat.
-십 도is -10 degrees. - Bus Routes: "Take bus number
칠백이(702)."
When Not To Use It
This is the part where you need to hit the brakes. Don't use Sino-Korean for everything! Think of this like a grammar traffic light. Red light for:
- Age: If you say you are
이십years old, people will understand, but it sounds like you’re reading a medical report. Use Native Korean for age. - Counting Items: People, apples, or bottles of soju. That’s a job for Native Korean.
- Hours: When telling time, the hour gets the Native system. This is the ultimate 'boss fight' of Korean numbers: mixing both systems in one sentence.
세 시 삼십 분(3 o'clock 30 minutes).
Common Mistakes
Even if you are a math genius, Korean numbers have a few traps.
- The Zero Dilemma: Korean has two zeros.
영is used for math and temperature.공is used for phone numbers. If you swap them, it’s not the end of the world, but it sounds a bit 'textbook'. - The Number 16: This is the ultimate pronunciation trap. It’s written
십육, but everyone says [심뉵]. It’s a nasalization party! - June and October: When saying the months, 6 (
육) and 10 (십) drop their final consonants. June is유월, not육월. October is시월, not십월. This happens so you don't trip over your own tongue. - Skipping 'One': For 100 (
백) or 1,000 (천), you don't say일백or일천unless you are being super formal (like a bank teller). Just say백or천.
Contrast With Similar Patterns
The biggest contrast is between Sino-Korean and Native Korean (하나, 둘, 셋).
- Sino-Korean: High numbers (over 100), math, dates, precision. It’s like using a digital watch.
- Native Korean: Low numbers (1-99), physical items, human age, hours. It’s like counting on your fingers.
Imagine you are at a cafe. You order two (Native: 두) coffees. The price is five thousand (Sino: 오천) won. You wait for ten (Sino: 십) minutes. See? They work together like a K-Pop duo!
Quick FAQ
Q. Is the number 4 actually unlucky?
A. Yes, 사 sounds like the word for 'death.' Some elevators have an 'F' instead of '4'. But don't worry, you still use it in math!
Q. Which zero should I use for my phone number?
A. Use 공. It’s like saying "O" instead of "Zero" in English.
Q. Why do I have to learn two systems?
A. Because Korean loves variety! Actually, it’s because the Chinese-influenced system was better for complex math and records, while the native system stayed for everyday life.
Q. Can I just use my fingers?
A. For 1 to 5, sure! But once you hit the thousands, your fingers will run out. Better to learn 만!
Reference Table
| Digit | Korean | Usage Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1-10 | 일, 이, 삼... 십 | Basic counting/Math |
| 0 (Phone) | 공 | 010-1234... |
| Months | ~월 (e.g., 일월) | January - December |
| Days | ~일 (e.g., 오일) | 5th day of the month |
| Minutes | ~분 (e.g., 삼십 분) | 30 minutes |
| Floor | ~층 (e.g., 삼층) | 3rd Floor |
| Won (₩) | ~원 (e.g., 만 원) | 10,000 Won |
The 'Man' Rule
Always think in units of 10,000 (`만`). In English we say 'fifty thousand', but in Korean, it's just 'five-ten-thousand' (`오만`). Master this for shopping!
June and October
Don't say `육월` or `십월`. It's a common beginner mistake. Stick with `유월` and `시월` to sound like a pro.
Speed Dial Pronunciation
When giving your phone number, use the particle `의` (pronounced as 'e') between the groups of numbers, like 010-의-1234.
The Unlucky Four
You might see 'F' in elevators instead of '4'. It's not a grade; it stands for 'Four' because the Korean word `사` sounds like 'death'. Spooky, right?
例句
9일, 이, 삼, 사, 오.
Focus: 일, 이, 삼, 사, 오
One, two, three, four, five.
The most basic form used for simple sequences.
커피가 오천 원이에요.
Focus: 오천
The coffee is 5,000 won.
Prices always use Sino-Korean numbers.
오늘은 십이월 이십오일이에요.
Focus: 십이월 이십오일
Today is December 25th.
Month + Day format uses this system.
제 번호는 공일공-일이삼사예요.
Focus: 공일공
My number is 010-1234.
Use 'gong' (공) for zero in phone numbers.
십 분 기다려 주세요.
Focus: 십 분
Please wait for 10 minutes.
Minutes (분) always use Sino-Korean.
✗ 육월 → ✓ 유월
Focus: 유월
June
Drop the 'k' sound in June for smoother speaking.
✗ 십월 → ✓ 시월
Focus: 시월
October
Drop the 'p' sound in October for natural flow.
십육 번 버스를 타세요.
Focus: 십육
Take bus number 16.
Pronounced as [심뉵] due to sound change rules.
이 가방은 오십삼만 원이에요.
Focus: 오십삼만
This bag is 530,000 won.
Counting in units of 10,000 (man) is key.
自我测试
Fill in the blank for the price '3,500 won'.
이 빵은 ___오백 원이에요.
3 in Sino-Korean is 'sam' (삼).
Select the correct month for October.
___은 날씨가 좋아요.
October is uniquely 'si-wol' (시월), dropping the 'p' from 'sip'.
How do you say '20 minutes' in Korean?
___ 분 뒤에 만나요.
20 is 'i-sip' (이십) in the Sino-Korean system.
🎉 得分： /3
视觉学习工具
Sino vs. Native Korean
Which system should I use?
Is it money or a date?
Are you counting physical items?
Is it minutes?
Sino-Korean Essentials
Currency
- • 원 (Won)
- • 만 (10,000)
Phone
- • 공 (0)
- • 번 (Number)
Building
- • 층 (Floor)
- • 호 (Room #)
常见问题
21 个问题일 is Sino-Korean used for math and dates, while 하나 is Native Korean used for counting objects. Use 일 for the 1st day of the month.
영 is used for math and temperature, while 공 is preferred for phone numbers and bus routes. Think of 공 like saying 'O' in English phone numbers.
Simply say 백. You don't need to say 일백 (one-hundred) unless you are reading a formal document.
Technically you can in very formal settings, but it's rare. Stick to Native Korean numbers like 스물 for 20 for everyday conversation.
It is spelled 십육 but pronounced 심뉵. This is because of a sound change where the ㅂ meets a hidden ㄴ sound.
You say it digit by digit in chunks: 이천 (2000) + 이십사 (24) + 년 (year). So, 이천이십사 년.
A calculator is pure math, so it always uses Sino-Korean. 삼 더하기 이 (3 plus 2) uses these numbers.
Not really! After 만 (10,000), you have 억 (100 million) and 조 (trillion). You'll only need those if you win the lottery!
It's to make it easier to say. 육월 has a harsh stop that slows down your speech, so Koreans smoothed it out to 유월.
Yes! If you are going to the 7th floor, you say 칠층. Most building signs use these numbers.
Just put the number before 원. For example, 오백 원 is 500 won. It's very straightforward math.
Minutes always use Sino-Korean. 오 분 is 5 minutes. Just remember that hours use the other system!
Yes, in Korea, China, and Japan. You won't see it often in hospitals or some older apartments.
It is 만. It is the most important unit in Korean currency. One 10,000 won bill is 만 원.
Just 만. Like 백 and 천, you don't need to say the 'one' at the beginning.
Read each digit individually. For 010-123-4567, say 공일공 일이삼 사오육칠.
Yes, they are very similar! If you know Mandarin or Cantonese numbers, you will find the sounds very familiar.
People will still understand you! It might sound a bit funny, like saying 'I have two-ten years,' but they will get the point.
Use the word 영하 (below zero) for temperature. 영하 오 도 means -5 degrees.
Sino-Korean is used more often in daily life for things like time (minutes), prices, and dates.
Practice reading bus numbers or prices at a grocery store. It's the best way to get them into your brain!
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