Korean native numbers β also called "pure Korean" numbers β are used for counting people, objects, ages, and hours. This guide covers 1-100 with the special forms that change shape before counters, so you sound natural when counting.
Korean TokTok
Korean sino numbers β the system borrowed from Chinese β are used for dates, money, phone numbers, and anything above 99. This guide walks 1-100 with Hangul, romanization, and the combination rules that let you form every number in between.
Korean TokTok
Korean has two full counting systems β sino-Korean (Chinese-origin) and native Korean β and learners constantly mix them up. This overview gives you the one rule that decides which to use, plus a side-by-side table.
Korean TokTok
If you're just starting Korean, these 30 example words unlock daily life β greetings, family, food, transportation, time. Each is given in Hangul with romanization, English meaning, and a short usage note.
Korean TokTok
K-dramas recycle a core vocabulary of emotional and relational words β love, wait, feelings, promise, believe. This list covers the 20 Korean words you'll hear in almost every series, with examples of how they appear in dialogue.
Korean native numbers β also called μμ°λ¦¬λ§ μ«μ (sun-urimal sutja) or "pure Korean" numbers β are the older, non-Chinese-origin counting system. You use them for counting people, counting objects, saying your age casually, and telling hours on the clock. Unlike sino numbers, natives only reach up to 99 in practical daily use, and several of them change shape when followed by a counter word.
| Number | Hangul | Romanization |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | νλ | hana |
| 2 | λ | dul |
| 3 | μ | set |
| 4 | λ· | net |
| 5 | λ€μ― | daseot |
| 6 | μ¬μ― | yeoseot |
| 7 | μΌκ³± | ilgop |
| 8 | μ¬λ | yeodeol |
| 9 | μν | ahop |
| 10 | μ΄ | yeol |
When you use a native number IN FRONT OF a counter word (like μ΄ for "years old" or κ° for "items"), the first four numbers and 20 change shape:
So "one book" is μ± ν κΆ (chaek han gwon), NOT μ± νλ κΆ. But when you count out loud with no counter β "one, two, three" β you still say νλ, λ, μ .
Tens compound like sino but with native roots:
There is no native word for 100 β Koreans borrow λ°± (baek) from sino.
μ¬κ³Ό λ κ° μ£ΌμΈμ.sagwa du gae juseyo. (sagwa du gae juseyo) β "Please give me two apples."μ λ μ€λ¬Όλ€μ― μ΄μ΄μμ.jeoneun seumuldaseot sarieyo. (jeoneun seumul-daseot sarieyo) β "I'm 25 years old."μΉκ΅¬ μΈ λͺ
μ΄ μμ΄μ.chingu se myeoi isseoyo. (chingu se myeongi isseoyo) β "I have three friends."Notice how the number comes first, the counter second.
