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Numbers & Time in Korean
Korean has two number systems. These 35 essential phrases cover both, plus time expressions — with Hangul, romanization, and native audio.
Each phrase includes native audio, an English translation, romanization, and cultural notes where relevant. Tap any play button to listen.
🔢 1부터 10까지 숫자 — Numbers 1–10
1.
일 (一)
Il
One (1) — Sino-Korean
Korean has TWO number systems. Sino-Korean for: money, dates, phones, minutes. Native for: hours, people, age (sometimes).
explanation:
2.
이 (二)
I
Two (2) — Sino-Korean
Sino-Korean 'two' is '이' (i). Native Korean 'two' is '둘' (dul) or '두' (du).
explanation:
3.
삼 (三)
Sam
Three (3) — Sino-Korean
Three is considered lucky in Korea. '삼세판' (best of three) is a common expression.
explanation:
4.
사 (四)
Sa
Four (4) — Sino-Korean
Four is unlucky — '사' sounds like death (死). Many Korean buildings skip floor 4, using 'F' instead.
explanation:
5.
오 (五)
O
Five (5) — Sino-Korean
'오전' = AM (before noon), '오후' = PM (after noon) — both use '오'.
explanation:
6.
육 (六)
Yuk
Six (6) — Sino-Korean
explanation:
7.
칠 (七)
Chil
Seven (7) — Sino-Korean
explanation:
8.
팔 (八)
Pal
Eight (8) — Sino-Korean
'팔' also means 'arm' — same Hangul, different meaning. Context is everything in Korean.
explanation:
9.
구 (九)
Gu
Nine (9) — Sino-Korean
'구' also means 'district' — Seoul is divided into 25 구 (districts).
explanation:
10.
십 (十)
Sip
Ten (10) — Sino-Korean
Teens are logical: 십일 (11), 십이 (12)... up to 십구 (19). Much simpler than English!
explanation:
💯 큰 숫자 — Bigger Numbers
11.
열하나 (native)
Yeolhana
Eleven (11) — Native Korean
Native Korean tens: 열 (10), 스물 (20), 서른 (30), 마흔 (40), 쉰 (50), 예순 (60), 일흔 (70), 여든 (80), 아흔 (90).
explanation:
12.
스물 (native)
Seumul
Twenty (20) — Native Korean
Native 20 = 스물. Before a noun, it shortens: 스무 살 (20 years old), not 스물 살.
explanation:
13.
이십 (Sino)
Isip
Twenty (20) — Sino-Korean
Use Sino-Korean for money: 이십만 원 (200,000 won). Use native for age: 스무 살.
explanation:
14.
백 (百)
Baek
One hundred (100)
200 = 이백, 300 = 삼백, 1,000 = 천, 10,000 = 만.
explanation:
15.
천 (千)
Cheon
One thousand (1,000)
10,000 = 만 (man). Korea uses 만 as a major unit — prices often in thousands of won.
explanation:
16.
만 (萬)
Man
Ten thousand (10,000)
Korean prices use 만 frequently: 오만 원 = 50,000 won (≈ €35). Large numbers are common!
explanation:
17.
얼마예요?
Eolmayeyo?
How much is it?
Very common in daily shopping. Polite version: '얼마입니까?'
explanation:
18.
만 원이에요.
Man wonieyo.
It's 10,000 won.
10,000 won ≈ €7. Common price for a basic meal or street food in Korea.
explanation:
19.
깎아 주세요.
Kkakka juseyo.
Please give me a discount.
Use at traditional markets (시장). Never in regular shops or chain stores — it would be rude.
explanation:
20.
티켓 두 장 주세요.
Tiket du jang juseyo.
Two tickets, please.
'장' = counter for flat things. '두' (native Korean 2) is used with counters, not '이' (Sino).
explanation:
🕐 시간 — Telling the Time
21.
지금 몇 시예요?
Jigeum myeot siyeyo?
What time is it now?
HOURS use native Korean numbers: 한 시 (1), 두 시 (2), 세 시 (3), 네 시 (4).
explanation:
22.
세 시예요.
Se siyeyo.
It's three o'clock.
Hours: 한/두/세/네/다섯/여섯/일곱/여덟/아홉/열/열한/열두 시 (1–12 o'clock).
explanation:
23.
세 시 반이에요.
Se si banieyo.
It's half past three. (3:30)
'반' = half. Hours use native numbers, minutes use Sino-Korean — a mixed system!
explanation:
24.
세 시 십오 분이에요.
Se si sibo bunieyo.
It's 3:15.
Hours = native (세 시). Minutes = Sino-Korean (십오 분). Classic Korean mixed system!
explanation:
25.
오전에.
Ojeone.
In the morning. (AM)
'오전' = AM. '오후' = PM. Both Sino-Korean. '에' is the time particle.
explanation:
26.
오후에.
Ohue.
In the afternoon. (PM)
'오후 세 시에' = at 3 PM. '에' marks the time in a sentence.
explanation:
27.
오늘.
Oneul.
Today.
'오늘 저녁에' = tonight. '오늘 아침에' = this morning.
explanation:
28.
내일.
Naeil.
Tomorrow.
'내일 아침에' = tomorrow morning. '내일 저녁에' = tomorrow evening.
explanation:
📅 요일 — Days of the Week
29.
월요일.
Woryoil.
Monday.
월 = moon. Korean days: Moon, Fire, Water, Wood, Gold, Earth, Sun — same as Japanese!
explanation:
30.
화요일.
Hwayoil.
Tuesday.
화 = fire. '화산' (volcano) = fire mountain. The character appears in many words.
explanation:
31.
수요일.
Suyoil.
Wednesday.
수 = water. '수영장' (swimming pool) uses the same water character.
explanation:
32.
목요일.
Mogyoil.
Thursday.
목 = wood/tree. Thursday (목요일) is a popular night for socialising in Korean cities.
explanation:
33.
금요일.
Geumyoil.
Friday.
'불금' (fire-Friday) = TGIF in Korea. Friday nights are very lively in cities like Seoul.
explanation:
34.
토요일.
Toyoil.
Saturday.
토 = earth. 주말 (jumal) = weekend. Koreans work hard but also play hard on weekends!
explanation:
35.
일요일.
Iryoil.
Sunday.
일 = sun. The full Korean week: 월화수목금토일 — same as Chinese and Japanese!
explanation:
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