Korean Numbers and Time Words & Phrases

To count from one to ten using native Korean numbers, you say: 하나 (hana), 둘 (dul), 셋 (set), 넷 (net), 다섯 (daseot), 여섯 (yeoseot), 일곱 (ilgop), 여덟 (yeodeolp), 아홉 (ahop), and 열 (yeol). These are primarily used for counting objects, people, and for stating age. Remember that the first four numbers often change form when used with counters.

Korean uses two number systems: Native Korean and Sino-Korean. Native Korean numbers, like 하나 (hana) and 둘 (dul), count items, people, hours, and age up to 99. Sino-Korean numbers, such as 일 (il) and 이 (i), are for dates, money, minutes, phone numbers, and numbers 100 and above.

To tell time in Korean, you generally use native Korean numbers for the hour and Sino-Korean numbers for the minutes. For example, "one o'clock" would use 하나 (hana) for one, and "ten minutes" would use 십 (sip, Sino-Korean for ten) for the minutes. Remember to add 시 (si) for hours and 분 (bun) for minutes.

A common mistake is not using the correct number form with counters. Native Korean numbers like 하나 (hana), 둘 (dul), 셋 (set), and 넷 (net) change to 한 (han), 두 (du), 세 (se), and 네 (ne) respectively when followed by a counter word such as 명 (myeong, for people) or 개 (gae, for items).

To ask someone's age, you can say 몇 살이에요? (myeot sarieyo?). When stating your age, you use native Korean numbers followed by 살 (sal). For example, if you are "twenty-seven" years old, you would say 스물일곱 살 (seumulilgop sal). Remember the first four numbers change form with 살.