Korean Dictionary
How to say "Odd Number" in Korean
“Odd Number” in Korean is 홀수 (pronounced "Holsu").
홀수
Holsu
Usage & Context
홀수 means an odd number and is a basic mathematical term taught in Korean elementary schools. In Korean culture odd numbers are sometimes considered luckier than even numbers. Wedding gift amounts are traditionally given in odd numbers for this reason.
Example Sentence
1, 3, 5, 7, 9는 홀수예요.
1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 are odd numbers.
How to use 홀수 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Odd Number” is 홀수, romanized as Holsu.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 홀수.
Pronunciation Guide
홀 (hol) sounds like "hole" in English. 수 (su) sounds like "soo" in English. The two syllables are pronounced clearly and distinctly.
More Example Sentences
Explaining a cultural custom for wedding gifts.
결혼식 축의금은 보통 홀수로 맞춰서 내요.
Wedding congratulatory money is usually given in odd numbers.
Giving instructions for reading a document.
홀수 페이지를 먼저 읽어보세요.
Please read the odd-numbered pages first.
Explaining a parking rule.
주차 제한이 홀수 날에만 적용됩니다.
Parking restrictions apply only on odd-numbered days.
Cultural Context
In traditional Korean culture, odd numbers (홀수) are often associated with good fortune and completeness, while even numbers (짝수) can sometimes be seen as less auspicious, especially in certain contexts like funerals. This is why wedding gifts (축의금, chugeuigeum) are typically given in amounts that are odd numbers (e.g., 30,000 won, 50,000 won, 70,000 won). The number three, in particular, holds significant cultural importance.
Editorial note
We review entries like 홀수 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
홀수 날
odd-numbered day
홀수 페이지
odd-numbered page
홀수 번째
odd-numbered (in a sequence)
Related Expressions
짝수
jjaksu
even number (antonym)
숫자
sutja
number
정수
jeongsu
integer
양수
yangsu
positive number
More Numbers and Time Words
Master Korean with AI-Powered Learning
Practice Odd Number and 10,000+ words with native pronunciation and AI conversation.
