Korean Dictionary
How to say "Ten" in Korean
“Ten” in Korean is 열 (pronounced "yeol").
열
yeol
Usage & Context
The native Korean number for ten, used in casual counting. The Sino-Korean 십 (sip) is used in formal contexts, phone numbers, and mathematical expressions.
Example Sentence
사탕이 열 개 있어요.
There are ten candies.
How to use 열 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Ten” is 열, romanized as yeol.
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 열.
Pronunciation Guide
"Yeol" is pronounced like "YUL" or "YOL." The 'yeo' vowel is similar to the 'yo' in "yogurt" or "yonder." The final 'l' sound is a clear 'l', similar to the 'l' in "bell" or "tall."
More Example Sentences
Stating a deadline for a task.
열 시까지 숙제를 끝내야 해요.
I have to finish my homework by ten o'clock.
Talking about the quantity of books read.
열 권의 책을 읽었어요.
I read ten books.
Describing a child's age and skill.
열 살짜리 아이가 피아노를 잘 쳐요.
A ten-year-old child plays the piano well.
Cultural Context
"열" is the native Korean number for ten, used with native Korean counters for items, people, animals, and age. It is distinct from the Sino-Korean "십 (sip)," which is used for phone numbers, dates, minutes, and in mathematical contexts. Mastering the distinction between native and Sino-Korean numbers is crucial for natural communication and avoiding common learner mistakes, as using the wrong system can sound awkward to native speakers.
Editorial note
We review entries like 열 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
열 개
ten items (general counter)
열 명
ten people
열 살
ten years old
Related Expressions
십
sip
ten (Sino-Korean number)
아홉
ahop
nine (native Korean number)
스물
seumul
twenty (native Korean number)
열 시
yeol si
ten o'clock
More Numbers and Time Words
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