Korean Dictionary
How to say "Thousand" in Korean
“Thousand” in Korean is 천 (pronounced "cheon").
천
cheon
Usage & Context
The Sino-Korean number for thousand, used in formal contexts, prices, and large numbers. This is the standard way to express thousands in Korean.
Example Sentence
책이 천 권 있어요.
There are one thousand books.
How to use 천 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Thousand” is 천, romanized as cheon.
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 천.
Pronunciation Guide
"천" (cheon) sounds like "chun" in the English word "chunk," but with a softer 'ch' sound, similar to the 'ch' in "church." The 'eo' vowel is pronounced like the 'u' in "but."
More Example Sentences
Stating a common price for an everyday item like coffee.
이 커피는 천 원이에요.
This coffee is one thousand won.
A poetic or imaginative statement about counting many things.
천 개의 별을 세었어요.
I counted a thousand stars.
Describing the historical significance of a place.
천 년의 역사를 가진 도시예요.
It's a city with a thousand years of history.
Cultural Context
'천' is a very common number in daily Korean life, especially when dealing with prices in Korean Won (KRW). Many everyday items, like a cup of coffee or a small snack, often cost a few thousand won. Understanding '천' is crucial for basic transactions and understanding prices in Korea, as it's a frequently used unit.
Editorial note
We review entries like 천 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
천만에요.
You're welcome. (Literally 'ten million things')
천 번
A thousand times.
천 리 길도 한 걸음부터.
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. (Proverb)
Related Expressions
일천
ilcheon
One thousand (more explicit, less common)
백
baek
Hundred
만
man
Ten thousand
천 원
cheon won
One thousand won
More Numbers and Time Words
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