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Lesson · A1 · 10 min

Two Korean number systems: 1–10

Learn native and Sino-Korean numbers from 1 to 10, their common uses, and shortened forms before counters.

1–10 and counter forms

Native Korean 1–10

하나 둘 셋 넷 다섯 여섯 일곱 여덟 아홉 열

Sino-Korean 1–10

일 이 삼 사 오 육 칠 팔 구 십

Short forms before counters

한 개, 두 명, 세 마리, 네 권

Native 1–10 are 하나, 둘, 셋, 넷, 다섯, 여섯, 일곱, 여덟, 아홉, 열. They commonly count objects and people. Before counters, 하나, 둘, 셋, 넷 shorten to 한, 두, 세, 네: 한 개, 두 명. Sino-Korean 1–10 are 일, 이, 삼, 사, 오, 육, 칠, 팔, 구, 십 and commonly appear in dates, minutes, prices, and numbers. Actual choice depends on the counter and convention; telling time is taught next.

See them in sentences

사과가세 개 있어요.

There are three apples. 셋 becomes 세 before the counter 개.

가격은오천 원이에요.

The price is 5,000 won. Prices commonly use Sino-Korean numbers.

Two people:두 명 있어요.

Count people with 명.

Three cats:세 마리 있어요.

Count animals with 마리.

Four books:네 권 있어요.

Count books with 권.

Quick check

Which is the correct expression for “고유어 수 5”?

10-question grammar dictation

Two Korean number systems: 1–10

10-question grammar dictation →

Next lesson · 2

Telling time in Korean