Introduction

Why does Korean have two number systems? This question confuses most beginners.

I know how you feel. When I started learning Korean, numbers confused me too. I didn’t know which system to use when.

My name is Anna. I have TOPIK level 6. I’m not a native speaker. I learned Korean myself. Now I help others understand Korean numbers.

The good news? There are clear rules. Once you know them, it’s simple.

Let me explain both systems. I’ll show you when to use each one.

Why Two Number Systems?

Korean has two number systems: - Native Korean numbers (고유어) - Sino-Korean numbers (한자어)

Native Korean numbers come from old Korean. Sino-Korean numbers come from Chinese characters.

Both are used today. But for different things.

💡Interesting fact: for hundreds of years,Chinese characters were used for official documents, math, and science. This is why Sino-Korean numbers are still used for formal things even today.

Long ago:

• Native Korean numbers were used in everyday life,
• Sino-Korean numbers were used in school, government, money and for records.

Since both have been used widely and it’s ingrained deep in the Korean language, both were kept but used in different areas. 

💡Another interesting fact: Native Korean numbers usually stop at 99. Always always, you need to switch to Sino-Korean numbers for bigger numbers. This is one of the biggest reasons both systems still exist today.

🧠 Here’s a simple way to remember:

• Native Korean Numbers - counting people, things you can see, hours on the clock, etc
• Sino-Korean numbers - dates and years, money, Addresses, Phone numbers, minutes and seconds, big numbers. 

Here’s a Korean Number tool you can use to see how each number system is used with examples and pronunciation. 

Native Korean Numbers (1-10)

Start with these. They’re used for counting things.

Memorize these then numbers first, then you can build on that for bigger numbers. This is the basic and most important part to learn first.

Sino-Korean Numbers (1-10)

Sino-Korean numbers come from Chinese. They’re used for different things.

When to Use Native Korean Numbers

In order to actually remember all these rules, you need to practice, there is no shortcut for this. Make your own sentences, listen to daily life examples, pay attention next time you hear a number in your favorite K-drama or K-pop lyrics. The good news is, it’s not as hard as you think. You’ll get the hang of it after a few days. But don’t worry if you still make mistakes. Notice the mistake, correct it, practice and repeat.

Use native Korean numbers for: - Counting things (objects, people) - Age (when counting years) - Hours (telling time) - Counting in general

Examples:

• 사과 하나 (sagwa hana) - one apple 
• 친구 둘 (chingu dul) - two friends 
• 스무 살 (seumu sal) - twenty years old 
• 한 시 (han si) - one o’clock

When to Use Sino-Korean Numbers

Use Sino-Korean numbers for: - Dates (months, days, years) - Minutes (telling time) - Money - Phone numbers - Addresses - Large numbers

Examples:

• 일월 (irwol) - January (month 1) 
• 삼십 분 (samsip bun) - thirty minutes 
• 만 원 (man won) - ten thousand won 
• 이천이십육년 (icheon-isipnyuknyeon) - year 2026

Your task: Practice using Sino-Korean numbers for dates and time.

Goal: Use Sino-Korean numbers correctly.

Counting Things - Native Numbers

When counting things, use native numbers. But they change form.

Before nouns:

• 하나 → 한 (han) 
•  둘 → 두 (du) 
•  셋 → 세 (se) 
•  넷 → 네 (ne)

Examples:

• 한 개 (han gae) - one thing 
• 두 개 (du gae) - two things 
• 세 개 (se gae) - three things 
• 네 개 (ne gae) - four things

Telling Time - Both Systems

Time uses both systems. Hours use native numbers, while minutes use Sin-Korean. For seconds we also use Sino-Korean numbers.

Hours: Use native numbers 

• 한 시 (han si) - one o’clock 
• 두 시 (du si) - two o’clock 
• 세 시 (se si) - three o’clock

Minutes: Use Sino-Korean numbers 

• 십 분 (sip bun) - ten minutes 
• 이십 분 (isip bun) - twenty minutes 
• 삼십 분 (samsip bun) - thirty minutes

Full time:

• 한 시 십 분 (han si sip bun) - 1:10 
• 두 시 이십 분 (du si isip bun) - 2:20

Numbers Beyond 10

Once you know 1-10, you can build bigger numbers.

Native Korean (11-19):

Sino-Korean (11-19):

Summary

Let’s recap:

1. Korean has two number systems: native and Sino-Korean
2. Native numbers: counting things, age, hours
3. Sino-Korean numbers: dates, minutes, money, large numbers
4. Learn both systems
5. Practice using them in context

Numbers seem complicated at first. But with practice, they become natural.

What’s Next?

Now that you know numbers, you can:

• Tell time in Korean
• Talk about dates
• Count things
• Talk about money

Check out “Korean Time Expressions - Dates, Days, Months Explained” next.

Practice Exercises

Let’s practice. Take this quiz to see how much you remember so far. Share you result in the comments.

Have questions about numbers? Leave them in the comments. I’ll help you.

Good luck with your Korean learning. 화이팅!