Home » Learn Korean Language » Learn Korean Numbers Guide

Learn Korean Numbers Guide

How to Write Korean Numbers?

The Korean language has two frequently used Korean number systems:

  • Sino Korean
  • Native Korean.

Understanding how to write both Korean number system should take very little time and effort to learn.

To Avoid your initial confusion on when and in what situation to use which number system I put together lists in which each Korean number system applies to.


Korean Sino-Korean Numbers

• For any number 100 or higher since Native Korean numbers only go up to 99.
• Counting any unit of time other than hours
• Measurements (kilometers, grams, liters, etc.)
• Phone numbers
• For creating the names of the months (number of month + ?)
• Money / currency
• Math

You basically write the Korean Characters in order. If the number is a double or triple digit number you write the Number times Position, Number times Position.

Korean Number Examples
Korean Number Examples

It’s actually pretty straightforward when it comes to learning how to use the Sino Korean number system. Pronouncing Sino Korean numbers is just as easy to learn.

Korean Numbers 1 to 10

 Image Name

Korean Sino-Korean Numbers 1 to 100

To illustrate what I mean, here is Sino Korean numbers 1 to 100.

Korean Numbers 1 to 100
Korean Numbers 1 to 100

Native Korean Numbers

When to use Native Korean
• Counting physical objects (including people) and usually followed by a count word.
• Years of age
• Hours
• Counting (in general)
• Counting months (but only when used with the native Korean word for month/moon: ?)

Native Korean Numbers are written exactly like they are written above.

It’s actually pretty straightforward when it comes to learning how to use the Native Korean number system. Pronouncing Native Korean numbers is just as easy to learn. To illustrate what I mean, here are Native Korean numbers 1 to 99.

You really just need to memorizes how to pronounce the base Native Korean Numbers then you can easily pronounce any Native Korean number. I personally choose to remember that Native Korean numbers follow a “number-position” type pattern. Example of what I mean..

Understanding how to write Korean numbers is really that simple to learn. Only takes an hour or two to fully memorizes the Korean number system.


Native Korean Numbers 1 to 100

Korean Numbers 1 to 100
Korean Numbers 1 to 100

You really just need to memorizes how to pronounce the base Sino Korean Numbers then you can easily pronounce any Sino Korean number. I personally choose to remember that Sino Korean numbers follow a “number-position” type pattern. Example of what I mean..

 Image Name
About Sally Morgan

My name is Sally Morgan, I'm American and currently a Language Teacher in New York State Schools for French and Spanish. I have studied Foreign Languages, translation and teaching at the Columbia University in New York. I lived for 3 years in Europe including France, UK and Italy.

I am a passionate linguist and love how speaking another language opens the doors of communication and therefore a whole world.

Please ask me any questions below

7 thoughts on “Learn Korean Numbers Guide”

  1. I am also a beginner. Based on the things that I have researched, some people say that after learning Hangeul and the consonant assimilation and linking of sounds, learning as many words to increase vocabulary is important. Because even if we do not know the grammar yet, native speakers can understand our intention or the message that we try to convey. I hope that helps.

    Reply

Leave a Comment