What is the shortened counting form of 하나 (one) before a counter word?

하나 shortens to 한 when it directly precedes a counter like 개 or 명.

What is "seven" in Sino-Korean?

칠 is the Sino-Korean form; 일곱 is native Korean.

친구 세 명 means "three friends." What is 세 short for?

셋 shortens to 세 before the people-counter 명.

Intermediate

Korean Numbers 1 to 10: Both Systems Side by Side

After this page, you can recognize and correctly use Korean Numbers 1 to 10.

10-Second Answer

Here are Korean's two full number systems from 1 to 10, side by side. If you haven't already, read the native-vs-Sino comparison page first for WHEN to use each — this page is the practical drill chart to memorize both lists.

The Full 1–10 Chart

Number	Native Korean	Sino-Korean
1	하나 (hana)	일 (il)
2	둘 (dul)	이 (i)
3	셋 (set)	삼 (sam)
4	넷 (net)	사 (sa)
5	다섯 (daseot)	오 (o)
6	여섯 (yeoseot)	육 (yuk)
7	일곱 (ilgop)	칠 (chil)
8	여덟 (yeodeol)	팔 (pal)
9	아홉 (ahop)	구 (gu)
10	열 (yeol)	십 (sip)

The Shortened Counting Forms

When native Korean numbers combine with a counter word (like 개, 명, 시), the first four numbers actually shorten: 하나→한, 둘→두, 셋→세, 넷→네.

사과 한 개

sagwa han gae

one apple

하나 → 한 before 개 (the generic counter).

커피 두 잔

keopi du jan

two coffees

둘 → 두 before 잔 (cup/glass counter).

친구 세 명

chingu se myeong

three friends

셋 → 세 before 명 (people counter).

This shortened set is exactly what you saw quietly at work on the native-vs-Sino comparison page's example (두 잔) and on the ordering-food page (이 인분 uses the Sino form since 인분 is a Sino-Korean counter) — now you have the full pattern spelled out.

Quick Drill Sentences

일, 이, 삼, 사, 오...

One, two, three, four, five... (counting up, Sino-Korean — the way Koreans count seconds or steps)

하나, 둘, 셋!

One, two, three! (native Korean — the countdown before a group photo)

Common Mistakes

Mistake #1 — Not knowing the shortened counting forms

한/두/세/네 (not 하나/둘/셋/넷) are what actually attach before counters — a very common early stumble.

Mistake #2 — Mixing up which system for which context

Revisit the native-vs-Sino comparison page any time you're unsure — age, objects, and hours use native; money, dates, and minutes use Sino-Korean.

Mini Quiz

1. What is the shortened counting form of 하나 (one) before a counter word?
2. What is "seven" in Sino-Korean?
3. 친구 세 명 means "three friends." What is 세 short for?

Related Knowledge

Learn Next

What Does 컴백 (Comeback) Mean in K-pop?

Numbers down cold — time for a lighter detour into K-pop vocabulary.

Will you remember this tomorrow?

Add it to your review queue — the daily session brings it back before you forget.

Start today's study →

Last updated: 2026-08-10 · Written and reviewed by a native Korean speaker.