Korean Numbers: Native vs Sino-Korean, Explained
Written and reviewed by Jun and Jin, native Korean speakers
Published · Updated · How we write & review
After this page, you can choose the right number system — native Korean or Sino-Korean — for the situation you are in.
10-second answer
The short answer
Korean has two complete number systems used for different things. Native Korean numbers (하나 hana, 둘 dul, 셋 set…) count objects, people, and age. Sino-Korean numbers (일 il, 이 i, 삼 sam…), borrowed from Chinese, are used for dates, money, phone numbers, and minutes. Which system applies depends entirely on WHAT you're counting, not personal choice.
Quick check — did that land?
1. Which number system do you use for someone's age?
한 시에 만나요. 한 시간 기다렸어요. 시는 시각, 시간은 얼마나 오래인지 말해요.
The Two Systems, Side by Side
| 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) |
| 10 | 열 (yeol) | 십 (sip) |
| 20 | 스물 (seumul) | 이십 (isip) |
Native Korean numbers only go smoothly up to 99 in everyday use — for anything larger (hundreds, thousands), Korean switches to Sino-Korean numbers regardless of context.
To keep both systems in front of you, print our free Korean numbers chart, with native handwriting for 1 to 10.
See also: Korean particles: the complete guide
Which System for What
| Use | System | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Counting objects/people (with counters) | Native | 사과 세 개 (three apples) — 세 (native "three") |
| Age | Native | 저는 스물다섯 살이에요 (I'm 25) — 스물다섯 (native "25") |
| Time — the HOUR | Native | 세 시 (3 o'clock) — 세 (native) |
| Time — the MINUTE | Sino-Korean | 삼십 분 (30 minutes) — 삼십 (Sino "30") |
| Dates (month/day/year) | Sino-Korean | 삼월 십오일 (March 15th) |
| Money | Sino-Korean | 오천 원 (5,000 won) |
| Phone numbers | Sino-Korean | read digit by digit in Sino-Korean |
Telling time is the classic trap: the HOUR uses native numbers, the MINUTE uses Sino-Korean, in the same sentence — 세 시 삼십 분 (3:30) mixes both systems on purpose.
Reading a Street-Stall Price Board
A price board shows both number systems working side by side. This stall lists 과일쥬스 (fruit juice) at 5,000, 슬러시 (slush) at 3,000 and 컵과일 (fruit in a cup) at 4,000원. Prices are always Sino-Korean: 오천 원 (ocheon won), 삼천 원 (samcheon won), 사천 원 (sacheon won). If you need the question for this, it's 얼마예요? (eolmayeyo?).
Two things to notice. Written prices often leave out 원 (won) — the banner just says 5,000 — but when people say a price out loud, they almost always add 원. And the moment you count the items, you switch systems: two slushies are 슬러시 두 개 (du gae, native Korean), and they cost 육천 원 (yukcheon won, Sino-Korean). One sentence, two number systems.
Spelling bonus: the board writes 쥬스, a spelling you'll see on a lot of signs, but the standard spelling in the dictionary is 주스 (juseu).
슬러시 두 개 주세요.
seulleosi du gae juseyo.
Two slushies, please.
두 개에 육천 원이에요.
du gae-e yukcheon wonieyo.
That's 6,000 won for two.
과일주스 하나, 컵과일 하나 주세요.
gwailjuseu hana, keopgwail hana juseyo.
One fruit juice and one cup of fruit, please.
Quick Examples
커피 두 잔 주세요.
keopi du jan juseyo.
Two coffees, please.
두 (native "two") + 잔 (counter for cups/glasses).
이거 오천 원이에요.
igeo ocheon won-ieyo.
This is 5,000 won.
오천 (Sino "5,000") for money.
지금 네 시 십 분이에요.
jigeum ne si sip bun-ieyo.
It's 4:10 right now.
네 (native "four") for the hour, 십 (Sino "ten") for the minutes.
Common Mistakes
Mistake #1 — Using Sino-Korean for age or object counts
삼 살 instead of 세 살 (three years old) is a very common beginner slip — age uses native numbers.
Mistake #2 — Forgetting the hour/minute split when telling time
The hour and minute genuinely use different number systems in the same phrase — it feels odd at first but becomes automatic with practice.
Quick Answers
When do I use native Korean numbers and when Sino-Korean?
Use native numbers (하나 hana, 둘 dul…) for counting objects and people with counters, for age, and for the hour. Use Sino-Korean numbers (일 il, 이 i…) for dates, money, phone numbers and minutes. What you are counting decides it, not personal choice.
Why is “three years old” 세 살 (se sal) and not 삼 살 (sam sal)?
Age uses native numbers, so it is 세 살 (se sal). 삼 살 is a very common beginner slip.
How do I say 3:10 in Korean?
The hour is native and the minute is Sino-Korean in the same phrase: 세 시 십 분 (se si sip bun). It feels odd at first but becomes automatic with practice.
Mini Quiz
2 short questions — about 1 minute
2. 지금 세 시 삼십 분이에요 (It's 3:30). Why does this mix two systems?
3. Which system is used for prices/money?
Part of Korean Phrases for Travelers
Part of Essential Korean Vocabulary: Numbers, Days, Months & Colors
Related Knowledge
Learn Next
Now that you know the two number systems, put them to use with the single most useful shopping phrase in Korean.
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