Korean Numbers 1 to 10: Both Systems Side by Side
Written and reviewed by Jun and Jin, native Korean speakers
Published · How we write & review
After this page, you can count from 1 to 10 in both native and Sino-Korean numbers, including the shortened counting forms.
10-second answer
The short answer
Korean numbers 1 to 10 come in two sets. Native Korean: 하나 (hana), 둘 (dul), 셋 (set), 넷 (net), 다섯 (daseot), 여섯 (yeoseot), 일곱 (ilgop), 여덟 (yeodeol), 아홉 (ahop), 열 (yeol). Sino-Korean: 일 (il), 이 (i), 삼 (sam), 사 (sa), 오 (o), 육 (yuk), 칠 (chil), 팔 (pal), 구 (gu), 십 (sip). Native counts things and ages; Sino-Korean reads dates, money and minutes.
Quick check — did that land?
1. What is the shortened counting form of 하나 (one) before a counter word?
하나, 둘, 셋! Here's the twist: Korean has two number systems.
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) |
For a printable version of this chart, download the free Korean numbers chart (PDF).
See also: Korean Numbers: Native vs Sino-Korean
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)
For a quick memory check, the Korean Word Match game has a native-number deck (하나 to 여덟).
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
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?
Save it — your daily review brings it back right before you'd forget. No account needed.