Korean Numbers: Native vs Sino-Korean, Explained
Written and reviewed by Jun and Jin, native Korean speakers
Published · 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?
한국 숫자. You are confused with Korean Number System, right? Here's a simple solution for you.
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.
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.
Mini Quiz
2. 지금 세 시 삼십 분이에요 (It's 3:30). Why does this mix two systems?
3. Which system is used for prices/money?
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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