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Unit 12: Sino-Korean Numbers (일, 이, 삼...)

Korean has two entirely different number systems: the Sino-Korean system (derived from Chinese) and the Native Korean system. You must learn both, as they are used for completely different things!

Today, we will learn the Sino-Korean numbers.

1. When to use Sino-Korean Numbers

Sino-Korean numbers are used for: * Dates (Years, Months, Days) * Money / Currency * Phone numbers * Minutes and Seconds * Addresses and Floors of a building

2. Numbers 1 to 10

You must memorize these 10 numbers first. Once you know 1-10, the rest is incredibly easy.

1 = 일 (il) 2 = 이 (i) 3 = 삼 (sam) 4 = 사 (sa) 5 = 오 (o) 6 = 육 (yuk) 7 = 칠 (chil) 8 = 팔 (pal) 9 = 구 (gu) 10 = 십 (sip)

3. Numbers 11 to 99

The Sino-Korean number system is very logical. It works like math!

To say 11, you just say "10 + 1". * 11 = 십 (10) + 일 (1) = 십일 [si-bil]

To say 20, you just say "2 x 10". * 20 = 이 (2) + 십 (10) = 이십 [i-sip]

To say 35, you just say "3 x 10 + 5". * 35 = 삼 (3) + 십 (10) + 오 (5) = 삼십오 [sam-si-bo]

More examples: * 18 = 십팔 * 50 = 오십 * 99 = 구십구

4. 100, 1,000, and 10,000

Korean counts in larger units than English. Instead of thinking in thousands, Korean thinks in ten-thousands.

  • 100 = 백 (baek)
  • 1,000 = 천 (cheon)
  • 10,000 = 만 (man)

To say 300, it's just 3 x 100: 삼백 (sam-baek) To say 5,000, it's just 5 x 1000: 오천 (o-cheon)

Summary

  • Memorize 1-10: 일, 이, 삼, 사, 오, 육, 칠, 팔, 구, 십.
  • Combine them like math blocks to make larger numbers!
  • Use for Money, Dates, Phone numbers, and Minutes.