Korean Numbers: Native vs Sino-Korean, Explained
10-Second Answer
Korean has two complete number systems used for different things. Native Korean numbers (하나, 둘, 셋…) count objects, people, and age. Sino-Korean numbers (일, 이, 삼…), 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.
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.
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
1. Which number system do you use for someone's age?
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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Start today's study →Last updated: 2026-08-10 · Written and reviewed by a native Korean speaker.