The numbers 1 through 10 in Korean, using the native Korean numbering system often used for counting items or people, are presented below.
Native Korean Numbers (1-10)
Korean utilizes two distinct counting systems: the native Korean system and the Sino-Korean system. The numbers listed in the table below belong to the native Korean system, which is commonly used for counting objects, people, age, and hours.
| Number | Korean Word | Romanization |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 하나 | Ha-Na |
| 2 | 둘 | dool |
| 3 | 셋 | seht |
| 4 | 넷 | neht |
| 5 | 다섯 | da-Sut |
| 6 | 여섯 | yeo-seot |
| 7 | 일곱 | il-gob |
| 8 | 여덟 | yeo-deol |
| 9 | 아홉 | a-hob |
| 10 | 열 | yeol |
When to Use Native Korean Numbers
Native Korean numbers are essential for various everyday situations. They are primarily used for:
- Counting individual items or people: For instance, saying "two books" or "five students."
- Stating one's age: For example, "I am twenty years old."
- Indicating the hour of the day: Used when telling time, such as "two o'clock" or "eight o'clock."
- Counting within the range of 1 to 99: While they can go higher, they are most frequently used for numbers up to 99 before the Sino-Korean system, or a combination of both, becomes more prevalent for larger figures.
Understanding the Two Korean Number Systems
In contrast to the native Korean system, the Sino-Korean number system is derived from Chinese characters. This system is applied in different contexts, including:
- Dates: Such as years, months, and days.
- Money: When stating monetary amounts.
- Addresses and Phone Numbers: For numerical identification.
- Minutes and Seconds: When telling time beyond the hour.
- Numbers 100 and above: Primarily used for larger numerical values.
Examples of Native Korean Number Usage:
- To say "two dogs," you would use 강아지 두 마리 (gang-aji du mari), where 두 is the native Korean word for "two" (a modified form of 둘).
- To count "three apples," you would say 사과 세 개 (sagwa se gae), using 세, the native form of "three" (셋).
- If someone is "ten years old," you would express it as 열 살 (yeol sal), utilizing 열 for "ten."
For more detailed information on Korean counting systems and their various applications, you can explore comprehensive guides to Korean numbers and grammar provided by language learning resources.
