Lesson 10 · Numbers, Time & Counters
Hyeju’s Beginner Korean Vocabulary · Lesson 10
Numbers, Time & Counters
Build your number vocabulary for ordering drinks, counting books, and telling the time.
Today’s Goal
Korean uses two number systems. Learn the numbers 1–10 in each system and twelve useful counting, time, date, and money words. You do not need to master every combination in one sitting.
🌿 Hyeju’s Note · Study in Two Short Rounds
First learn 1–10 and the item counters. Then return to the clock, date, and money words. Grammar Lesson 10 shows how to combine them.
Part 1 · Two Number Systems
| Number | Native Korean | Sino-Korean |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 하나 | 일 |
| 2 | 둘 | 이 |
| 3 | 셋 | 삼 |
| 4 | 넷 | 사 |
| 5 | 다섯 | 오 |
| 6 | 여섯 | 육 |
| 7 | 일곱 | 칠 |
| 8 | 여덟 | 팔 |
| 9 | 아홉 | 구 |
| 10 | 열 | 십 |
Native Korean is used for many everyday counts, clock hours, and age with 살. Sino-Korean is used for minutes, dates, and money. The counter or unit helps you choose.
Part 2 · Counters & Units
숫자
sutja
number; numeral
The numbers used for counting or writing amounts.
개
gae
general counter for items
Use native Korean numbers: 한 개, 두 개, 세 개.
명
myeong
counter for people
Use native Korean numbers.
권
gwon
counter for books
Use for books and bound volumes.
잔
jan
counter for cups or glasses
Count drinks by the cup or glass.
병
byeong
counter for bottles
Count drinks by the bottle.
시
si
o’clock; hour on the clock
Use native Korean numbers for clock hours.
분
bun
minute
Use Sino-Korean numbers for minutes.
월
wol
month in a date
Use Sino-Korean numbers; June and October have special readings.
일
il
day in a date
Use Sino-Korean numbers for the day of the month.
원
won
won
Use Sino-Korean numbers for Korean currency amounts.
살
sal
years old (age)
Use native Korean numbers: 한 살, 두 살, 스무 살.
🌿 Hyeju’s Note · Example Dates and Prices
The dates, prices, and ages in this lesson are practice examples. They do not describe the reader or a live product price. N 주세요 is a useful request meaning “N, please.”
Quick Reference
| Use | Words | System |
|---|---|---|
| Count things and people | 개 · 명 · 권 · 잔 · 병 | Native Korean |
| Clock hours and age | 시 · 살 | Native Korean |
| Minutes, dates, money | 분 · 월 · 일 · 원 | Sino-Korean |
Mini Practice
Check the answers
1. 삼
2. 셋
3. 권
4. 명
5. Native Korean
6. Sino-Korean
7. 원
Today’s Key Point
Learn both sets: 하나·둘·셋 and 일·이·삼.
개 counts general items; 명 counts people; 권 counts books.
시 uses native Korean; 분 uses Sino-Korean for time.
월·일·원 use Sino-Korean numbers.
Hyeju Word Match
KOREAN VOCABULARY · BEGINNER
Words from the Korean Vocabulary lessons · Hyeju Language Lab
M.A. in Korean Language Education · Certified Korean language teacher
About the educator →