Lesson 2 Notes
π°π· Beginner Korean Lesson Notes: Lesson 2
In Korean, there are two distinct number systems that are used in different situations:
- Native Korean Numbers (κ³ μ μ΄ μ)
- Sino-Korean Numbers (νμμ΄ μ)
Native Korean Numbers (κ³ μ μ΄ μ)
These are used for counting general items, people's ages, and the hour in time. Native Korean numbers are typically only used for numbers 1 through 99. For 100 and above, Sino-Korean numbers are used instead.
Numbers 1-10
| Number | Korean |
|---|---|
| 1 | νλ |
| 2 | λ |
| 3 | μ |
| 4 | λ· |
| 5 | λ€μ― |
| 6 | μ¬μ― |
| 7 | μΌκ³± |
| 8 | μ¬λ |
| 9 | μν |
| 10 | μ΄ |
Tens
- 20: μ€λ¬Ό
- 30: μλ₯Έ
- 40: λ§ν
- 50: μ°
- 60: μμ
- 70: μΌν
- 80: μ¬λ
- 90: μν
Combining Numbers: To form numbers like 11, 12, etc., you simply add the single-digit number after μ΄ (10). For example, 11 is μ΄νλ (10 + 1).
Sino-Korean Numbers (νμμ΄ μ)
Derived from Chinese characters, these are used for dates, money, phone numbers, minutes and seconds, and any number 100 or higher.
Numbers 1-10
| Number | Korean |
|---|---|
| 1 | μΌ |
| 2 | μ΄ |
| 3 | μΌ |
| 4 | μ¬ |
| 5 | μ€ |
| 6 | μ‘ |
| 7 | μΉ |
| 8 | ν |
| 9 | ꡬ |
| 10 | μ |
Higher Numbers
- 100: λ°±
- 1,000: μ²
- 10,000: λ§
- 1,000,000: λ°±λ§
Combining Numbers: These are formed logically by combining the larger units. For example, 20 is μ΄μ (two-ten), and 732 is μΉ λ°±μΌμμ΄ (seven-hundred-three-ten-two).
When to Use Which System π§
| Situation | Use Native Korean Numbers | Use Sino-Korean Numbers |
|---|---|---|
| Age | μ€λ¬΄ μ΄ (20 years old) | Not usually used |
| Counting People | λ λͺ (2 people) | Not used |
| Counting Things | μ¬κ³Ό λ€μ― κ° (5 apples) | Not used |
| Time (Hours) | μΈ μ (3 o'clock) | Not used |
| Time (Minutes/Seconds) | Not used | μ€ λΆ (5 minutes) |
| Dates (Y/M/D) | Not used | 2025λ 9μ 1μΌ |
| Phone Numbers | Not used | 곡μΌκ³΅ (010) |
| Money / Price | Not used | μ€μ² μ (β©5,000) |
| School Grades | Not used | μΌνλ (1st grade) |
Korean Counters
When counting anything in Korean, you use a specific "counter" word after the number. The counter determines which number system to use.
| Counter | Meaning / Usage | Number System | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| κ° | General things | Native Korean | μ¬κ³Ό μΈ κ° (3 apples) |
| λͺ | People | Native Korean | νμ λ λͺ (2 students) |
| μ΄ | Age (years old) | Native Korean | μ€λ¬΄ μ΄ (20 years old) |
| μ | Hour (time) | Native Korean | μ΄λ μ (12 o'clock) |
| λΆ | Minutes | Sino-Korean | μμ€ λΆ (15 minutes) |
| μ΄ | Seconds | Sino-Korean | μΌμ μ΄ (30 seconds) |
| λ§λ¦¬ | Animals | Native Korean | κ°μμ§ λ λ§λ¦¬ (2 dogs) |
| κΆ | Books | Native Korean | μ± μΈ κΆ (3 books) |
| μ | Cups, glasses | Native Korean | μ»€νΌ λ μ (2 cups) |
| λ³ | Bottles | Native Korean | λ¬Ό λ λ³ (2 bottles) |