Korean utilizes two distinct number systems in everyday life.

You’ll need to learn both systems to become fluent in the language.

The first system is Sino-Korean, which is based on the Chinese language.

The second system is Native Korean, which originated entirely in Korea.

Knowing which system to use depends on what exactly you’re trying to count.

This guide will explain both number systems and show you exactly when to use them.

The Sino-Korean number system

The Sino-Korean number system is derived from Chinese characters.

You can think of this system as the “mathematical” way to count in Korean.

Sino-Korean numbers are incredibly easy to learn because they follow a strict, logical pattern.

Once you learn the numbers from one to ten, you can count all the way up to 99 with ease.

Here’s an HTML table showing the Sino-Korean numbers from one to ten:

To count past ten, you simply stack these numbers together.

For example, the number 11 is just ten (십) plus one (일), which makes 십일 (sibil).

The number 20 is just two (이) multiplied by ten (십), making 이십 (isip).

The number 25 is two (이), ten (십), and five (오), making 이십오 (isibo).

This stacking logic continues infinitely into the thousands and millions.

The Native Korean number system

The Native Korean system is entirely indigenous to the Korean peninsula.

This system is primarily used for counting physical objects and people.

Unlike the Sino-Korean system, Native Korean numbers require you to memorize separate words for the “tens” units (20, 30, 40, etc.).

Another important rule is that the Native Korean system only goes up to 99.

For numbers 100 and above, Koreans exclusively use the Sino-Korean system.

Here are the Native Korean numbers from one to ten:

Just like the Sino-Korean system, you stack numbers to create numbers like 11 or 12.

The number 11 is ten (열) plus one (하나), making 열하나 (yeol-hana).

However, you must memorize distinct words for the larger tens.

Here are the Native Korean tens:

When combining these, 21 becomes 스물하나 (seumul-hana) and 35 becomes 서른다섯 (seoreun-daseot).

You must also know that the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, and 20 change their spelling slightly when placed in front of a counter word.

하나 becomes 한 (han).

둘 becomes 두 (du).

셋 becomes 세 (se).

넷 becomes 네 (ne).

스물 becomes 스무 (seumu).

When to use Sino-Korean numbers

Sino-Korean numbers are used for concepts related to math, measurements, and formal sequences.

If the number feels like a label or a mathematical figure, you’ll likely use the Sino-Korean system.

Here are the specific situations where Sino-Korean numbers are required:

• Money and currency: Prices are always stated in Sino-Korean numbers.
• Dates: Years, months, and days of the month use this system.
• Minutes and seconds: Telling the exact minute and second of the time requires Sino-Korean numbers.
• Phone numbers: Reading out a string of digits is done with this system.
• Measurements: Distance, weight, and temperature use Sino-Korean numbers.

Here are some examples of Sino-Korean numbers in action.

When to use Native Korean numbers

Native Korean numbers are used when counting physical things in the world around you.

You’ll almost always use a “counter word” attached to the end of a Native Korean number.

Here are the specific situations where Native Korean numbers are required:

• Physical objects: Counting apples, books, cars, or tickets requires Native numbers and a counter word.
• People: Counting the number of people in a room or a group.
• Age: Stating how many years old someone is.
• Hours: When telling time, the hour uses the Native system (while the minutes use the Sino-Korean system).

As mentioned earlier, remember to drop the last letter of 1, 2, 3, 4, and 20 when attaching them to a counter word.

Here are some examples of Native Korean numbers in action.

Because hours use the Native system and minutes use the Sino-Korean system, telling time perfectly demonstrates both systems together.

For example, 3:20 is 세 시 이십 분 (se si isip bun), which translates directly to “three (Native) hour, twenty (Sino) minute”.

Both North and South Korea strictly follow this rule of dividing the hour and minute between the two systems.

How to count zero in Korean

There are two different words for the number zero in Korean.

Both of these words belong to the Sino-Korean number system.

The first word is 영 (yeong).

This word is used for math, temperature, and sports scores.

The second word is 공 (gong).

This word literally translates to “blank” or “empty” in Chinese characters.

You’ll use 공 (gong) exclusively when reading out phone numbers.