Language/Korean/Vocabulary/Count-to-10

Korean Vocabulary - Count to 10

Hi Korean learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn how to count to ten in Korean. Knowing how to count in Korean is crucial if you want to master the language. It can also be valuable in everyday life, like when you go shopping or need to understand the time.

To improve your Korean Vocabulary, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!

Korean Numbers

Korean numbers have two types, Sino-Korean and Native Korean. Sino-Korean numbers are used for the high numbers, such as those used in phone numbers, addresses, prices, and dates. Native Korean numbers, on the other hand, are used for the low numbers, such as the numbers you will learn in this lesson.

Counting to 10

Let's start with the basic numbers from one to ten in Korean:

Korean	Pronunciation	English
일 (ir)	[il]	One
이 (i)	[i]	Two
삼 (sam)	[sam]	Three
사 (sa)	[sa]	Four
오 (o)	[o]	Five
육 (yuk)	[juk]	Six
칠 (chil)	[chil]	Seven
팔 (pal)	[pal]	Eight
구 (gu)	[gu]	Nine
십 (ship)	[ship]	Ten

It is important to know that the "l" sound in the numbers 4, 7, and 8 is pronounced like an "n" sound. Therefore, 사 (sa) is pronounced [sang], 칠 (chil) is pronounced [chil], and 팔 (pal) is pronounced [p'al].

Talking about Age

In Korean culture, the way you address someone depends on their age relative to your own age. Koreans believe that age determines their social status, which affects how they speak to and interact with each other.

To ask someone about their age, use the following structure:

• "몇 살이에요?" (myeot sal-ieyo?) means "How old are you?"

Here is an example dialogue:

• Person 1: 몇 살이에요? (myeot sal-ieyo?) ("How old are you?")
• Person 2: 저는 다섯 살이에요. (jeoneun daseot sal-ieyo.) ("I am five years old.")

Fun Facts

- Koreans have two methods of counting seconds - 척 (cheok) and 부 (bu). - The word for "eleven" in Korean is 열하나 (yeolhana), which literally means "ten and one". - The number four (4) is considered unlucky in Korea because it is close in pronunciation to the word for "death". Some Korean elevators do not have a fourth floor or a button for it. - In South Korea, when a baby is born, they are automatically considered one year old.

I hope this lesson was helpful! Keep practicing counting with friends and family, and don't forget to check out more Korean vocabulary on Vocabulary page!

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➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎

Sources

• Counting Korean Numbers: Count 1-10 in Native and Sino Korean ...
• How to Count to 10 in Korean: 9 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow
• Easy Korean Numbers: Counting in Korean from 1 - 100+

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