Korean has two full sets of numbers used side by side. Today you'll learn both, and the simple rule for knowing which one to reach for.
This sounds intimidating, but the split is very consistent once you see the pattern.
Sino-Korean numbers (일,이,삼...) came from Chinese. Native Korean numbers (하나,둘,셋...) are original Korean words. Both are used constantly — just for different things.
Counting people, things, and age → Native Korean. Money, phone numbers, and math → Sino-Korean. (Time splits between both — that's Lesson 7.)
Used for money, math, and phone numbers. Tap 🔊 to hear each one.
🔊 Uses your browser's built-in Korean voice — no download needed.
Sino-Korean numbers stack like place values: 십 (10), 백 (100), 천 (1,000), 만 (10,000). Type any number below and hear how Korean reads it.
Used for counting people, things, and age. These are the numbers you first saw in Lesson 2.
11–20 follow a simple pattern: 열 (10) + the ones digit. Tap to hear each one.
A counter word after the number tells you what's being counted — and which number system to use.
Age uses Native Korean + 살. Watch: 1, 2, 3, 4, and 20 change shape before the counter — everything else stays the same.
Prices use Sino-Korean + 원 (won).
10 questions on reading numbers and ages correctly.