How to use Korean Numbers
Exceptions
Exceptions to the rule
Although each number system does have specific uses, there are also instances where both numbers can be used for the same purpose. One such instance is when you count months.
Months
When we count months in Korean, we can use two different counter words – 개월 (gaewol) & 달 (dal). 개월 is based on Chinese characters, so we use Sino-Korean numbers, and 달 is a native Korean word, so we use native-Korean numbers.
Here are some examples:
One month – 일 개월 (il gaewol) / 한 달 (han dal)
Eight months – 팔 개월 (pal gaewol) / 여덟 달 (yeodeol dal)
Telling Time
Another exception to the rule is telling the time. When we tell the time in Korean, we actually use both Sino-Korean numbers and native-Korean numbers. Let’s say someone asks you the time, and it’s 2:35 in the afternoon. How would you answer?
시 (si) means ‘hour’, is the counter for hour, and we need a Native Korean number to read hours. So 2 o'clock will be 두 시 [du si] using Native Korean number for "two."
The counter for minutes is 분 (bun) and we need a Sino-Korean number to read minutes. So 35 minutes will be 삼십오 분 (samsiboh bun) using Sino-Korean number for "thirty five."
Then, put the word for “afternoon” at the beginning, which is 오후 (ohu), followed by the time.
All together it will be, 오후 두 시 삼십오 분 입니다. (Ohu du si samsiboh bun imnida) “It’s 2:35 in the afternoon.”
Additionally, the counter for seconds is 초 (cho).
Other’s example:
1:10 – 한시 십분 (hansi sibbun)
8:03 - 여덟시 삼분 (yeodeolsi sambun)
56 seconds – 오십육 초 (ohsibyook cho)
Although each number system does have specific uses, there are also instances where both numbers can be used for the same purpose. One such instance is when you count months.
Months
When we count months in Korean, we can use two different counter words – 개월 (gaewol) & 달 (dal). 개월 is based on Chinese characters, so we use Sino-Korean numbers, and 달 is a native Korean word, so we use native-Korean numbers.
Here are some examples:
One month – 일 개월 (il gaewol) / 한 달 (han dal)
Eight months – 팔 개월 (pal gaewol) / 여덟 달 (yeodeol dal)
Telling Time
Another exception to the rule is telling the time. When we tell the time in Korean, we actually use both Sino-Korean numbers and native-Korean numbers. Let’s say someone asks you the time, and it’s 2:35 in the afternoon. How would you answer?
시 (si) means ‘hour’, is the counter for hour, and we need a Native Korean number to read hours. So 2 o'clock will be 두 시 [du si] using Native Korean number for "two."
The counter for minutes is 분 (bun) and we need a Sino-Korean number to read minutes. So 35 minutes will be 삼십오 분 (samsiboh bun) using Sino-Korean number for "thirty five."
Then, put the word for “afternoon” at the beginning, which is 오후 (ohu), followed by the time.
All together it will be, 오후 두 시 삼십오 분 입니다. (Ohu du si samsiboh bun imnida) “It’s 2:35 in the afternoon.”
Additionally, the counter for seconds is 초 (cho).
Other’s example:
1:10 – 한시 십분 (hansi sibbun)
8:03 - 여덟시 삼분 (yeodeolsi sambun)
56 seconds – 오십육 초 (ohsibyook cho)