Korean Numbers: Native Korean Numbers (하나, 둘, 셋)

Native Korean numbers (고유어 숫자) go from 1-99. Used for counting things, hours, and ages. Above 99, always use Sino-Korean.

The Rule

Native Korean numbers (고유어 숫자) go from 1-99. Used for counting things, hours, and ages. Above 99, always use Sino-Korean. Korean has TWO completely separate number systems — Native Korean (하나, 둘, 셋) and Sino-Korean (일, 이, 삼). English speakers must learn WHEN to use which system, because mixing them up is a common and noticeable mistake.

Why English Speakers Get It Wrong

English has one number system. Korean has two, and you must pick the RIGHT one depending on what you're counting. Using Sino-Korean where Native Korean is required (or vice versa) sounds as wrong to Koreans as saying "I have three-th cats" sounds in English. Key numbers for this topic: • 하나 (hana) = 1 • 둘 (dul) = 2 • 셋 (set) = 3 • 넷 (net) = 4 • 다섯 (daseot) = 5 • 여섯 (yeoseot) = 6 • 일곱 (ilgop) = 7 • 여덟 (yeodeol) = 8 • 아홉 (ahop) = 9 • 열 (yeol) = 10

How It Works

Native Korean numbers (고유어 숫자) go from 1-99. Used for counting things, hours, and ages. Above 99, always use Sino-Korean. Examples: • 사과 하나 주세요. (sagwa hana juseyo.) — "One apple, please." • 맥주 두 잔! (maekju du jan!) — "Two beers!" 하나→한, 둘→두, 셋→세, 넷→네 when followed by a counter. This shortening catches beginners off guard. '한 개, 두 개, 세 개' (one piece, two pieces, three pieces).

Real Examples

• 사과 하나 주세요. (sagwa hana juseyo.) — "One apple, please." • 맥주 두 잔! (maekju du jan!) — "Two beers!"

Common Mistakes

❌ Using the wrong number system for the context ✅ Native Korean Numbers (하나, 둘, 셋) uses Native Korean numbers → Each context has a fixed number system. Memorize which system goes with which context. ❌ Forgetting the shortened forms (하나→한, 둘→두, etc.) ✅ Native Korean numbers 1-4 change form before counters → This is mandatory, not optional. 하나 개 is wrong; 한 개 is correct.

Quick Tip

하나→한, 둘→두, 셋→세, 넷→네 when followed by a counter. This shortening catches beginners off guard. '한 개, 두 개, 세 개' (one piece, two pieces, three pieces). Practice tip: Pick one number context (like ordering food or telling time) and drill it until it's automatic. Don't try to learn both systems at once — master one usage scenario at a time.

하나→한, 둘→두, 셋→세, 넷→네 when followed by a counter. This shortening catches beginners off guard. '한 개, 두 개, 세 개' (one piece, two pieces, three pieces).

Examples

사과 하나 주세요. — sagwa hana juseyo. — One apple, please.

맥주 두 잔! — maekju du jan! — Two beers!