Learn Korean Numbers 1–10 and Count Everyday Objects
Master native Korean numbers 하나 to 열, learn when to use them, and practice counting fingers, books, and other items with simple sentences.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
In this lesson you will learn the native Korean numbers from one to ten and use them to count everyday objects. Korean has two number systems: native Korean numbers and Sino-Korean numbers. For counting small numbers of things in daily conversation, native Korean numbers are the ones you need. You will also learn how to attach counting words, called counters, to these numbers. By the end, you will be able to say phrases like 'three apples' or 'five people' using the correct pattern.
By the end, you can…
- say the native Korean numbers 1 through 10.
- count common objects using basic counters like 개 and 명.
- ask 'how many' and answer with a number and counter.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
하나, 둘, 셋, 넷, 다섯
one, two, three, four, five
ha-na, dul, set, net, da-seot
The basic native Korean numbers 1–5. Use them when counting items in everyday speech.
여섯, 일곱, 여덟, 아홉, 열
six, seven, eight, nine, ten
yeo-seot, il-gop, yeo-deol, a-hop, yeol
The native Korean numbers 6–10. Together with the first five, these complete the set 1–10.
사과 세 개
three apples
sa-gwa se gae
Number + counter + noun. Here 개 is the general counter for objects. Note that 세 is the combining form of 셋 before a counter.
친구 두 명
two friends
chin-gu du myeong
명 is the counter for people. 두 is the combining form of 둘 before a counter.
몇 개 있어요?
How many are there?
myeot gae i-sseo-yo?
A common question using 몇 (how many) + 개 (counter) + 있어요 (there are/exist).
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To count objects, use the pattern: noun + number + counter. The number comes before the counter, and the counter comes before the verb or at the end of the phrase. For example: 책 세 권 (three books), where 권 is the counter for books. When the number is 하나, 둘, 셋, 넷, or 스무, it changes form before a counter: 하나 becomes 한, 둘 becomes 두, 셋 becomes 세, 넷 becomes 네. So you say 사과 한 개 (one apple), not 사과 하나 개. For numbers 5–10, the form stays the same: 사과 다섯 개 (five apples).
When to use it
Use native Korean numbers for counting everyday items, people, and ages (with some exceptions). They are common in casual conversation, shopping, and ordering food. For example, at a café you might say 커피 두 잔 주세요 (two cups of coffee, please). Use Sino-Korean numbers for dates, money, phone numbers, and minutes. In this lesson, focus on native numbers 1–10 with common counters: 개 (general objects), 명 (people), 권 (books), 잔 (cups), 마리 (animals).
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
사과 몇 개 있어요?
How many apples are there?sa-gwa myeot gae i-sseo-yo?사과 세 개 있어요.
There are three apples.sa-gwa se gae i-sseo-yo.친구도 몇 명 있어요?
How many friends are there too?chin-gu-do myeot myeong i-sseo-yo?친구 두 명 있어요.
There are two friends.chin-gu du myeong i-sseo-yo.A little context goes a long way
In Korean, using the wrong number system can cause confusion. Native Korean numbers are used for counting everyday items up to about 99, but for larger numbers or in formal situations, Sino-Korean numbers are preferred. Also, when counting people, the counter 명 is polite; for honored people like teachers or elders, use 분 instead. For example, 선생님 두 분 (two teachers).
One thing to watch for
Using the number 하나 before a counter without changing it, as in 사과 하나 개.
Try this instead: Change the number to its combining form before a counter: 사과 한 개 (one apple). Similarly, 둘 becomes 두, 셋 becomes 세, 넷 becomes 네. So say 친구 두 명 (two friends), not 친구 둘 명.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'four books' in Korean? (Use the counter 권 for books.)
Show a sample answer
책 네 권
The number 넷 changes to 네 before the counter 권. The pattern is noun + number + counter. Alternative: 책 네 권이에요 is also correct in a full sentence.
2What is the native Korean number for 7?
Show a sample answer
일곱
일곱 is the native Korean number for 7. It does not change form before a counter, so you can say 사과 일곱 개 (seven apples).
3Translate: 'There are five cups.' (Use the counter 잔 for cups.)
Show a sample answer
컵 다섯 잔 있어요.
The number 다섯 (five) stays the same before the counter 잔. The sentence ends with 있어요 (there are). You could also say 컵이 다섯 잔 있어요 with the subject particle 이, which is also correct.
Use native Korean numbers 1–10 with counters to count everyday objects. Remember to change 하나, 둘, 셋, 넷 to 한, 두, 세, 네 before a counter.
Progress is saved on this browser.
Practice real time conversations on Yapr for faster learning.
Put today’s Korean into a conversation with an AI tutor. Speak, make mistakes, and try again.
Practice on Yapr