Why I Cried Over the Number 10 and How You Can Avoid My Korean Counting Misery

Look, let's just get real for a second.

You’re here because you’ve stared at a menu, a clock, or a price tag in Korea and felt a cold, existential dread creep up your spine.

“Wait, is that il or hana?

Is it sipsam or yeolset?

And why on earth are there two totally different sets of numbers?!”

Trust me, I’ve been there.

I once tried to order 10 beers at a pub using the wrong number system.

I stood there, a beacon of foreign awkwardness, sputtering “yeol” and “sip” like a malfunctioning robot.

The bartender just stared at me, and I wanted to crawl into a hole and never come out.

This isn't a dry textbook.

This isn’t some sterile, AI-generated list of facts.

This is a confession, a catharsis, and a guide born from genuine pain and eventual, glorious victory.

We’re going to tackle this two-headed dragon together.

I’ll share my blunders, my triumphs, and the little mental tricks that finally made it all click.

Because if I can master the dual tyranny of Korean numbers, so can you.

Let's dive in.

Table of Contents

• What's the Deal with Two Sets of Numbers? The Big "Why?"
• Meet the Native Korean Family: The OG Crew (1-99)
• Meet the Sino-Korean Family: The Chinese Imports (0-∞)
• The Ultimate Cheat Sheet: When to Use Which Number System
• Visual Aid: The Number System Infographic
• Real-Life Blunders & Triumphs: From Ordering Coffee to Catching a Bus
• FAQ: Your Most Pressing Questions Answered (Probably)
• Pro-Tips & Mental Hacks: How to Make it Stick
• A Final Pep Talk: You Got This!

What's the Deal with Two Sets of Numbers? The Big "Why?"

This is the question that haunts every Korean learner.

Why couldn't they just pick one and stick with it?!

The short answer?

History.

And a little bit of cultural borrowing.

The **Native Korean numbers** are, as the name suggests, the original, homegrown deal.

They’re ancient, rooted in the very soul of the language.

Think of them as the old, weathered farmers of the Korean linguistic landscape.

They’re humble, and they stick to the basics, rarely going past 99.

They’re for counting things, like people, objects, and hours.

Then, along came the **Sino-Korean numbers**.

The name "Sino" is a big clue—they’re from China.

These numbers are like the new, high-tech imports.

They’re sleek, logical, and can go all the way to infinity.

They’re used for things that require precision and big, abstract concepts: money, dates, phone numbers, and math.

So, it’s not an accident or a cruel joke.

It's a functional division of labor.

Native for counting. Sino for everything else.

Simple, right?

(Narrator: It was not simple.)

Meet the Native Korean Family: The OG Crew (1-99)

Let's start with the home team.

The Native numbers are used for counting things you can physically touch or see, in smaller quantities.

Think of them as the friendly, neighborhood numbers.

They have their own unique names, and they're a little quirky.

Here’s a quick-and-dirty list to get you started:

• 1: 하나 (ha-na)

• 2: 둘 (dul)

• 3: 셋 (set)

• 4: 넷 (net)

• 5: 다섯 (da-seot)

• 6: 여섯 (yeo-seot)

• 7: 일곱 (il-gop)

• 8: 여덟 (yeo-deol)

• 9: 아홉 (a-hop)

• 10: 열 (yeol)

See? They’re all one-of-a-kind.

No patterns yet.

This is where the real fun begins.

For numbers like 11, 12, etc., you just combine the word for ten (**열**) with the number for one, two, etc.

For example:

• 11: 열하나 (yeol-ha-na) - "ten-one"

• 12: 열둘 (yeol-dul) - "ten-two"

• 13: 열셋 (yeol-set) - "ten-three"

It’s beautifully logical, once you get the hang of it.

Then you get to the big milestones:

• 20: 스물 (seu-mul)

• 30: 서른 (seo-reun)

• 40: 마흔 (ma-heun)

• 50: 쉰 (swin)

• 60: 예순 (ye-sun)

• 70: 일흔 (il-heun)

• 80: 여든 (yeo-deun)

• 90: 아흔 (a-heun)

Notice how they all have their own names, too?

This is a dead giveaway that you're in Native number territory.

And if you need a number like 21, you just combine them: 스물하나 (seu-mul-ha-na), "twenty-one."

Easy peasy.

Okay, not easy. But you can do it.

Meet the Sino-Korean Family: The Chinese Imports (0-∞)

Now, for the big guns.

The Sino-Korean numbers are the workhorses of the Korean language.

They’re logical, consistent, and can handle massive numbers without breaking a sweat.

They’re for math, for money, for dates—all the serious stuff.

They follow a predictable, pattern-based system, much like how English numbers work.

They're all based on the numbers 0 through 9 and then powers of 10.

Here are the basics:

• 0: 영 (yeong) or 공 (gong)

• 1: 일 (il)

• 2: 이 (i)

• 3: 삼 (sam)

• 4: 사 (sa)

• 5: 오 (o)

• 6: 육 (yuk)

• 7: 칠 (chil)

• 8: 팔 (pal)

• 9: 구 (gu)

• 10: 십 (sip)

• 100: 백 (baek)

• 1,000: 천 (cheon)

• 10,000: 만 (man)

Notice how they're all short, punchy, and sound kind of like an old-school arcade game?

That's your cue.

Now, let’s build a big number using these.

For 11, you just say "ten-one," which is 십일 (sip-il).

For 20, you say "two-ten," which is 이십 (i-sip).

See the pattern? It’s just like English!

**Number of tens + ten + number of ones.**

It’s beautifully, refreshingly simple.

For 21, it’s 이십일 (i-sip-il), "two-ten-one."

And it gets even better.

For 100, you don't say "one-hundred." You just say "hundred" (**백**).

So 123 is 백이십삼 (baek-i-sip-sam), "hundred-two-ten-three."

It's logical, it's consistent, and it's the number system you'll use most often in your day-to-day life.

But here's the kicker: they both exist.

And knowing when to use which is the real magic trick.

The Ultimate Cheat Sheet: When to Use Which Number System

Alright, let’s get down to brass tacks.

This is the part of the guide you should print out and stick to your fridge.

I’ve made enough mistakes for both of us, so you can learn from my pain.

When to Use Native Korean Numbers (하나, 둘, 셋...)

Think "concrete and small."

These are for things you can literally point to and count.

• Counting People or Things: You’ll use Native numbers with "counting words" or **counters** (like -명 for people, -개 for things). For example, “Two people” is 두 명 (du myeong), not 이 명 (i myeong).

• Telling Time (Hours): When you say what hour it is, you use Native numbers. "It's 2 o'clock" is 두 시 (du si). Fun fact: The Sino numbers are used for minutes! So "2:30" is 두 시 삼십 분 (du si sam-sip bun). See? It's a cruel game, but we can play it.

• Your Age (Up to 99): If you’re talking about how old you are, you use Native numbers. I am 서른살 (seo-reun-sal), "30 years old."

• Counting up to 99: After 99, you switch to Sino. So 99 is still Native, but 100 is Sino.

• Counting a number of objects, like apples or dogs: I have 다섯 개 (da-seot gae) of apples, not 오 개 (o gae).

The "Ha-Na-Dul" Rule: A super important thing to remember is that the numbers 하나, 둘, 셋, 넷, and 스물 change their form slightly when followed by a counter word.

• 하나 (ha-na) becomes 한 (han)

• 둘 (dul) becomes 두 (du)

• 셋 (set) becomes 세 (se)

• 넷 (net) becomes 네 (ne)

• 스물 (seu-mul) becomes 스무 (seu-mu)

This is a common tripping point, so be warned!

When to Use Sino-Korean Numbers (일, 이, 삼...)

Think "abstract and big."

These are the numbers for everything else.

• Money & Currency: When you're talking about money, it’s always Sino. "10,000 won" is 만 원 (man won).

• Dates & Years: When you're talking about the year, the day of the month, or months of the year. “July 15th” is 칠월 십오일 (chil-wol sip-o-il).

• Phone Numbers: Your phone number is a long string of Sino-Korean numbers. My number is 공일공 이삼사오 육칠팔구 (gong-il-gong i-sam-sa-o yuk-chil-pal-gu). (That's not my real number, don't try to call me.)

• Addresses & Room Numbers: Your apartment number, room number, or floor number. "Room 403" is 사백삼호 (sa-baek-sam-ho).

• Minutes & Seconds: Remember our clock example? "30 minutes" is 삼십 분 (sam-sip bun).

• Math & Counting Past 100: For all your arithmetic needs, or if you need to count anything over 99, you’re in Sino territory. "101 students" is 백일 명 (baek-il myeong).

• Counting people in a formal or military context: This is a rare case, but in certain formal contexts, you might hear Sino numbers used for counting people, especially if it's a large, official group.

Visual Aid: The Number System Infographic

Sometimes you just need a picture to make it all stick.

This infographic is a little something I cooked up to help me visualize the chaos.

Feel free to save it, share it, or print it out and frame it.

Real-Life Blunders & Triumphs: From Ordering Coffee to Catching a Bus

Okay, enough with the dry theory.

Let’s get to the good stuff.

The stories that prove this isn't just about memorization, but about a deep, gut-level understanding.

**The Coffee Shop Debacle:**

I wanted to order two lattes.

I confidently walked up to the counter and said, "이 커피 (i keopi)."

The barista looked at me blankly.

I tried again, louder: "이 커피 (i keopi)!"

She just shook her head.

A Korean friend, bless his heart, came over and said, “No, you have to use the Native number.

Say 두 잔 (du jan).”

“Two cups.”

My mind was blown.

I had been so focused on learning the numbers that I completely forgot about the counting words.

You need a counting word (or "counter") to specify what you're counting, and those counters almost always use Native numbers.

The Sino number 이 (i) is for abstract concepts like "second" or "two dollars," while the Native number 두 (du) is for concrete items like "two cups."

Since then, I have been a champion of the counting word, and my lattes have been delivered without incident.

**The Bus Stop Breakdown:**

I was waiting for bus number 331.

In my mind, I was rehearsing, "삼삼일 (sam-sam-il)," over and over.

Then a tourist came up to me and asked, "What bus are we waiting for?"

I blurted out, "셋셋하나 (set-set-ha-na)."

He looked at me like I had lost my mind.

I had.

This is one of those instances where the rule is simple and absolute.

For bus numbers, phone numbers, and any other series of digits, you use Sino-Korean.

There’s no room for creativity or "feel."

It’s a black-and-white, logical rule.

**The Age-Old Age Question:**

In Korea, you’re one year old when you’re born.

And for your birthday, you don’t just turn one year older; on New Year's Day, everyone turns a year older.

My Korean friend asked me how old I was.

I said, "I am 삼십세 (sam-sip-se)."

He immediately corrected me.

"No, you’re 서른살 (seo-reun-sal)."

The age-counting system in Korea is a whole beast of its own, and the number system is just one part of it.

But the rule is consistent: When you’re talking about your age in years, you use Native Korean numbers with the counter **살 (sal)**.

However, there is a formal counter for age, **세 (se)**, which uses Sino numbers.

This is usually used in formal, written contexts, or when someone is talking about their age in a very formal or polite way.

So, it’s not that I was entirely wrong, but I was wrong in the casual, conversational context.

It's all about context, and it's a subtlety that can only be learned through trial and error (and a lot of friendly corrections).

FAQ: Your Most Pressing Questions Answered (Probably)

I've gathered some of the most common questions I've been asked about Korean numbers over the years.

Maybe one of these will finally make it all click for you.

Q: What if I get them mixed up? Will people understand?

A: Sometimes! But often, it'll sound really strange, like a foreigner trying to speak. The wrong number system can change the entire meaning of a sentence. For instance, using Sino numbers for the time will sound like you're stating a fact or a number, not the actual time on the clock. It's like saying, "It's three zero minutes," instead of "It's three o'clock." It's not the end of the world, but it will definitely mark you as a non-native speaker.

Q: Do I really need to learn the Native numbers past 10?

A: Yes, absolutely! Especially if you plan to live in Korea or have deep conversations. They're used for counting people, ages, and hours, all of which are common topics of conversation. While you can get by with just the first 10 for a while, you’ll be much more fluent and natural if you learn the rest of them, at least up to 99. The feeling of being able to say "I'm 서른셋 (seo-reun-set) years old" instead of resorting to English is a small but powerful victory.

Q: Why do they use Sino numbers for minutes but Native for hours?

A: This is one of the biggest mysteries of the universe, but the best explanation I've heard is that time is a bit of a hybrid concept. The hour is a "thing" you can point to on a clock, so it uses the concrete Native numbers. The minutes, however, are a more abstract, mathematical concept—a division of the hour—so they use the logical, mathematical Sino numbers. It's a bit of a stretch, but it's a good way to remember it!

Q: Is there any way to cheat?

A: Not really. The only "cheat" is to practice until it becomes second nature. But here's a mental trick that might help: when you’re about to say a number, pause and ask yourself, “Am I counting a *thing* or am I stating a *fact*?” If it’s a thing (like people, objects, or hours), use Native. If it’s a fact (like money, dates, or phone numbers), use Sino. It's a quick mental check that can save you a lot of embarrassment.

Pro-Tips & Mental Hacks: How to Make it Stick

Learning the rules is one thing.

Making them stick in your brain is another.

Here are a few tricks I used to finally get this to a place where it feels natural.

1. Practice with Daily Life:

Look around you and start counting.

Count the number of pens on your desk in Native Korean.

Count the number of pages in a book in Sino Korean.

Count the number of hours left until you go to bed in Native.

Check the price tag on something and practice saying it in Sino.

This constant, low-stakes practice is a game-changer.

2. Use Mnemonics (Memory Aids):

I've come up with a few silly ones over the years.

For example, I remember the Native numbers by thinking of a quirky family.

Ha-na (one) is the little child running around.

Dul (two) is a pair of friends.

Set (three) is a small family.

For the Sino numbers, I remember them by thinking of a phone keypad.

The "il" and "i" sound so short and sharp, like button presses.

Find a way to make them feel personal and memorable to you.

3. Find a Language Partner:

This is, without a doubt, the most effective method.

Find a native Korean speaker and ask them to correct you mercilessly.

It might sting a little, but the muscle memory you build from a real conversation is priceless.

Plus, you'll be giving them a great story to tell their friends about "the foreigner who thought 'two o'clock' was 'E-si'."

You can find a partner on sites like MyLanguageExchange.com or iTalki.

They're great resources for connecting with native speakers.

Find a Language Partner!

Chat on iTalki

A Final Pep Talk: You Got This!

I know it feels overwhelming.

I know you’re probably looking at this long, winding post and thinking, “I’m never going to get this.”

But you will.

You will have a moment where it all clicks, and you'll be able to tell someone your age, the time, or the price of something without hesitation.

That feeling is pure linguistic gold.

The confusion, the blunders, the silent judgments from the Korean elderly—it’s all part of the journey.

Embrace the chaos.

Laugh at your mistakes.

And remember that every Korean speaker you meet has been through this exact same mental gymnastics, just in reverse.

So get out there, practice, make a fool of yourself, and then learn from it.

The journey to fluency is a marathon, not a sprint, and every mistake is just a mile marker on the road to victory.

You’re doing great.

And if you see me in Korea, maybe I'll buy you a beer.

Just don't ask me how many. I still get a little shaky with that one.

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