세다
seda[ˈsʰe̞(ː)da̠]
To count in Korean is 세다 (seda).
The verb 세다 is used to enumerate or determine a number. For more explicit and natural contexts, such as saying 'to count numbers', you can use the phrase 숫자를 세다.
Meaning: to enumerate or determine number (verb)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The polite/standard form for the present tense or an imperative command is 세요. To express that something was counted in the past, use the polite past tense form 셌어요.
How do you pronounce it?
seda
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers may confuse the verb 세다 (to count) with the adjective 세다 (to be strong/powerful), as they are homonyms.
Did you know?
- Counting in Korean often involves the 'Sino-Korean' system for larger numbers and the 'Native Korean' system for smaller amounts.
- When counting objects, Koreans often use specific 'counters' after the number, such as 개 for items or 명 for people, rather than just the number itself.
- Depending on the object being counted, the number words used during 세다 actually change their form, such as '하나' becoming '한'.
Examples in context
- 인원을 세 주세요.Please count the number of people.
- 사과를 세는 방법을 알려주세요.Please let me know how to count apples.
- 이 숫자를 세어보세요.Try counting these numbers.
- 이번 달 지출을 계산해 보세요.Try calculating this month's expenses.
- 얼마인지 계산해 보았어요?Have you calculated how much it is?
- 과자를 세 줄래?Can you count the snacks?
- 친구들을 세면서 걸렸어.I got caught while counting my friends.
- 세고 있는 동안에 대화하지 마.Don't talk while I'm counting.
- 이 과일을 셀 수 있을까요?Can you count these fruits?
- 손가락으로 세보자.Let's try counting with our fingers.
- 사과를 하나씩 세다.sagwareul hanassik seda.Count the apples one by one.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “count” translations and entries 세다, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
