Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 여덟 | yeodeol | [jʌ̹dʌ̹ɭ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 팔 | pal | [pʰa̠ɭ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 에잇 | eit | [e̞it̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
There are different ways to say the number eight depending on the context. 여덟 is the native Korean number used for counting people or things, or when paired with native Korean counters. 팔 is the Sino-Korean number used for more abstract or specific measurements like dates, money, minutes, phone numbers or mathematical calculations. The form 에잇 is not a number, but a colloquial interjection used to express frustration or sudden irritation.
Which one should you use?
The native Korean form 여덟 is used for counting items and people, whereas the Sino-Korean form 팔 is used for dates, money, phone numbers, minutes and math. The word 에잇 is an interjection used for expressing irritation and is not a way to say the number eight.
How do you pronounce it?
yeodeol
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use 에잇 when you intend to say the number eight, as this is an interjection for expressing frustration.
Did you know?
- The English word 'eight' is actually the source of the Korean interjection 에잇, used to show irritation.
- The Sino-Korean word 팔 is a homonym for the Korean word for 'arm'.
- In traditional Korean culture, the number 팔 is often associated with the 'Eight Trigrams' of the I Ching, which represent fundamental principles of reality.
Examples in context
- 난 보통 여덟 시간 정도 자.I usually sleep for eight hours.This sentence shows how to use 여덟 when talking about a duration of hours.Tatoeba #13755118 by qlTmalffk, translation #9202977 by DJ_Saidez
- 하나, 둘, 셋, 넷, 다섯, 여섯, 일곱, 여덟, 아홉, 열.One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten.This sentence demonstrates the sequence of counting using 여덟.Tatoeba #3160195 by cueyayotl, translation #413731 by FeuDRenais
- 여덟 시에 만나자.Let's meet at eight o'clock.
- 사과 여덟 개 주세요.sagwa yeodeol gae juseyo.Please give me eight apples.
Example conversation
Subin and Jihun are at a grocery store.
- 수빈 Su-bin지훈 씨, 사과 몇 개 살까요?Jihun ssi, sagwa myeot gae salkkayo?Jihun, how many apples should we buy?
- 지훈 Ji-hun여덟 개 정도 사면 될 것 같아요.Yeodeol gae jeongdo samyeon doel geot gatayo.I think buying about eight would be enough.
- 수빈 Su-bin그럼 여덟 개만 담을게요.Geureom yeodeol gaeman dameulgeyo.Then I will put only eight in the bag.
- 지훈 Ji-hun네, 수빈 씨.Ne, Subin ssi.Okay, Subin.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “eight” translations and entries 여덟, 팔, 에잇, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 에잇, 여덟, 팔, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
