몇
myeot[mjʌ̹t̚]
The English phrase "how many" can be translated into Korean using 몇 (myeot). Wiktionary also lists 얼마 (eolma) and 얼마나 (eolmana).
Meaning: what number (pron)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 몇 | myeot | [mjʌ̹t̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 얼마 | eolma | [ʌ̹ɭma̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 얼마나 | eolmana | [ʌ̹ɭma̠na̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
In Korean, the way you ask "how many" depends on whether you are counting discrete objects, asking about a price or asking about a degree or extent.
Which one should you use?
The forms have distinct functions. 몇 is used for counting discrete, individual items. 얼마 is used when asking about the price or the amount of something. 얼마나 is used to ask about the degree, extent or duration of something, such as "how much" or "how long".
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The form 몇 functions as a determiner and must be placed immediately before a counter or a noun that represents a unit.
How do you pronounce it?
myeot
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using 얼마나 when you are using a specific counter to ask for a number. For example, instead of saying 얼마나 명 (how much people), you should say 몇 명 (how many people).
Did you know?
- The word 몇 can be used to mean 'a few' or 'some' instead of asking a question. In this context, it describes an unspecified small number rather than requesting a count.
- The word 얼마, used to ask for a price, is also the root of the phrase 얼마든지, which is used to tell someone 'by all means' or 'as much as you want'.
- The word 몇 has a written history dating back to at least the year 1103 in the text 계림유사, making it over 900 years old.
Examples in context
- 몇 번을 반복해야 해?How many times do I need to repeat it?This sentence is useful for asking about the number of repetitions using 몇.Tatoeba #4950371 by rainbow4us, translation #4943621 by AlanF_US
- 아이들은 몇 명 다쳤어?How many children were injured?This sentence is useful for asking about the number of people using 몇.Tatoeba #8363159 by Eunhee, translation #8363053 by CK
- 몇년 동안 호주에 살았어?How many years did you live in Australia?This sentence is useful for asking about the number of years using 몇.Tatoeba #8533954 by Eunhee, translation #8529560 by CK
- 실례지만, 사과 몇 개 있나요?Excuse me, how many apples are there?
- 회의에 몇 명이 참석하실 건가요?May I ask how many people will be attending the meeting?
- 얘, 병 몇 개 필요해?Hey, how many bottles do we need?
- 티켓 몇 개 남았어?Can you tell me how many tickets are left?
- 몇 개 있어?How many are there?
- 33 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hyunwoo and Minji are at a cafe.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo커피 몇 잔 주문할까요?keopi myeot jan jumun-halkkayo?How many cups of coffee should we order?
- 민지 Min-ji두 잔만 주세요.du janman juseyo.Please just give us two cups.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo민지 씨, 케이크도 먹을래요?Minji ssi, keikeudo meogeullaeyo?Minji, do you want to eat cake too?
- 민지 Min-ji아니요, 괜찮아요.aniyo, gwaenchanayo.No, I'm okay.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “how many” translations and entries 몇, 얼마, 얼마나, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 몇, 얼마, 얼마나, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
