분
bun[pun]
The Korean word for "minute" is 분 (bun).
분 is a noun used to denote a unit of time. When telling the time, you use 분 to express the minutes part of the time, which follows the hour and the specific minute number.
Meaning: unit of time (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 분 refers specifically to minutes, the word 초 is used to refer to seconds.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun 분 is used for counting minutes and does not change its form for pluralization.
How do you pronounce it?
bun
Did you know?
- Beyond time, 분 is used as a polite counter for people, such as when referring to 'guests' or 'persons' in a formal setting.
- Depending on the Hanja used, 분 can also refer to 'excrement', though this is a completely different meaning and context from time.
- The word 분 is a homonym that can also mean 'powder' or 'makeup', such as in the word 분칠 for applying powder.
Examples in context
- 몇 분입니까?How many minutes is it?
- 5분 전에 도착했어요.I arrived 5 minutes ago.
- 10분 정도의 시간이 필요해요.I need about 10 minutes of time.
- 몇 분인지 아세요?Do you know how many minutes it is?
- 오 분Five minutes
Example conversation
A man and a woman are meeting at a cafe.
- 서연 Seo-yeon도현 씨, 몇 분 정도 걸려요?Do-hyeon ssi, myeot bun jeong-do geol-lyeo-yo?Dohyun, how many minutes will it take?
- 도현 Do-hyeon한 15분 정도 걸릴 것 같아요.Han sip-o-bun jeong-do geol-lil geot gat-a-yo.I think it will take about 15 minutes.
- 서연 Seo-yeon알겠어요. 천천히 오세요.al-get-seo-yo. cheon-cheon-hi o-se-yo.I see. Please come slowly.
- 도현 Do-hyeon네, 금방 갈게요.ne, geum-bang gal-ge-yo.Okay, I will be there soon.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 분, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 분, CC BY-SA 4.0.
