하나
hana[ha̠na̠]
The Korean word for one is 하나 (hana), the native Korean number. If unsure, use 하나. Wiktionary also lists 일 (il) and 원 (won).
Meaning: cardinal number 1 (num)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 하나 | hana | [ha̠na̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | |
| 일 | il | [iɭ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | |
| 원 | won | [wʌ̹n] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | |
| 한 | han | [ha̠n] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | adjective |
Use 하나 when counting objects or people directly, or as a standalone number.
Which one should you use?
한 (han) is the form used right before a counter or a noun, as in one person or one bottle. 일 (il) is the number for one from the set of Chinese origin, used for dates, money, phone numbers and math. 어느 means one in the sense of a certain, unspecified thing.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
하나 shortens to 한 when it comes before a counter.
How do you pronounce it?
It is written in Latin letters as hana.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often use 일 instead of 한 when counting people. Say 한 명 for one person, not 일 명.
Did you know?
- The word 한 can refer to the number 'one' but also represents a deeply rooted Korean cultural concept of 'resentment' or 'unresolved grief' when written as 恨.
- The Sino-Korean word for one, 일, is a homonym for the Korean word for 'work' or 'matter'. This can lead to confusion in sentences where 일 could refer to either the number 'one' or a 'job'.
- While English speakers use 'one, two, three' to start a task, Koreans use a rhythmic chant of '하나, 둘, 셋' to synchronize group movements.
Examples in context
- 목격자가 한 명 있었다.There was one witness.한 명 means one person, here one witness.Tatoeba #6829701 by yesjustryan, translation #2892133 by CK
- 와인 한 병 더 주세요.One more bottle of wine, please.한 병 means one bottle.Tatoeba #7999535 by ciwlx, translation #503831 by CK
- 우린 아이가 한 명 있다.We have one kid.한 명 counts one child.Tatoeba #3676976 by ssuss32, translation #2856278 by Amastan
- 하나의 사과One apple
- 하나하나One by one
- 한 번One time
- 첫 번째First
- 한 시간One hour
- 한 개One piece
- 한 번만Just once
- 하나 주세요Please give me one
- 한 잔One glass
- 일 년One year
- 한 사람One person
- 한 병One bottle
- 한 명의 학생One student
- 50 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hyun-woo and Ji-eun are ordering snacks at a cafe.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo쿠키 하나만 주세요.kuki hanaman juseyo.Please give me just one cookie.
- 지은 Ji-eun더 필요하신 건 없나요?deo piryohasin geon eomnayo?Do you need anything else?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo아니요, 하나면 충분해요.aniyo, hanamyeon chungbunhaeyo.No, one is enough.
- 지은 Ji-eun네, 알겠습니다.ne, algetseumnida.Yes, I understand.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “one” translations and entries 하나, 일, 원, 한, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
