Greetings! Learning how to say “PM” in Korean can be quite useful, especially when communicating or referring to specific times of the day. In this guide, we will explore both the formal and informal ways to express “PM” in Korean. Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say PM in Korean
When using the formal language, there are a couple of different ways to express “PM” in Korean. Here are two commonly used options:
1. 오후 (Oh-Hoo)
The most commonly used formal term for “PM” in Korean is 오후 (oh-hoo). This word represents the afternoon or post-meridian timeframe. When telling the time in formal Korean, we add the designated hour followed by 오후. For instance, 3:00 PM would be expressed as “세 시 오후 (se-si oh-hoo).” Here are a few more examples:
- 12:00 PM – 열두 시 오후 (yeol-du si oh-hoo)
- 6:30 PM – 여섯 시 반 오후 (yeo-seot si ban oh-hoo)
- 9:45 PM – 아홉 시 사십오 분 오후 (ah-hop si sa-ship-o bun oh-hoo)
2. 오후 시 (Oh-Hoo Shi)
Another way to say “PM” in a more formal setting is by using 오후 시 (oh-hoo shi). This expression is more commonly found in written documents or official announcements. Similar to the previous option, when indicating the specific hour, add 시 (shi) after it. Here are a few examples:
- 2:00 PM – 이시 (i-shi)
- 7:15 PM – 칠시 십오 분 (chil-shi ship-o bun)
- 11:30 PM – 열한시 반 (yeol-han-shi ban)
Informal Ways to Say PM in Korean
When it comes to informal expressions, Koreans often use the numbering system instead of dedicated words for “PM.” Here’s how you can do it:
1. Pure Korean Numbers
If you wish to be more informal or have a casual conversation, you can use pure Korean numbers to indicate “PM.” Remember that these numbers are different from Sino-Korean numbers (numbers derived from Chinese characters). Let’s take a look at some examples:
- 4:00 PM – 네 시 (ne si)
- 8:20 PM – 여덟 시 이십 분 (yeo-deol si i-ship bun)
- 10:55 PM – 열 시 오십오 분 (yeol si o-ship-o bun)
2. Sino-Korean Numbers
Alternatively, you can also use Sino-Korean numbers to express “PM” in a more informal context. These numbers are derived from Chinese characters and are often used in various situations, including time expressions. Take a look at the following examples:
- 1:00 PM – 한 시 (han si)
- 5:30 PM – 다섯 시 반 (da-seot si ban)
- 9:40 PM – 아홉 시 사십 분 (ah-hop si sa-ship bun)
Regional Variations
Korean, like any other language, can exhibit regional variations. However, concerning the expression of “PM,” the terms mentioned above are universally understood and used across Korea. Therefore, there are no significant regional distinctions or variations to worry about. You can confidently use these terms nationwide.
Extra Tips for Usage
To ensure effective communication while expressing “PM” in Korean, here are a few extra tips to keep in mind:
- In spoken Korean, it is common to omit the word “시 (shi)” when using the Korean numbering system for “PM.” For example, you can say “열한” (yeol-han) instead of “열한시” (yeol-han-shi) to mean 11:00 PM.
- If you wish to specify a particular minute, follow the hour with the word “분 (bun)” meaning “minute.” For example, 7:45 PM would be “일곱 시 사십오 분 (il-gop si sa-ship-o bun).” However, Koreans sometimes use the expression “반 (ban)” as a casual term for “thirty minutes,” so you could also say “일곱 시 반” for 7:30 PM.
- Remember that Korean time is based on a 12-hour clock system. Therefore, there is no need to distinguish between AM and PM explicitly.
- When telling the time, Koreans often use the word “시 (shi)” to separate the hour from the minutes. It is similar to saying “o’clock” in English. For example, instead of saying “3:15,” you would say “세 시 십오 분” (se-si ship-o bun).
Congratulations! You have now learned how to say “PM” in Korean formally and informally. Remember to practice using these expressions in various contexts to improve your Korean language skills. Happy communicating!
