Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 일곱 | ilgop | [iɭɡo̞p̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 칠 | chil | [t͡ɕʰiɭ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 세븐 | sebeun | [sʰe̞bɯn] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
Korean has different words for seven depending on the context. You use the native Korean form 일곱 when counting objects, people or when using it with native Korean counters. You use the Sino-Korean form 칠 when referring to dates, phone numbers, mathematical operations or when using it with Sino-Korean counters. Additionally, the loanword 세븐 is used for phonetic transcriptions of the English word in contexts like brand names or pop culture.
Which one should you use?
일곱 is the native Korean form, whereas 칠 is the Sino-Korean form. Use 일곱 for counting things or people, and 칠 for mathematical calculations, dates or phone numbers. 세븐 is a phonetic transcription of the English word used primarily in brand names or pop culture.
How does it change in a sentence?
When counting people, you combine the native Korean number 일곱 with the counter 명 to say 일곱 명. When measuring time in minutes, you use the Sino-Korean number 칠 with the counter 분 to say 칠 분.
How do you pronounce it?
ilgop
Did you know?
- The Sino-Korean word 칠 is a homophone for the word meaning 'lacquer', a dark reddish-brown resin used in traditional crafts.
Examples in context
- 난 일곱 시에 일어났어.I got up at seven.This sentence shows how to use 일곱 to indicate a specific time.Tatoeba #8365160 by Eunhee, translation #72360 by CK
- 오 곱하기 칠은 삼십오이다.Five times seven is thirty-five.This sentence shows the use of 칠 in a mathematical context.Tatoeba #11106559 by intertime, translation #673868 by Shady_arc
- 그녀는 일곱 개의 언어를 말한다.She speaks seven languages.This sentence shows how to use 일곱 when counting the number of languages.Tatoeba #6305018 by Queserasera, translation #2790520 by Hybrid
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Seoyeon and Jihun are in a bakery.
- 서연 Seo-yeon빵을 몇 개 살까요?ppangeul myeot gae salkkayo?How many breads should we buy?
- 지훈 Ji-hun일곱 개만 사요.ilgop gaeman sayo.Let's just buy seven.
- 서연 Seo-yeon지훈 씨, 일곱 개면 충분해요?Jihun ssi, ilgop gaemyeon chungbunhaeyo?Jihun, is seven enough?
- 지훈 Ji-hun네, 충분해요.ne, chungbunhaeyo.Yes, it's enough.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “seven” translations and entries 일곱, 칠, 세븐, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 세븐, 일곱, 칠, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
