여섯
yeoseot[jʌ̹sʰʌ̹t̚]
The English phrase six can be translated into Korean using several forms. If unsure, use 여섯 (yeoseot). Wiktionary also lists 육 (yuk) and 식스 (sikseu).
Meaning: cardinal number (num)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 여섯 | yeoseot | [jʌ̹sʰʌ̹t̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | |
| 육 | yuk | [juk̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | |
| 식스 | sikseu | [ɕʰiks͈ɯ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | |
| 륙 | ryuk | [ɾjuk̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | North Korea |
Korean uses different words for the number six depending on the context. You can use 여섯 when counting objects, people or hours, such as in the phrases 여섯 살 (six years old) or 여섯 개 (six objects). The Sino-Korean form 육 is used for mathematical measurements, money, dates or phone numbers.
Which one should you use?
The choice between forms depends on whether you are using a Native Korean or Sino-Korean context. The Native Korean form 여섯 is used with native counters for counting objects, people or hours.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In North Korea, the Sino-Korean number six is spelled and pronounced as 륙.
How do you pronounce it?
yeoseot
When do people say it?
The English word 'six' is often transliterated as 식스 in modern Korean contexts like pop culture or brand names.
Did you know?
- In traditional Korean culture, the number six is associated with the 'six directions', which include north, south, east, west, zenith and nadir.
- The Sino-Korean word 육 for 'six' is a homonym with the word for 'meat' and the word for 'land'.
- The number six is often used in the phrase 육하원칙, which refers to the 'six Ws' of journalism: who, what, where, when, why and how.
Examples in context
- 오는 사와 육 사이의 숫자이다.Five is the number between four and six.This sentence shows the position of 육 in a sequence.Tatoeba #13018666 by Uwe, translation #13018114 by carlosalberto
- 나는 보통 여섯 시에 집에 온다.I usually get home by six o'clock.This sentence uses 여섯 to indicate a specific time.Tatoeba #11105112 by intertime, translation #261502 by CK
- 저녁 여섯 시까지는 준비될 거에요.It will be ready by six this evening.This sentence uses 여섯 to set a deadline time.Tatoeba #11104884 by intertime, translation #242635 by CC
- 저는 그림을 만들 때 여섯 가지 색을 사용합니다.I use six different colors when I paint.
- 여섯 살 때부터 한국어를 배웠어요.I've been learning Korean since I was six years old.
- 오늘은 육시에 만나자.Let's meet at six o'clock today.
- 육 개의 사과를 샀어요.I bought six apples.
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ji-eun and Hyeon-u are counting items in a kitchen.
- 지은 Ji-eun현우 씨, 오렌지가 몇 개 있어요?Hyeon-u ssi, orenji ga myeot gae isseoyo?Hyeon-u, how many oranges are there?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo여섯 개 있어요.Yeoseot gae isseoyo.There are six.
- 지은 Ji-eun그럼 여섯 개 다 먹을까요?Geureom yeoseot gae da meogeulkkayo?Then shall we eat all six?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo좋아요, 지은 씨.Joayo, Ji-eun ssi.Sounds good, Ji-eun.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “six” translations and entries 여섯, 육, 식스, 륙, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 식스, 여섯, 육, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
