열여섯
yeoryeoseot[jʌ̹ʎʎʌ̹sʰʌ̹t̚]
Sixteen in Korean is expressed as 열여섯 (yeoryeoseot) or 십육. Wiktionary also lists 십륙 (simnyuk).
Meaning: cardinal number 16 (num)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 열여섯 | yeoryeoseot | [jʌ̹ʎʎʌ̹sʰʌ̹t̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | |
| 십육 | simnyuk | [ɕʰimɲuk̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | |
| 십륙 | simnyuk | North Korea |
How does it change in a sentence?
When counting years of age, the native form 열여섯 is used with the counter 살.
How do you pronounce it?
yeoryeoseot
Did you know?
- In Korea, the number 십육 is often avoided in certain contexts because it sounds similar to a slang term for 'sexual intercourse'.
- In Korean pop culture and lyrics, the age 열여섯 is often romanticized as the peak of early adolescence and purity, similar to how 'sweet sixteen' is viewed in English.
- Historically, Korean has two distinct number systems, so 열여섯 and 십육 are not just synonyms but belong to entirely different linguistic layers.
Examples in context
- 내년이면 나는 열여섯 살이 된다.I will be sixteen years old next year.This sentence is useful for expressing one's age in the future.Tatoeba #11106429 by intertime, translation #262153 by CK
- 나 열여섯 살 때 오토바이 타는 법 배웠어.I learned how to ride a motorcycle when I was sixteen years old.This sentence is useful for describing an action performed at age sixteen.Tatoeba #13755020 by qlTmalffk, translation #10167229 by CK
- 나는 열여섯 살입니다.I'm sixteen years old.This sentence is useful for stating one's current age.Tatoeba #4002432 by rainbow4us, translation #4002431 by CN
Example conversation
Minjun and Jieun are talking about how many students are in a study group.
- 민준 Min-jun스터디 멤버가 몇 명이에요?seodeui membeoga myeot myeong-ieyo?How many study members are there?
- 지은 Ji-eun열여섯 명이에요.yeol-yeoseot myeong-ieyo.There are sixteen people.
- 민준 Min-jun생각보다 사람이 많네요!saeng-gak-boda sarami manneyo!There are more people than I thought!
- 지은 Ji-eun네, 민준 씨도 오실 거죠?ne, Minjun ssi-do osil jeoji-yo?Yes, you're coming too, right, Minjun?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sixteen” translations and entries 열여섯, 십육, 십륙, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
