Learning how to say numbers in Korean is essential for communication, whether you’re visiting Korea or interacting with Korean speakers. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore formal and informal ways of saying numbers in Korean, along with some useful tips and examples. Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say Numbers
In formal settings, such as business meetings, official events, or when speaking to elders, it’s important to use polite language. Here are the formal Korean equivalents for numbers:
Cardinal Numbers:
- 1: 하나 (hana)
- 2: 둘 (dul)
- 3: 셋 (set)
- …
Ordinal Numbers:
- 1st: 첫째 (cheotjjae)
- 2nd: 둘째 (duljjae)
- 3rd: 셋째 (setjjae)
- …
Remember to add the appropriate honorific suffixes when using formal language. For example, you may add “님 (nim)” to indicate respect for someone.
Informal Ways to Say Numbers
In informal contexts, such as with friends or peers, you can use a more casual form of Korean number words. Here are the informal equivalents for numbers:
Cardinal Numbers:
- 1: 하나 (hana)
- 2: 둘 (dul)
- 3: 셋 (set)
- …
Ordinal Numbers:
- 1st: 첫번째 (cheotbeonjjae)
- 2nd: 두번째 (dubeonjjae)
- 3rd: 세번째 (sebeonjjae)
- …
Informal language doesn’t require honorifics, so you can omit them when speaking casually.
Tips for Pronouncing Numbers
Pronunciation is crucial when saying Korean numbers correctly. Follow these tips to improve your pronunciation:
- Listen to native Korean speakers or audio resources to grasp the correct pronunciation.
- Pay attention to vowel and consonant sounds, as they may differ from your native language.
- Break down longer numbers into smaller units to make pronunciation easier.
- Practice speaking numbers aloud to gain confidence and fluency.
Examples
Let’s now look at some examples of both formal and informal ways to say numbers in Korean:
Formal:
- 123: 백 이십 삼 (baek i-sip sam)
- 1,000: 천 (cheon)
- 1,234: 천 이백 삼십 사 (cheon i-baek sam-sip sa)
Informal:
- 123: 백 스물 셋 (baek seumul set)
- 1,000: 천 (cheon)
- 1,234: 천 이백 서른 넷 (cheon i-baek seoreun net)
These examples should help you understand how to say numbers in both formal and informal contexts.
Remember, practice makes perfect! Keep practicing your pronunciation, and soon you’ll master saying numbers in Korean effortlessly.
