천
cheon[t͡ɕʰʌ̹n]
The Korean word for 'thousand' is 천 (cheon).
천 is the Sino-Korean number for one thousand. It is used when counting large numbers, dates and in mathematical contexts, such as the phrase 천 단위, which refers to the 'thousands' place or increments of a thousand.
Meaning: cardinal number 1000 (num)
Which one should you use?
While 천 is the standard way to say one thousand, you may encounter 일천 in formal settings like banking or official documents. Adding the number one (일) to create 일천 helps to prevent ambiguity in those specific contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
As a Sino-Korean number, 천 is used for counting large numbers and dates. For example, to say 'five thousand', you would use 오천. The word 만 is used for 'ten thousand'.
How do you pronounce it?
cheon
Did you know?
- While English speakers group large numbers by thousands, Korean speakers transition to a new counting unit, 만, at every four digits instead of three.
- Because 천 and the word for 'sky', 천, share the exact same pronunciation, the context of the sentence is the only way to distinguish them in spoken conversation.
- Because 천 is a Sino-Korean word, it shares a common root with the characters used for 'thousand' in Chinese and Japanese.
Examples in context
- 5814를 반올림한 가장 가까운 천 단위 숫자가 뭐지?What is 5814 rounded to the nearest thousand?This sentence shows how to use 천 when discussing rounding to the nearest thousand.Tatoeba #1533226 by mysonhs, translation #326767 by CN
- 천리길도 한 걸음부터.A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step.This sentence uses 천 within a common proverb about a long journey.Tatoeba #907725 by Sudajaengi, translation #3658058 by rbbrbb
- 삼천Three thousand
- 천 오백One thousand five hundred
- 이천 오백Two thousand five hundred
- 육천Six thousand
- 육천 오백Six thousand five hundred
- 삼천 오백Three thousand five hundred
- 오천 삼백Five thousand three hundred
- 이 사과 한 개에 천 원이에요.i sagwa han gae-e cheon won-ieyo.This apple is one thousand won per piece.
Example conversation
Jihoon and Seoyeon are discussing the price of a ticket.
- 지훈 Ji-hun입장권이 얼마예요?ip-jang-gwoni eol-ma-ye-yo?How much is the admission ticket?
- 서연 Seo-yeon천 원이에요.cheon won-i-e-yo.It is a thousand won.
- 지훈 Ji-hun정말 싸네요!jeong-mal ssa-ne-yo!That is really cheap!
- 서연 Seo-yeon네, 아주 저렴해요.ne, a-ju jeo-ryeom-hae-yo.Yes, it is very affordable.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “thousand” translations and entries 천, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 천, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
