번
beon[pʌ̹n]
The Korean word for "times" (as in occurrences or frequency) is 번 (beon).
번 is a counter used to express the number of times an event occurs or to indicate frequency.
Meaning: multiplied by (prep)
How does it change in a sentence?
As a counter, 번 is used to count occurrences. Note that when expressing "one time," you use 한 번 rather than 일 번.
How do you pronounce it?
beon
What mistakes should you avoid?
When you want to say "one time," do not say 일 번. Instead, use 한 번.
Did you know?
- While 한 번 means 'one time', saying 한번 as a single word can act as an adverb meaning 'once' or 'sometime', often used to suggest trying something out.
- Unlike English where 'times' can mean 'multiplication', using 번 exclusively denotes the number of occurrences and cannot be used to perform mathematical multiplication.
- The expression 번번이 uses the word 번 twice to create an adverb meaning 'every single time', usually when referring to a repeated failure or mistake.
Examples in context
- 몇 번을 반복해야 해?How many times do I need to repeat it?This sentence shows how to ask for the number of repetitions using 번.Tatoeba #4950371 by rainbow4us, translation #4943621 by AlanF_US
- 일주일에 몇 번 테니스 쳐?How many times a week do you play tennis?This sentence demonstrates asking about the frequency of an activity per week using 번.Tatoeba #8533955 by Eunhee, translation #8529558 by CK
- 나는 두 번 자살 시도를 했어.I have attempted suicide two times.This sentence illustrates using 번 to state the number of times an event has occurred.Tatoeba #8362479 by Eunhee, translation #3583374 by mikecash
- 작업 회의는 오전 10시에 시작합니다.The work meeting starts at 10 a.m.
- 점심 시간은 오후 12시부터 1시까지입니다.Lunchtime is from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
- 저녁식사는 보통 저녁 6시에 합니다.Dinner is usually at 6 p.m.
- 저녁 9시부터 밤 12시까지 영화를 봤어요.I watched a movie from 9 p.m. to midnight.
- 내일 아침 8시에 만나자.Let's meet at 8 a.m. tomorrow.
- 오후 2시부터 시간이 있어.I have free time from 2 p.m.
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Minji and Minjun are discussing the size of a new table.
- 민지 Min-ji이 테이블은 저것보다 두 번 더 커요.i teibeureuneun jeogeotboda du beon deo keoyo.This table is two times larger than that one.
- 민준 Min-jun정말요? 생각보다 훨씬 크네요.jeongmallyo? saenggakboda hwolsin keuneyo.Really? It's much larger than I thought.
- 민지 Min-ji네, 공간을 세 번 더 많이 차지해요.ne, gongganeul se beon deo mani chajihayo.Yes, it takes up three times more space.
- 민준 Min-jun그럼 우리 집에는 너무 크겠어요.geureom uri jibeneun neomu keugesseoyo.Then it will be too big for my house.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 번, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
