Welcome to our guide on how to say “twenty” in Korean! In this article, we will explore the formal and informal ways of expressing this number, provide regional variations if necessary, and offer plenty of tips and examples to help you grasp the concept effectively.
Table of Contents
Formal Way
In formal Korean, the word for “twenty” is 스물 (seu-mul). This is the standard and most widely used term in formal contexts, such as business meetings, official events, or when conversing with people you don’t know well.
Here are some examples of how to use it in sentences:
Example 1: 저는 스물 일곱 살입니다. (Jeoneun seu-mul il-gop sal-im-ni-da.)
Translation: I am twenty-seven years old.
Example 2: 그 영화는 스물 다섯 분 동안 진행될 것입니다. (Geu yeong-hwa-neun seu-mul da-seot bun dong-an jin-haeng-dol geot-im-ni-da.)
Translation: The movie will last for twenty-five minutes.
Informal Way
In casual or informal Korean, especially when talking with friends, family, or peers, you can say 스무 (seu-mu) to mean “twenty”. This form is more commonly used in everyday conversations.
Let’s take a look at some examples of its usage:
Example 1: 내일 스무 번째 생일이야! (Nae-il seu-mu beon-jjae saeng-il-i-ya!)
Translation: It’s my twentieth birthday tomorrow!
Example 2: 매일 스무 시간 동안 일해요. (Mae-il seu-mu shi-gan dong-an il-hae-yo.)
Translation: I work for twenty hours every day.
Regional Variations
There are few regional variations in how “twenty” is expressed across different parts of Korea. However, it’s important to note that the majority of Koreans use the standard terms mentioned above, regardless of their region.
In some dialects spoken in parts of the Gyeongsang Province, you may come across the word 스믈 (seu-meul), which is an alternate pronunciation of “twenty”. However, it’s not widely used or understood outside those specific regions.
Summing Up
In this guide, we provided you with the formal and informal ways to say “twenty” in Korean, along with examples and tips to help you understand the context of its usage.
Remember, in formal situations, use 스물 (seu-mul), and in casual conversations, opt for 스무 (seu-mu). Although there are regional variations, they are not widely used, so it’s advisable to stick to the standard terms.
We hope this guide has been helpful! Practice using these expressions in your conversations, and before you know it, you’ll be confidently speaking Korean. Good luck!
