Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 둘 | dul | [tu(ː)ɭ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | |
| 이 | i | [i(ː)] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [i] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
|
| 투 | tu | [tʰu] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | |
| 두 | du | [tu(ː)] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | adjective |
Korean uses different number systems and forms depending on how you are counting. Use the native Korean forms 둘 and 두 when counting people or objects. Use the Sino-Korean form 이 for mathematical contexts, phone numbers, dates and money. The form 투 is a loanword used to phonetically transcribe the English word 'two' in specific technical or sports terminology.
Which one should you use?
둘 is the native Korean number used when the number stands alone as a noun or when counting objects and people directly. 두 is the adjective form of 둘, used specifically when the number immediately precedes a noun or a counter. 이 is the Sino-Korean number used for more formal or structured contexts like mathematics, dates and phone numbers. Finally, 투 is a loanword from English used in specific contexts such as 'two-shot' espresso.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The form 두 is a modified version of 둘 that functions as an adjective when placed directly before a counter or a noun.
How do you pronounce it?
dul
Did you know?
- The Sino-Korean number 이 shares the same pronunciation as the word for 'tooth' in Korean, meaning a dentist might use the same sound as the number two.
- The Sino-Korean number 이 is a homonym for the Korean words for 'this' and 'person'.
- The Sino-Korean 이 was originally pronounced as zǐ in Middle Korean, shifting over time to the sound used today.
Examples in context
- 맥주 두 잔 주세요.Two beers, please.This sentence shows how to use 두 before a counter for drinks.Tatoeba #11106350 by intertime, translation #34846 by CK
- 너희 둘 정말 귀엽네!You two are adorable!This sentence shows how to use 둘 as a noun to refer to two people.Tatoeba #8533646 by Eunhee, translation #6936306 by Hybrid
- 기차는 두 시간마다 가.The trains run every two hours.This sentence demonstrates the use of 두 before a time-based counter.Tatoeba #8533875 by Eunhee, translation #8533339 by sundown
- 두 명의 미용사가 있습니다.There are two hairstylists.
- 이 노래를 두 번 듣고 싶어.I want to listen to this song two times.
- 45 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Minjun and Seoyeon are counting pieces of fruit.
- 민준 Min-jun사과가 모두 몇 개 있어?Sagwaga modu myeot gae isseo?How many apples are there in total?
- 서연 Seo-yeon여기 둘 있어.Yeogi dul isseo.There are two here.
- 민준 Min-jun정말? 내가 보기엔 세 개인데.Jeongmal? Naega bogien se gaeinde.Really? It looks like three to me.
- 서연 Seo-yeon아, 다시 세어보니 둘이 맞네.A, dasi seeeoboni duri manne.Oh, counting again, it is indeed two.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “two” translations and entries 둘, 이, 투, 두, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 두, 둘, 이, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
