nmbrs.proLEARN, CHILL, REPEAT

Count Objects in Korean

In Korean, counting objects requires the use of counter words (단위 명사) along with Native Korean numbers.

Common Counter Words

Here are the most frequently used Korean counters. Each counter is specific to certain types of objects or concepts:

ExampleWritingPronunciationPlay
Things개gae
People명myeong
People (honorific)분bun
Animals마리ma-ri
Books권gwon
Cups or glasses잔jan
Bottles병byeong
Sheets (paper, cloth)장jang
Vehicles, machinery대dae
Buildings채chae
Pairs (shoes, gloves)켤레kyeol-le
Clothes벌beol
Flowers송이song-i
Pieces조각jo-gak
Trees그루geu-ru
Long objects자루ja-ru
Months (duration)달dal
Score: 0/7
Which counter is used for counting pairs of shoes?

How to Use Counters

The basic pattern for counting objects in Korean is:

  • Object + Number + Counter
  • For example: 사과 세 개 (three apples)

Examples

Here are some common examples of counting various objects:

ExampleWritingPronunciationPlay
Three apples사과 세 개sa-gwa se gae
Ten students학생 열 명hak-saeng yeol myeong
Two dogs강아지 두 마리gang-a-ji du ma-ri
Four books책 네 권chaek ne gwon
One cup of coffee커피 한 잔keo-pi han jan
Five sheets of paper종이 다섯 장jong-i da-seot jang
Three buses버스 세 대beo-seu se dae
One piece of pizza피자 한 조각pi-ja han jo-gak
Two trees나무 두 그루na-mu du geu-ru
Three pencils연필 세 자루yeon-pil se ja-ru
Score: 0/5
How would you count '5 books'?

Key Points to Remember

  • Always use the appropriate counter for the object being counted
  • Native Korean numbers are used with counters (not Sino-Korean numbers)
  • The counter comes after the number
  • Some objects may use different counters depending on the context
  • Consider the level of formality when choosing between honorific and regular counters
Score: 0/3
Which number system is used with counters?
Progress: 0 of 3 quizzes completed
0%