If there’s one topic that trips up EPS-TOPIK candidates more than any other, it’s Korean numbers. Korean has two completely separate number systems, and you have to know which one to use and when — for prices, times, quantities, and dates that come up constantly in the listening and reading sections. This guide makes Korean numbers simple.
In short: Korean has two sets of numbers — Sino-Korean (일, 이, 삼…) and Native Korean (하나, 둘, 셋…). Use Sino-Korean for money, dates, minutes, phone numbers, and counting above 100. Use Native Korean for counting objects and people, your age, and the hour when telling time. Knowing both — and when to switch — is essential for the EPS-TOPIK listening and reading sections.
The two Korean numbers systems
Most languages have one set of numbers. Korean has two, and they’re used in different situations:
- Sino-Korean numbers — derived from Chinese, used for most “measured” things.
- Native Korean numbers — the original Korean count, used mainly for counting things and people.
The good news: you only need to memorise a small core, because larger numbers are built from the same building blocks.
Sino-Korean numbers (1–10)
| Number | Korean | Romanization |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 일 | il |
| 2 | 이 | i |
| 3 | 삼 | sam |
| 4 | 사 | sa |
| 5 | 오 | o |
| 6 | 육 | yuk |
| 7 | 칠 | chil |
| 8 | 팔 | pal |
| 9 | 구 | gu |
| 10 | 십 | sip |
Bigger Sino-Korean numbers just combine these: 십 (10), 이십 (20 = “two-ten”), 삼십 (30), and so on. Then 백 (baek = 100), 천 (cheon = 1,000), and 만 (man = 10,000).
Native Korean numbers (1–10)
| Number | Korean | Romanization |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 하나 | hana |
| 2 | 둘 | dul |
| 3 | 셋 | set |
| 4 | 넷 | net |
| 5 | 다섯 | daseot |
| 6 | 여섯 | yeoseot |
| 7 | 일곱 | ilgop |
| 8 | 여덟 | yeodeol |
| 9 | 아홉 | ahop |
| 10 | 열 | yeol |
Native Korean numbers are mainly used up to about 99; for larger counts, Korean switches to the Sino-Korean system.
When to use which: the rules that matter for EPS-TOPIK
| Use Sino-Korean for | Use Native Korean for |
|---|---|
| Money / prices (원 won) | Counting objects (with counters) |
| Dates, months, years | Counting people (명) |
| Minutes (분) | The hour when telling time (시) |
| Phone numbers | Age (in casual speech) |
| Numbers above 100 | Small quantities in daily life |
The classic exam trap is telling time, which uses both: the hour is Native Korean and the minutes are Sino-Korean. For example, 3:30 is 세 시 (Native “three o’clock”) 삼십 분 (Sino “thirty minutes”).
Why this is tested so often: EPS-TOPIK listening questions are full of prices, work start times, quantities of items, and dates. If you freeze on which number system you’re hearing, you lose easy marks. Numbers are some of the most predictable points on the exam — so they’re worth drilling until they’re automatic.
How to master Korean numbers fast
Numbers stick through repetition and listening, not through reading a table once. Practise them out loud, listen to them at natural speed, and drill them with flashcards until you can recognise them instantly. Build this into your daily routine alongside vocabulary — our EPS-TOPIK preparation guide shows how to structure that. You can also confirm exam content against the official material on the official EPS portal.
Drill Korean numbers until they’re automatic. TopikPro’s smart flashcards and full listening mock tests train you to recognise both number systems at real exam speed — with 1,000+ vocabulary words, grammar lessons, and an AI Korean tutor to answer your questions. Free to start, right from your phone. Start free →
Frequently asked questions
Why does Korean have two sets of numbers?
Korean has Native Korean numbers (the original Korean count) and Sino-Korean numbers (borrowed from Chinese). Each is used in different situations, so for the EPS-TOPIK you need to know both and when to switch between them.
Which Korean numbers are used for money and time?
Money and minutes use Sino-Korean numbers. Telling the hour uses Native Korean numbers — so a full time like 3:30 mixes both: Native for the hour, Sino for the minutes.
Do I need to learn Korean numbers above 100?
Yes, at least the Sino-Korean building blocks — 백 (100), 천 (1,000), and 만 (10,000) — because prices and larger figures in the listening section rely on them.
What’s the fastest way to learn Korean numbers for the exam?
Drill them with flashcards and listening practice until recognition is instant. Numbers are predictable, high-frequency exam points, so daily repetition pays off quickly.
This article is general study guidance for EPS-TOPIK candidates. Romanization is a learning aid, not exact pronunciation — always confirm with audio. Verify current exam content with your national sending agency and the official EPS-TOPIK portal (epstopik.hrdkorea.or.kr). Last updated: June 2026.
