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Sino-Korean Numbers 101: Mastering Price Expressions

작성자:
Sino-Korean Numbers

‘Sino-Korean Numbers (일, 이, 삼, 사…)‘ are essential for daily life in Korea and for visiting Korea’s charming traditional markets.

Korean has two ways to count numbers, so many learners find it a bit confusing at first. But don’t worry! Today’s lesson is on Sino-Korean numbers, which are very useful when talking about prices, dates, phone numbers, and floor levels.

Once you master this, you will be able to confidently ask and answer prices when you find an outfit or shoes you love in a traditional market! Let’s get started, shall we?

1. Meaning & Function of Sino-Korean Numbers

The Korean number system is largely divided into ‘Sino-Korean Numbers’ and ‘Native Korean Numbers’. The Sino-Korean numbers (일, 이, 삼, 사…) we are learning today are mainly used in the following situations:

TypeReadingUsage
한자어 수
Sino-Korean Numbers		일·이·삼·사·오…Prices (Won), Dates (Month/Day), Floors, Phone numbers, Minutes (Time)
고유어 수
Native Korean Numbers		하나·둘·셋·넷·다섯…Quantity (Items/Clothes/Pairs), Age, Hour (Time)

🌟 Key Point for Shopping! 물건의 가격을 말할 때는 꼭 한자어 수(일, 이, 삼, 사)로 말하세요~! When you ask for the price of an item in a market, you must use ‘Sino-Korean Numbers’.

  • ✅ 이만 오천 원이에요. (It is 25,000 won.)
  • ❌ 두만 다섯천 원이에요. (This is incorrect.)

2. Number Table & Price Expressions of Sino-Korean Numbers

① Basic Sino-Korean Numbers (0 ~ 10)

NumberSino-KoreanNumberSino-Korean
0영 / 공6육
1일7칠
2이8팔
3삼9구
4사10십
5오

② Large Numbers and Units

UnitSino-Korean Example
10십15 → 십오 (Sip-o)
100백300 → 삼백 (Sam-baek)
1,000천5,000 → 오천 (O-cheon)
10,000만20,000 → 이만 (I-man)

③ Price Reading Practice

Unlike English, Korean prices are counted in units of 10,000 (Man) rather than 1,000 (Thousand). This is very important! Read the numbers in order from left to right and add ‘원 (Won)’ at the end.

PriceHow to Read
500원오백 원 (O-baek won)
1,000원천 원 (Cheon won) (Note: Do not say ‘Il-cheon won’)
3,500원삼천오백 원 (Sam-cheon-o-baek won)
10,000원만 원 (Man won) (Note: Do not say ‘Il-man won’)
15,000원만 오천 원 (Man o-cheon won)
23,000원이만 삼천 원 (I-man sam-cheon won)
100,000원십만 원 (Sip-man won)

④ Expanded Real-Life Examples

Here are 10 diverse, real-life example sentences showing how to use Sino-Korean numbers for prices, dates, floors, and phone numbers in everyday situations.

ContextKorean SentenceEnglish Translation
Shopping (Asking Price)이 모자는 팔천 원이에요.This hat is 8,000 won.
Shopping (Bargaining)이만 오천 원으로 깎아 주세요.Please give me a discount of 25,000 won.
Shopping (Total Amount)오늘 시장에서 사만 원을 썼어요.I spent 40,000 won at the market today.
Location (Floor)화장실은 삼 층에 있어요.The restroom is on the 3rd floor.
Appointment (Date)제 생일은 오 월 십오 일이에요.My birthday is May 15th (5th month, 15th day).
Contact (Phone Number)제 전화번호는 공일공-일이삼사-오육칠팔이에요.My phone number is 010-1234-5678.
Time (Minutes)지금은 세 시 오십 분이에요.It is 3:50 now.
Transportation (Bus Number)학교에 갈 때는 백사 번 버스를 타요.I take bus number 104 when going to school.
Shopping (Change)거스름돈은 이천 원이에요.The change is 2,000 won.

For more official information about Korean culture, visit the King Sejong Institute.

3. Common Mistakes of Sino-Korean Numbers

What are the most common mistakes learners make when reading numbers? Check the table below to see the correct expressions!

❌ Incorrect✅ CorrectReason
23,000원
➡️ 이십 삼천 원 (❌)		23,000원
➡️ 이만 삼천 원		Koreans use the 10,000 (Man) unit, not the 1,000 (Cheon) unit.
10,000 ➡️ 일만 원 (❌)
1,000 ➡️ 일천 원 (❌)		10,000 ➡️만 원
1,000 ➡️ 천 원		The number ‘1 (Il)’ at the beginning of a large number is usually omitted.
8,000원 ➡️ 여덟천 원(❌)8,000원 ➡️ 팔천 원Do not mix Native Korean numbers with Sino-Korean numbers for prices.

4. Real-Life Dialogue

Aditi, an international student from India, is talking to a store owner at a traditional market. Let’s see how Sino-Korean numbers are used in the conversation!

Sino-Korean Numbers lesson for beginners

① Listening Practice (듣기 연습)

Instructions: Listen first and answer the following questions.

1) 아디티 씨는 무엇을 샀습니까?

2) 아디티 씨는 영수증을 받았습니까?

  • 아디티: 저 빨간 옷 얼마예요?
  • 직 원: 이만 오천 원이에요.
  • 아디티: 조금 비싸요. 깎아 주세요!
  • 직 원: 그럼 이만 원에 드릴게요.
  • 아디티: 감사해요! 여기 이만 원이요.
  • 직 원: 네, 영수증 드릴까요?
  • 아디티: 네, 주세요. 그런데 신발 가게는 몇 층이에요?
  • 직 원: 이 층이에요.
👉 Click Dialogue Translation!
  • 아디티: How much is that red shirt?
  • 직 원: It is 25,000 won.
  • 아디티: It’s a bit expensive. Please give me a discount!
  • 직 원: Then I’ll give it to you for 20,000 won.
  • 아디티: Thank you! Here is 20,000 won.
  • 직 원: Okay, would you like a receipt?
  • 아디티: Yes, please. By the way, which floor is the shoe store on?
  • 직 원: It’s on the second floor.

② Comprehension Questions (내용 이해 질문)

1) 아디티 씨는 어떤 옷을 사고 싶어 해요?

2) 아디티 씨는 그것을 얼마에 샀어요?

3) 아디티 씨는 또 무엇을 사고 싶어 해요?

5. AI Tutor Practice

🤖 Digital Literacy Tip! You can practice price expressions with an AI Tutor (ChatGPT). Instead of just memorizing, try simulating a shopping scenario with AI. It will help you remember the numbers much faster!

[Copy and paste this prompt into AI: like ChatGPT ]

“I am a beginner Korean student studying Sino-Korean numbers. Please act as a shop owner in a Korean traditional market. I will ask you for the price of different items, and you answer using Sino-Korean numbers (e.g., 15,000 won, 23,000 won). Please keep the conversation simple and correct my mistakes in Korean.”

6. Today’s Quiz

Test your knowledge of the prices and numbers we learned today!

[Quiz 1] Read the following prices in Sino-Korean numbers.

  1. 3,000원 => ( ___________________ )
  2. 12,000원 => ( ___________________ )
  3. 25,000원 => ( ___________________ )

👉 Click here to see the [Quiz 1 Answers]
  1. 삼천 원
  2. 만 이천 원
  3. 이만 오천 원

[Quiz 2] Complete the dialogue.

  • 가: 이 편한 신발은 얼마예요? (How much are these comfortable shoes?)
  • 나: ___________________________이에요. (119,000원)
👉 Click here to see the [Quiz 2 Answers]

=> 십 일만 구천 원이에요.

7. Wrap-up

Today, we studied Sino-Korean numbers, which are essential for asking and answering prices at a market. Now, you won’t be confused when you see price tags or hear the vendor telling you the price, right? Don’t forget to review on your own!

Next Lesson Preview: In the next lesson, we will learn about ‘Counter Nouns’ (개, 벌, 켤레, etc.) used to count items such as apples, clothes, and shoes.

Next Lesson Preview: In the next lesson, we will learn about ‘Counter Nouns’. You can also review our previous lessons on the Proper Korean Home.

See you next time! 또 만나요~:)

Korean adjective modifier ‘-ㄴ/은’

작성자:
Korean adjective modifier

Have you ever visited a traditional Korean market? When you walk through the market(전통시장), you will see many pretty clothes and delicious foods everywhere!

But have you ever struggled to explain exactly what you want to buy?

For example, instead of just saying “I want to buy a bag (가방을 사고 싶어요),” wouldn’t it be much better if you could say, “I want to buy a cheap bag (싼 가방을 사고 싶어요)” or “I am looking for a small bag (작은 가방을 찾고 있어요)”?

After reading this blog post, you will be able to describe the characteristics of any object or person beautifully and accurately, just like a native speaker! Are you ready to find out how this grammar works? Let’s explore together!

1. Meaning & Function Korean adjective modifier

In English, when you want to describe a noun, you simply place the adjective before it (e.g., pretty clothes, cheap bag). In Korean, however, you cannot put a basic adjective form (like 예쁘다 or 싸다) directly in front of a noun.

To make an adjective describe a noun, you must drop the dictionary ending -다 and attach -ㄴ or -은 to the adjective stem. This form is called the determiner form (관형사형).

  • 예쁘다 (to be pretty) + 옷 (clothes) → 예쁜 옷 (pretty clothes)
  • 싸다 (to be cheap) + 가방 (bag) → 싼 가방 (a cheap bag)

Using this grammar allows you to vividly explain the unique features of objects, places, or people around you!

2. Conjugation Rules & Table of Korean adjective modifier

The form changes depending on whether the adjective stem ends in a vowel or a final consonant (받침). Let’s look at the three simple rules.

Rule 1: No Final Consonant (Ends in a Vowel) ➡️ Add ‘-ㄴ’

If the adjective stem does not have a final consonant, simply attach -ㄴ to the bottom of the stem.

Dictionary FormStemChangeFinal FormExample Sentence
싸다
(to be cheap)		싸-+ ㄴ싼시장에서 싼 옷을 많이 사요.
(I buy a lot of cheap clothes at the market.)
크다
(to be big)		크-+ ㄴ큰큰 가방을 사고 싶어요.
(I want to buy a big bag.)
예쁘다
(to be pretty)		예쁘-+ ㄴ예쁜저기 예쁜 모자가 있어요.
(There is a pretty hat over there.)
편하다
(to be comfortable)		편하-+ ㄴ편한저는 편한 신발을 찾고 있어요.
(I am looking for comfortable shoes.)

Rule 2: Has a Final Consonant (받침) ➡️ Add ‘-은’

If the adjective stem ends in a final consonant, add -은 right after the stem.

Dictionary FormStemChangeFinal FormExample Sentence
작다
(to be small)		작-+ 은작은아디티 씨는 작은 가방을 찾아요.
(Aditi is looking for a small bag.)
좋다
(to be good)		좋-+ 은좋은여기 정말 좋은 시장이 있어요.
(There is a really good market here.)
많다
(to be many/a lot)		많-+ 은많은주말에 시장에 많은 사람이 왔어요.
(A lot of people came to the market on the weekend.)

Rule 3: ‘ㄹ’ Final Consonant ➡️ Drop ‘ㄹ’ and Add ‘-ㄴ’

If the adjective stem ends in the consonant ㄹ, you must remove the ㄹ first, and then attach -ㄴ underneath.

Dictionary FormStemChangeFinal FormExample Sentence
길다
(to be long)		길-Drop ㄹ + ㄴ긴수엔 씨는 긴 치마를 입었어요.
(Xuyen wore a long skirt.)
멀다
(to be far)		멀-Drop ㄹ + ㄴ먼저는 학교에서 먼 곳에 살아요.
(I live in a place far from the school.)

💡 Teacher’s Note: Watch out for Color Adjectives! (ㅎ Irregular)

Color words like 빨갛다 (to be red), 파랗다 (to be blue), 하얗다 (to be white), and 까맣다 (to be black) drop the ㅎ and change their forms uniquely before a noun:

  • 빨갛다 + 옷 → 빨간 옷 (Red clothes)
  • 파랗다 + 가방 → 파란 가방 (Blue bag)
  • 하얗다 + 신발 → 하얀 신발 (White shoes)
  • 까맣다 + 모자 → 까만 모자 (Black hat)

3. Common Learner Mistakes of Korean adjective modifier

As a beginner, it is very natural to make mistakes. Let’s look at what foreign students frequently mix up so you can avoid these common traps! Understanding these traps will make you a master of the Korean adjective modifier rules.

❌ Incorrect✅ CorrectWhy is it wrong? DOCX
빨갛다 옷빨간 옷You cannot use the base dictionary form directly before a noun. You must conjugate it to match the noun-modifying rule!
작다 가방작은 가방Since the stem 작- has a final consonant, you must append -은 instead of leaving it plain.
먹는 음식–Warning! The formula -ㄴ/은 is strictly used for Adjectives. For Verbs (like 먹다 – to eat, 사다 – to buy), a completely different modifier form (-는) is used. We will learn that in a later chapter!

4. Real-Life Dialogue (At a Local Market)

Let’s read a conversation between two international students: Xuyen (from Vietnam) and Aditi (from India). They are enjoying a weekend shopping trip at a traditional Korean market near their university. Pay close attention to how they use today’s grammar-Korean adjective modifier point!

korean adjective modifier

① Listening Practice (듣기 연습)

Instructions: Listen to the dialogue and answer the following questions.

1) 여기는 어디입니까?

2) 누가 가방을 샀습니까?

  • 아디티 : 수엔 씨, 여기 물건이 정말 많아요! 예쁜 옷도 있어요.
  • 수 엔 : 네, 이 시장은 싼 물건이 많아서 자주 와요. 아디티 씨는 뭘 사고 싶어요?
  • 아디티 : 저는 작은 가방을 찾고 있어요. 어! 저기 빨간 가방이 있어요!
  • 수 엔 : 정말 예쁜 가방이네요.
  • 아디티 : 저 빨간 가방은 얼마예요?
  • 판매원 : 이만 원이에요.
  • 아디티 : 와, 정말 싼 가격이에요! 살게요. 수엔 씨는요?
  • 수 엔 : 저는 편한 하얀 신발을 사고 싶어요. 저쪽에 신발 가게가 있으니까 같이 가요!
👉 Click Dialogue Translation!
  • 아디티 : Xuyen, there are so many things here! There are pretty clothes too.
  • 수 엔 : Yes, this market has a lot of cheap things, so I come here often. What do you want to buy, Aditi?
  • 아디티 : I am looking for a small bag. Oh! There is a red bag over there!
  • 수 엔 : That is a really pretty bag.
  • 아디티 : How much is that red bag?
  • 판매원 : It is 20,000 won.
  • 아디티 : Wow, that is a really cheap price! I will buy it. How about you, Xuyen?
  • 수 엔 : I want to buy comfortable, white shoes. There is a shoe store over there, so let’s go together!

② Comprehension Questions (내용 이해 질문)

1) 아디티 씨는 어떤 가방을 샀습니까?

2) 가방은 얼마입니까?

3) 수엔 씨는 어떤 물건을 사고 싶어 합니까?

5. AI Tutor Practice

🤖 Digital Literacy Tip! The best way to master a new language is to practice using it actively. We want you to use AI as your personal conversation partner! Copy the prompt box below and paste it into ChatGPT (or any AI tool) to start practicing your real-life shopping dialogue with Korean adjective modifier right now.

[Copy and paste this prompt into AI ]

Act as a kind and encouraging Korean language teacher. I am a beginner-level student practicing the grammar "-ㄴ/은 [명사]" (Korean adjective modifying a noun) based on a shopping/market context.

Please follow these steps:
1. Greet me warmly in easy Korean and ask me what kind of item I want to buy at the traditional market today.
2. When I reply in Korean, check if I correctly used the "-ㄴ/은" adjective modifier grammar form. 
3. If I make a mistake with grammar, spelling, or vocabulary, gently point out the error, explain why, and provide the corrected sentence.
4. Keep the conversation going for 3-4 turns by asking simple follow-up questions (such as asking about the color, size, or price of the item).
5. Please use simple Korean suitable for an elementary/TOPIK Level 2 learner, and include English translations in parentheses for your responses so I can follow along easily.

6. Today’s Quiz

Test your understanding of Korean adjective modifier with these practice exercises based on today’s lesson!

[Quiz 1] Conjugate the adjective in the brackets to complete the phrase.

  1. ( 예쁘다: to be pretty ) + 옷 → __________ 옷
  2. ( 작다: to be small ) + 가방 → __________ 가방
  3. ( 편하다: to be comfortable ) + 신발 → __________ 신발
  4. ( 비싸다: to be expensive ) + 옷→ __________ 옷
👉 Click here to see the [Quiz 1 Answers]

  1. 예쁜 옷 (pretty clothes)
  2. 작은 가방 (small bag)
  3. 편한 신발 (comfortable shoes)
  4. 비싼 옷 (expensive clothes)

[Quiz 2] Combine the two short sentences into one fluid sentence using today’s grammar, following the example.

Example (보기): 가방이 있어요. 그 가방은 커요. => 큰 가방이 있어요. (There is a big bag.)

  1. 옷이 있어요. 그 옷은 싸요. => _____________________
  2. 신발이 있어요. 그 신발은 편해요.=> _____________________
👉 Click here to see the [Quiz 2 Answers]
  1. 싼 옷이 있어요. (There are cheap clothes.)
  2. 편한 신발이 있어요. (There are comfortable shoes.)

7. Wrap-up & Next Lesson

Fantastic job today! Today, we completely conquered the korean adjective modifier form!

You have learned how to use the adjective modifier -ㄴ/은 to vividly describe people and objects around you. Now you don’t have to just point at an object and say “this” or “that”—you can proudly say “예쁜 옷 (pretty clothes)” or “작은 가방 (small bag)”!

In our next lesson (Day 2), we will explore how to talk about money and costs at the market using [Korean Numbers: Sino-Korean Numbers (일·이·삼·사…)]. You will learn exactly how to ask for prices and understand numbers up to tens of thousands in Korean!

Keep up the incredible work, stay curious, and see you!

If you have any questions, please leave a comment~!

여러분, 다음에 또 만나요!

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