명 · 개 · 시 · 분 – Korean counters
- Meaning
- counting words for people, things and time
- Level
- Beginner
- Topic
- Numbers, counters & questions
Korean counts with a number plus a counter word: 사람 두 명 = two people, 사과 세 개 = three apples. Native numbers shorten before a counter: 하나 → 한, 둘 → 두, 셋 → 세, 넷 → 네.
Key rules
- Native numbers
- Sino-Korean
- Duration
- 명 for people
- 분 for respected people
- Native numbers + 명/분
- Modified numbers
- Before counters
Examples with 명 · 개 · 시 · 분
The highlighted part is the grammar form.
- 한 명 왔어요 Han myeong wasseoyo One person came 명 is the standard counter for people.
- 세 명 있어요 Se myeong isseoyo There are three people 셋 → 세 before counters.
- 몇 분 이세요? Myeot bun-iseyo? How many people are there? 분 is the honorific counter for people.
- 두 명이요 Du myeong-iyo Two people (for seating) Common restaurant phrase.
- 다섯 분 오셨어요 Daseot bun osyeosseoyo Five guests came Use 분 with 오시다 for respect.
- 학생이 몇 명이에요? Haksaeng-i myeot myeong-ieyo? How many students are there? 명 for counting students.
- 가족이 네 명이에요 Gajok-i ne myeong-ieyo There are four family members 넷 → 네 before counters.
- 파티에 열 명 왔어요 Pati-e yeol myeong wasseoyo Ten people came to the party 열 doesn't change before counters.
- 물 한 병 주세요 Mul han byeong juseyo One bottle of water please 병 counts bottles.
- 커피 두 잔 주세요 Keopi du jan juseyo Two cups of coffee please 잔 counts cups/glasses of drinks.
- 책 세 권 읽었어요 Chaek se gwon ilgeosseoyo I read three books 권 counts bound volumes like books.
- 종이 네 장 주세요 Jong-i ne jang juseyo Four sheets of paper please 장 counts flat things (paper, photos).
Vocabulary in these examples
분honorific
몇how many
병bottles
잔cups/glasses
번times
켤레pairs
마리animals
대machines/vehicles
시hours (native)
시간duration
일day
주week
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