Counting items

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Certain objects or items need to be counted with a specific number system (Native Korean or Sino-Korean). Sometimes the same Korean word is used, but has a different meaning based on the number system, i.e. 분, 번, etc.

Native Korean Numbers

Countable Items that use Native Korean Numbers
Item Meaning Notes
packs of cigarettes
Things, items (vague) If in doubt about an item, use this as a counter.
Book(s), volume(s) Used for books
그릇 Bowl(s)
Month(s) Same meaning as 개월(Sino-Korean numbers)
Mechanical item(s) such as cars
마리 Counter for animal(s) Often used for when ordering things such as chicken
Time(s) 한 번만 했어 (I only did it one time)
Bottle(s) Often used for ordering things such as 소주
People (honorific form) Honorific form of 사람. If you use a Sino-Korean number, then the meaning becomes minutes
사람 People/Persons
Age / Years old Used when you say your age or asking someone else's age(연세 is the honorific form)
O'clock
시간 Hour(s)
자루 Small Wooden Item used for things such as a pencil and *
Flat thin objects?
Glasse(s) Used for things like coffee, beer etc


Sino-Korean Numbers

These items use numbers such as 일, 이, 삼, 사, 오 etc.


Countable Items that use Sino-Korean Numbers
Item Meaning Notes
개월 Month(s) Same meaning as 달(Native Korean numbers)
Year(s)
Degrees(temperature)
multiples?
Number ~ 일 번 = Number 1 (etc)
번선  ?
번지 Used for house addresses
Minutes If you use a native Korean number, then the meaning becomes people (honorific form)
Won (currency)
Month Identifier 일월 would be January, 이월 would be February (etc)
People/Person(s)
인분 Servings Often used at restaurants to order a serving of something, such as meat
Day Used for a specific day in a month, 팔월 구일 would be August 9th
주일? Week(s)
Floor 오층 would mean fifth floor
Room number