Korean Number Reader
See any number in both Sino-Korean and Native Korean, with attributive forms and usage.
Common numbers
Sino-Korean
이십일
dates, money, phone numbers, floors, minutes, IDs
Native Korean
스물하나
age, counting things, hours, people
Attributive (before counters)
스물한
e.g. 스무 살 (20 yrs), 세 개 (3 items), 네 시 (4 o'clock)
Korean uses two number systems together. For time, the hour is Native (한 시) but minutes are Sino (십 분). Age can be either Native (스물한 살) or Sino (이십일 세).
What this tool does
This Korean number reader converts an Arabic number into both Sino-Korean (il, i, sam) and Native Korean (hana, dul, set) at once. Korean picks the system by context: dates, money, phone numbers, and minutes use Sino-Korean, while age, counting things, the hour, and people use Native Korean. Native Korean exists only for 1–99; 100 and above use Sino-Korean. The attributive forms (han, du, se, seu-mu) used before counters are also shown.
Who uses this
- Understand Korea's two number systems as a learner
- Practice saying age and counts (Native Korean)
- Practice reading money, dates, phone numbers (Sino-Korean)
- Tell time — hour (Native) + minute (Sino)
- Read large amounts in Korean (man/eok/jo units)
How to use
- 1Enter a number (a non-negative integer).
- 2Both Sino-Korean and Native Korean readings appear together.
- 3If it is within Native range (1–99), the attributive form (used before a counter) is shown too. Use the presets for common numbers.
The two systems
Sino-Korean (unlimited): yeong·il·i·sam·sa·o·yuk·chil·pal·gu places: sip(10)·baek(100)·cheon(1000) / big units: man·eok·jo 1 is dropped before 십/백/천 (천=1000, 백=100, 십=10) a man-group of 1 is read '만' (not 일만); 억·조 keep '일억'·'일조' Native Korean (1–99): hana·dul·set·net·daseot·yeoseot·ilgop·yeodeol·ahop·yeol tens: yeol·seumul·seoreun·maheun·swin·yesun·ilheun·yeodeun·aheun attributive: hana→han, dul→du, set→se, net→ne, seumul→seumu e.g. age 20 = 스무 살, 21 items = 스물한 개
Worked examples
Example 1: 21 → 이십일 / 스물하나
Sino '이십일' (IDs, money), Native '스물하나' (age, counting). For age you say the attributive '스물한 살'.
Example 2: 3:30
The hour uses Native attributive '세 시', the minute uses Sino '삼십 분' → '세 시 삼십 분'. Time mixes both systems.
Example 3: 12,345 → 만이천삼백사십오
The man-group of 1 drops '일' and starts with '만'. Being 100+, there is no Native form — Sino only.
Frequently asked questions
When do I use Sino vs Native Korean?+
Sino-Korean (il, i, sam) for dates, money, phone numbers, floors, minutes, IDs, and age in '세'. Native Korean (hana, dul, set) for counting things, age in '살', the hour, and people. e.g. 3 items = 세 개 (Native), March = 삼월 (Sino).
Why does Native Korean only go up to 99?+
Native Korean numerals exist only through 아흔아홉 (99); 100 and above use Sino-Korean (백, 천, 만). There are no everyday Native words for 100+.
Why are '스무 살' and '스물한 살' different?+
Before a counter, Native numbers take an attributive form. 20 alone is '스무' (스무 살), but 21 is '스물한' (스물한 살). hana/dul/set/net also become han/du/se/ne.
Why is 10000 '만' but 100000000 '일억'?+
When the man-group is exactly 1, '일' is conventionally dropped, so it reads '만' (만 원). For 억 and 조, the standard keeps '일', reading '일억' and '일조'.
How do you read 0?+
As Sino-Korean '영' or '공' (phone numbers usually use '공'). This tool shows '영'. Native Korean has no numeral for 0.
Cautions
- •Native Korean covers only 1–99 — use Sino-Korean for 100+.
- •Before a counter, Native takes the attributive form (han, du, se, seumu).
- •10000 reads '만' (drops 일); 억/조 keep '일억'/'일조'.
- •0 is '영/공' — this tool shows '영'.
Related tools
Last reviewed: 2026-06-06