Korean is beautiful, but quite complicated. However, it is not difficult to count from 1 to 10 in this language – depending on what is being counted. Because of this, Koreans use two number systems. As difficult as it sounds, saying and learning Korean numbers (for example to increase your knowledge or to use them in a Taekwondo class) is something that is easy to do.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Studying Both Number Systems
Step 1. Train yourself to memorize two number systems
These two number systems have different words and pronunciations for each number; some are from Korean and some are from Chinese (this one can also be called Sino-Korean). To count from 1 to 10, people usually use the Korean system (except when using money and in certain situations). This system also applies in Taekwondo classes.
- The numbers in Korean are not written in Latin letters, but in a symbol system called “Hangul.” When translated into Latin, the result can be different, because the writing is adjusted to the way it is read. This is the reason why one site has a different writing than another.
- 1 (Hana or Ha-na)
- 2 (Dul)
- 3 (Set – “e” is read as in ‘stilts’)
- 4 (Net – the way to read “e” is the same as above)
- 5 (Daseot or Da-sot)
- 6 (Yeoseot or Yo-sot)
- 7 (Ilgob or Il-gop)
- 8 (Yeodolb or Yo-dol)
- 9 (Ahob or A-hop)
- 10 (Yeol or Yol)
- Remember this: Both systems can be used simultaneously depending on the situation. Thus, a number, such as the number 10, can be referred to in two different words, depending on what is being counted.
- As previously explained, most objects are calculated using the Korean system, except for money. So anything that can be called an item such as books and trees also uses this system (with the exception of humans, because they are not goods, but remain part of the object). The Korean system is usually used to count the number of items from 1 to 60 and also to calculate age.
Step 2. Apart from the Korean system, it is also a good idea to learn and master the Sino-Korean system
This system is usually used in calendars, telephone numbers, home addresses, and also describes the amount of money and numbers over 60.
- 1 (Il)
- 2 (I or Yi)
- 3 (Sam)
- 4 (Sa)
- 5오(O)
- 6 (Yuk – with the letter “k” sounding like in the word “cook”)
- 7 (Chile)
- 8 (Pal)
- 9 (Gu)
- 10 (Sib or Sip)
- This system can also be used to explain smaller numbers in certain cases, for example to mention addresses, telephone numbers, days, months, years, minutes, units of measurement for length, area, weight, volume, and numbers after commas in decimal number. But generally people use this to refer to numbers above 60.
- In Taekwondo, counting from 1-10 is done using the Korean system, but when it comes to grade levels, the Sino-Korean system is used. Because of this, tier 1 Taekwondo players are called “il dan,” which uses the word one (“il”) from the Sino-Korean system.
Step 3. Also memorize the zeros in Korean
There are two ways to say it, but both come from Chinese.
- Use (yeong or yong) to describe zeros that can be 'omitted', for example in game scores or quizzes; in temperature; or in Mathematics.
- Instead, use 공 (gong) to describe the zero in a phone number.
Part 2 of 3: Mastering Word Pronunciation
Step 1. Pronounce the words correctly
Just like Indonesian and some other languages, the correct pronunciation of Korean also depends on whether or not the syllables are stressed, which is usually different for each word. Some sites have features that make it easier for you to hear how Koreans pronounce the word. After that, you can record yourself as you say it to compare it to the native speaker's pronunciation.
- Notice where the syllable is stressed in a word, then say the word. For example, words like ha-na (1), da-sot (5), yo-sot (6) put more emphasis on the second syllable. So, the way to pronounce it is ha-NA, da-SOT, yo-SOT.
- But for il-gop (7), yo-dol (8), and a-hop (9), you should press the first syllable. So, the way to read it is IL-gop, YO-dol, and A-hop.
- Don't feel confused or discouraged when you find different pronunciations on other sites. Everyone catches the pronunciation of a word differently, so the results will be different when they try to translate it in writing.
Step 2. Master the pronunciation of 1 to 10 in Taekwondo
Unlike the usual pronunciation, stressed syllables are not heard when spoken (for example, the word 'hana' which is usually pronounced 'ha-na' becomes “han” and the word 'daseot' which is usually pronounced 'da-sot' becomes “das”).
- Sound the letter "l" in the words chil and pal. The letter “l” here is sounded in full/round, as if it is being read separately from other letters.
- Usually words in Korean that start with 'si' are read as "shi", but the case is different for 'sib' (10 in the Sino-Korean system), which is pronounced "sip". It's dangerous to pronounce it in the usual way ("ship"), because it can refer to sexual intercourse if it's pronounced wrong.
Step 3. Identify what letters should sound in a word
Many Korean words don't require you to pronounce every single letter they contain, for example the word 'Yeo-dol' (8). The original translation is 'yeo-dolb', as listed above, but the letter 'b' in the word is not read out. If you don't pay attention to this, you won't be able to pronounce it correctly.
- Apart from the 'b' in 'yeo-dolb', the "t" in the words 'set' (3) and 'net' (4) is also not sounded.
- Maybe this one example doesn't remove the whole sound, but only 'reduces' it. In Korean, the "d" at the beginning and end of a word doesn't sound as full as the word 'dada', but like the letter "t", and the letter "l" should be read like an "r" if it appears at the beginning of a word. This is just how much; there are many more rules like this. Search the internet or read a Korean language study guide.
- If you are an English user, there is one more thing to know. English words usually end with a sound, even when the word has a consonant as the final letter. An example can be seen from the word 'trip'. The letter 'p' in this word is pronounced 'ph', causing a breath sound. This is different from Korean. In this case, the consonants are sounded as they are, namely 'p', and no breath sounds are added.
Part 3 of 3: Learning Other Words
Step 1. Use Korean to give commands and say Taekwondo moves
One of the reasons why there are so many people who want to learn Korean is that they are required to say it while warming up and practicing in Taekwondo class. If this is the reason you are learning Korean, it may be more useful for you to memorize the terms below.
- The front kick in Korean is called Ap Chagi (pronounced “Ap-cha-gi”). Kicks are commonly called Chagi (“Cha-gi”). The twisting kick is called Dollyo Chagi ("Dol-yo-cha-gi").
- Some important commands to learn in Taekwondo: Mindfulness or Charyeot ("Chari-yot"); Return to Original Position or Baro ("Ba-ro"); and Shout or Gihap ("Ki-hap").
- Other expressions that are often used in Taekwondo: Thank you (“Kam-sa-ham-i-da”); Hello – (“An-nyong-ha-se-yo”); and Goodbye (“An-nyong-hi Ga-se-yo”).
Step 2. Also memorize the numbers above 10
Yes, who knows you want to learn more. If you already understand the concept, counting tens is no longer a difficult thing.
- In Korean, “Yeol” (or 'Yol') means 10. The number 11 is obtained by combining Yeol with the Korean word for the number 1, which is Hana, to make Yeol Hana (“Yol-ha-na”). This rule also applies to the numbers 12 to 19.
- The number 20 is called “Seu-Mul” – how to read “eu” in Korean is the same as reading “eu” in Sundanese.
- As with the set of tens, start each word for the numbers 21 through 29 with the tens number first - in this case "Seu-Mul". So, the number 21 is called Seu-Mul Ha-na (because it is added to the number 1), the number 22 is called Seu-Mul Dul (plus the number 2), and so on.
- Use the same approach to counting the numbers above it, such as thirty (So-Run); forty (Ma-Hun); fifty (Shin); sixty (Yet-Sun); seventy (I-Run); eighty (Yo-Dun); ninety (Ah-Hun); and one hundred (Baek or Bek).
Step 3. Watch and learn the difference between Korean and other languages
For ordinary people, Korean writing is no different from Chinese or Japanese writing, but we know that Korean is very distinct and also easier to learn.
- Hangul only requires 24 letters to combine and even if there are variations, they are simple and few in number. This is in stark contrast to other East Asian languages which require you to learn more than a thousand symbols.
- In Korean writing, each 'character' or symbol denotes one syllable. And every syllable in Korean begins with a consonant.
- In some ways, learning English is more difficult, because some words can be read in two very different ways, depending on the context, such as the word "read". Korean doesn't need these kinds of rules!
Tips
- Ask a native Korean speaker to teach you, as it will be more difficult to understand how to pronounce a word without listening to how they pronounce it first.
- It is very important to pronounce each word correctly, especially if the word contains several consonants that must be read according to certain rules.
- Download the sound files that are usually provided on Korean learning sites to help you practice.
- You may need to download a program that will allow the browser on your computer to read Hangul characters.
