Classifiers

01

Word Order and Numbers

The standard word order for counting is Noun + Number + Classifier, where the classifier is a counter word for the kind of thing counted (like "slice" in "a slice of bread"). Most classifiers used for counting physical objects require Native Korean numbers (하나 (ha·na), 둘 (tuldultultul), 셋 (setsetsetseyt), etc.).

Note that the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, and 20 change their form slightly when attached to a classifier:

• 하나 (ha·na) becomes 한 (han)
• 둘 (tuldultultul) becomes 두 (tudututu)
• 셋 (setsetsetseyt) becomes 세 (sesesesey)
• 넷 (netnetnetneyt) becomes 네 (neneneney)
• 스물 (sŭ·mulseu·mulsŭ·mulsu·mul) becomes 스무 (sŭ·museu·musŭ·musu·mu)

• 사과 한 개

  sa·gwa han gæsa·gwa han gaesa·gwa han gaesa·kwa han kay

  One apple (lit. "Apple one unit")

• 바나나 두 개

  pa·na·na du gæba·na·na du gaepa·na·na du gaepa·na·na tu kay

  Two bananas (lit. "Banana two units")

02

The General Classifier: 개 (kæ)

The most common classifier is 개 (kægaekaekay). It is used for inanimate items that do not have a specific category, such as fruit, furniture, or small objects. If you do not know the specific classifier for an object, using 개 (kægaekaekay) is usually understood, though it sounds unnatural when used for people.

• 의자가 세 개 있습니다.

  ŭi·ja·ga se gæ is·sŭm·ni·da.ui·ja·ga se gae is·seum·ni·da.ŭi·ja·ga se gae is·sŭm·ni·da.uy·ca·ka sey kay is·sum·ni·ta.

  There are three chairs.

• 모자 다섯 개 주세요.

  mo·ja da·sŏt gæ ju·se·yo.mo·ja da·seot gae ju·se·yo.mo·ja da·sŏt gae ju·se·yo.mo·ca ta·set kay cu·sey·yo.

  Please give me five hats.

03

Counting People and Animals

Living things have their own classifiers (counter words placed after the number), which cannot be replaced by the general classifier for objects, 개 (kægaekaekay).

• People: Use 명 (myŏngmyeongmyŏngmyeng). For a more polite or formal nuance (like "gentlemen/ladies"), you may hear 분 (punbunpunpun).
• Animals: Use 마리 (ma·rima·rima·rima·li). This applies to all animals, from insects to elephants.

• 학생 네 명이 도서관에 있다.

  hak·sæng ne myŏng·i do·sŏ·gwan·e it·da.hak·saeng ne myeong·i do·seo·gwan·e it·da.hak·saeng ne myŏng·i do·sŏ·gwan·e it·da.hak·sayng ney myeng·i to·se·kwan·ey it·ta.

  There are four students in the library.

• 고양이 한 마리를 샀어요.

  ko·yang·i han ma·ri·rŭl sass·ŏ·yo.go·yang·i han ma·ri·reul sass·eo·yo.ko·yang·i han ma·ri·rŭl sass·ŏ·yo.ko·yang·i han ma·li·lul sass·e·yo.

  I bought one cat.

04

Classifiers for Objects and Food

Besides the general classifier 개 (kægaekaekay), there are many specific classifiers (counter words placed after the number) based on the shape or nature of the object. Here are the most essential ones for beginners:

• 병 (pyŏngbyeongpyŏngpyeng): Bottles. Used for water bottles, beer bottles, etc.
• 잔 (chanjanchancan): Cups or glasses. Used for coffee, tea, juice, or alcohol served in a glass.
• 권 (kwongwonkwŏnkwen): Bound volumes. Used for books, magazines, and notebooks.
• 장 (changjangchangcang): Flat objects. Used for sheets of paper, tickets, shirts, or photos.

• 맥주 두 병 주세요.

  mæk·ju du byŏng ju·se·yo.maek·ju du byeong ju·se·yo.maek·ju du byŏng ju·se·yo.mayk·cu tu pyeng cu·sey·yo.

  Please give me two bottles of beer.

• 커피 한 잔 마시고 싶어요.

  kʰŏ·pʰi han jan ma·si·go sip·ŏ·yo.keo·pi han jan ma·si·go sip·eo·yo.k'ŏ·p'i han jan ma·si·go sip·ŏ·yo.khe·phi han can ma·si·ko sip·e·yo.

  I want to drink a cup of coffee.

• 책 세 권을 읽었습니다.

  chʰæk se gwon·ŭl ilg·ŏs·sŭm·ni·da.chaek se gwon·eul ilg·eos·seum·ni·da.ch'aek se gwŏn·ŭl ilg·ŏs·sŭm·ni·da.chayk sey kwen·ul ilg·es·sum·ni·ta.

  I read three books.

• 티켓 두 장이 필요해요.

  tʰi·kʰet du jang·i pʰir·yo·hæ·yo.ti·ket du jang·i pir·yo·hae·yo.t'i·k'et du jang·i p'ir·yo·hae·yo.thi·kheyt tu cang·i phir·yo·hay·yo.

  I need two tickets.

05

Counting Age

When stating age, Korean uses the classifier 살 (sal) combined with Native Korean numbers.

• 저는 스무 살입니다.

  chŏ·nŭn sŭ·mu sar·im·ni·da.jeo·neun seu·mu sar·im·ni·da.chŏ·nŭn sŭ·mu sar·im·ni·da.ce·nun su·mu sar·im·ni·ta.

  I am twenty years old.

• 아기가 한 살이에요.

  a·gi·ga han sar·i·e·yo.a·gi·ga han sar·i·e·yo.a·gi·ga han sar·i·e·yo.a·ki·ka han sar·i·ey·yo.

  The baby is one year old.