#33. Top 30 Must-Know Korean Verbs for Beginners

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If nouns are the building blocks of a language, then verbs are the engine. In Korean, the verb is arguably the most important part of the sentence because it always comes at the very end and carries the most information—tense, politeness, and the action itself. Without verbs, you can't say what you did, what you’re doing, or what you plan to do. For beginners, trying to memorize a whole dictionary is overwhelming. That’s why we’ve curated the Top 30 Must-Know Korean Verbs . These are the words you will use every single day, whether you're ordering coffee, meeting friends, or just describing your routine. Let’s get your Korean engine started! 1. Real Usage: The "Stem" Secret When you look up a verb in a Korean dictionary, it always ends in -다 (-da) . This is called the "dictionary form." However, you never actually say "Mok-da" (to eat) when speaking to someone. You drop the -다 to find the "verb stem" and then add ...
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#11. Korean Numbers Explained: Sino-Korean Numbers

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Korean Numbers Explained: Sino-Korean Numbers

One of the first hurdles for Korean learners is the dual number system. Unlike English, Korean uses two distinct sets of numbers: Native Korean and Sino-Korean (based on Chinese characters). While it might seem confusing, Sino-Korean numbers are incredibly logical and used in almost all mathematical contexts.

From checking the price of delicious street food to giving someone your phone number, you cannot navigate daily life in Korea without mastering these digits. Let’s break down the rules and patterns of Sino-Korean numbers.

1. Basic Sino-Korean Numbers (1 to 10)

Sino-Korean numbers are straightforward once you memorize the first ten. Everything after that is just a simple combination of these basic sounds.

Number Hangeul Pronunciation
1 / 2일 / 이il / i
3 / 4삼 / 사sam / sa
5 / 6오 / 육o / yuk
7 / 8칠 / 팔chil / pal
9 / 10구 / 십gu / sip

2. Building Large Numbers

The logic of Sino-Korean numbers is mathematical. You don't need new words for 11 or 20; you simply combine the basics.

Step-by-Step Combination
- 11 (10 + 1): Sip + il = Sip-il
- 20 (2 x 10): I + sip = I-sip
- 35 (3 x 10 + 5): Sam + sip + o = Sam-sip-o
- 100: Baek / 1,000: Cheon / 10,000: Man

3. When to Use Sino-Korean Numbers?

This system is used for measurements, dates, and money. It is the go-to system for anything that involves "math" or "official records."

  • Dates: Years, Months, and Days (e.g., 2024nyeon).
  • Money: Prices in Won (e.g., O-cheon won).
  • Time (Minutes): While hours are Native, minutes are always Sino (e.g., Sam-sip-bun).
  • Floors & Addresses: 5th Floor (O-cheung).
  • Phone Numbers: Giving out your number digit by digit.
Pro Tip

Watch out for June (Yuwol) and October (Siwol). Instead of saying the full 'Yuk-wol' or 'Sip-wol', the final consonants are dropped to make them easier to say. This is a common trap for beginners!

 

 💡 Useful Link

#07. Korean Alphabet Chart for Beginners (Complete Hangul Chart)
#08. Korean Greetings for Beginners: Formal vs Informal
#09. How to Introduce Yourself in Korean (Step-by-Step)
#10. How to Say Thank You and Sorry in Korean
#12. Korean Numbers Explained: Native Korean Numbers

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