#22. How to Tell Time in Korean: Easy Step-by-Step Guide

Telling time in Korean can feel confusing at first. That’s because Korean uses two different number systems at the same time. However, once you understand the basic rule, it becomes much easier than you think.

In this guide, you will learn how to tell time step by step and use it in real conversations.

1. The Golden Rule: Hours vs Minutes

Category	Korean	Number System
Hours	시 (si)	Native Korean
Minutes	분 (bun)	Sino-Korean

✔ Example:
3:20 → 세 시 이십 분
(Three o’clock twenty minutes)

2. Hours (Native Korean)

• 1시 → 한 시 (1 o’clock)
• 2시 → 두 시 (2 o’clock)
• 3시 → 세 시 (3 o’clock)
• 4시 → 네 시 (4 o’clock)

3. Minutes (Sino-Korean)

• 10분 → 십 분 (10 minutes)
• 30분 → 삼십 분 / 반 (30 minutes / half)
• 45분 → 사십오 분 (45 minutes)

4. AM / PM Expressions

• 오전 – AM
• 오후 – PM

✔ Example:
오후 두 시 반
(2:30 PM)

5. Real-Life Conversations

A: 지금 몇 시예요?
(What time is it now?)
B: 세 시예요.
(It is 3 o’clock.)

A: 지금 몇 시예요?
(What time is it?)
B: 오후 두 시 반이에요.
(It is 2:30 PM.)

A: 약속이 몇 시예요?
(What time is the appointment?)
B: 네 시예요.
(It is 4 o’clock.)

6. Try It Yourself

• How would you say “3:30” in Korean?
• Try saying “7:15 PM”.
• Ask “What time is it?” in Korean.

PRO TIP:

“시” is used for clock time, but “시간” is used for duration. For example, “두 시” means 2 o’clock, but “두 시간” means 2 hours.

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