Counting items

Certain objects or items need to be counted with a specific number system (Native Korean or Sino-Korean). Sometimes the same Korean word is used, but has a different meaning based on the number system, i.e. 분, 번, etc.

Native Korean Numbers

Used with numbers like 하나, 둘, 셋, 넷, 다섯. However when used with a countable item, the first four numbers become 한, 두, 세, 네 instead.

Countable Items that use Native Korean Numbers

Item	Meaning	Notes
갑	packs of cigarettes
개	Things, items (vague)	If in doubt about an item, use this as a counter.
권	Book(s), volume(s)	Used for books
그릇	Bowl(s)
달	Month(s)	Same meaning as 개월(Sino-Korean numbers)
대	Mechanical item(s) such as cars
마리	Counter for animal(s)	Often used for when ordering things such as chicken
번	Time(s)	한 번만 했어 (I only did it one time)
병	Bottle(s)	Often used for ordering things such as 소주
분	People (honorific form)	Honorific form of 사람. If you use a Sino-Korean number, then the meaning becomes minutes
사람	People/Persons
살	Age / Years old	Used when you say your age or asking someone else's age(연세 is the honorific form)
시	O'clock
시간	Hour(s)
자루	Small Wooden Item	used for things such as a pencil and *
장	Flat thin objects?
잔	Glass(es)	Used for things like coffee, beer etc

Sino-Korean Numbers

These items use numbers such as 일, 이, 삼, 사, 오 etc.

Countable Items that use Sino-Korean Numbers

Item	Meaning	Notes
개월	Month(s)	Same meaning as 달(Native Korean numbers)
년	Year(s)
도	Degrees(temperature)
배	multiples?
번	Number ~	일 번 = Number 1 (etc)
번선	?
번지	Used for house addresses
분	Minutes	If you use a native Korean number, then the meaning becomes people (honorific form)
원	Won (currency)
월	Month Identifier	일월 would be January, 이월 would be February (etc)
인	People/Person(s)
인분	Servings	Often used at restaurants to order a serving of something, such as meat
일	Day	Used for a specific day in a month, 팔월 구일 would be August 9th
주일?	Week(s)
층	Floor	오층 would mean fifth floor
호	Room number

• Counting days