Counter Reference

Notes

When counting things in Korean, a counter word is included after the number. This word changes based on what is being counted. The general word order is noun → number → counter.
 e.g. 12 apples is 사과 열두 개

There are hundreds of counter words. If a more specific counter isn't known, 개 is the most commonly substituted.

When spelling out a number, a space is used between the number and the counter. When digits are used there is no space.

Native Counters

Things (gae)
People (myeong)
Actions (beon)
Animals마리 (mari)
Vehicles and Machines (dae)
Books (gwon)
Glasses / Cups (jan)

Sino Counters

Degrees (temperature) (do)
Floor Number (cheung)
House Number번지 (beonji)

Date and Time Counters

Years (nyeon)Sino
Month Names (wol)Sino
Months개월 (gaewol)Sino
Months (dal)Native
Weeks주일 (juil)Sino
Days (il)Sino
Hours (o'clock) (si)Native
Hours시간 (sigan)Native
Minutes (bun)Sino
Seconds (cho)Sino