Korean is a beautiful but complex language. Counting to 10 can be simple, it depends on what you are trying to count. In fact, Koreans use two counting systems. But the words are pretty easy to pronounce, so learning to count to 10 in Korean, for example for taekwondo, isn't as difficult as you think.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Learning the Two Systems
Step 1. Practice the Korean system
In Korean, there are two completely different sets of words for numbers, one based on Korean proper, the other on Chinese (this system is sometimes referred to as Sino-Korean). In most cases, to simply count from 1 to 10 (when it is not money or other special cases), the Korean system is used (also valid for taekwondo).
- Korean numbers are written using symbols called "Hangul", which do not belong to the Roman alphabet. The transliteration of these symbols therefore varies and is purely on a phonetic basis.
- 1 하나 (Hana or Hah nah)
- 2 둘 (Dul)
- 3 셋 (Set or Seht)
- 4 넷 (Net or Neht)
- 5 다섯 (Dausut or Dah sut)
- 6 여섯 (Yeosut or Yu sut)
- 7 일곱 (Ilgup)
- 8 여덟 (Yeodul or yu dul)
- 9 아홉 (Ah-hop or ah hob)
- 10 열 (Yul)
- Remember: Koreans use both systems depending on the situation. Therefore, the number 10 can be pronounced with two completely different words according to usage.
- Almost all items are counted using the Korean system when it is not about money. Therefore you have to use Korean numbers to count books, people, trees and all other objects. They are used for object numbers from 1 to 60 and to express age.
Step 2. Learn the Chinese system
It is used for dates, phone numbers, money, addresses and numbers above 60.
- 1 일 (The)
- 2 이 (Ee)
- 3 삼 (Sahm)
- 4 사 (Sah)
- 5 오 (Oh)
- 6 육 (Yook)
- 7 칠 (Chil)
- 8 팔 (Pahl)
- 9 구 (Goo)
- 10 십 (Bb)
- There are some special cases where the Chinese system is used for smaller numbers, such as addresses, telephone numbers, days, months, years, minutes, units of measure and decimal places. Generally though, this system is reserved for numbers larger than 60.
- Although the Korean system is used to count from 1 to 10 in taekwondo, the Chinese system must be used to describe a person's rank. Therefore, a first degree black belt is "Il dan" ("Il" is the Chinese system word for 1).
Step 3. Learn to use the number zero
There are two words for zero, both of which belong to the Chinese system.
- Use 영 to refer to points that can be assigned or taken away (like in a sporting event or TV quiz), temperature, numbers in math.
- Use 공 for phone numbers.
Part 2 of 3: Learning the Pronunciation
Step 1. Say the words correctly
You need to emphasize a specific syllable to pronounce a word correctly. Some websites allow you to listen to recordings of native speakers repeating numbers. You could also register for a comparison.
- Emphasize the right syllable. For example, you should mark the second syllable in hah nah, dah sut and yu sut.
- You should mark the first syllable in ilgup, yu dul and ah hob.
- Don't be surprised if you find different spelling for numbers on websites. You can write Korean symbols in many different ways to try to reproduce their pronunciation.
Step 2. Learn the counting style of taekwondo
In the tradition of this martial art, unstressed syllables almost disappear.
- Sweeten the "l" in chil and pal. It must have the sound of a single and not a double L.
- The "sh" sound of the word ship is more like a normal s. Indeed, pronouncing "sh" can be disastrous; it is a reference to sexual intercourse!
Step 3. Learn when letters are silent or sound the same as others
There are many cases where Korean letters are not pronounced. You must follow this rule to have the correct pronunciation.
- The final "t" is almost silent in seht and neht.
- In Korean, the letter "d" is pronounced as "t" when it is the initial or final consonant and the "l" is pronounced "r" when it is the initial consonant. There are many other rules; if you are interested, you can search for them on the internet.
- In many languages, such as English, words often end with a sound. For example, the "p" in top is pronounced with a short last breath. Koreans do not end words with such sounds, rather they keep their mouth in the same position it was when they pronounced the last consonant of the word.
Part 3 of 3: Studying Other Korean Words
Step 1. Use Korean words for taekwondo terms and kicks
One reason many people want to learn to count in Korean is because of the taekwondo stretches and exercises. If this is why you want to learn Korean numbers, you may find it helpful to study other terms related to this martial art.
- The front kick is "Al Chagi" in Korean. Football is "Chagi". Wheel football is "Dollyo Chagi".
- Some of the most important terms in taekwondo: attention or "Charyut"; return or "Baro"; yells or "Kihap".
- Other words commonly used in taekwondo include: "Kam-sa-ham-ni-da" (thank you); "An-iong-ha-se-io" (hello); "An-niong-hi Ga-se-io" (goodbye).
Step 2. Learn to count beyond 10 in Korean
If you don't want to stop at 10, counting higher numbers is really easy once you understand some basic concepts.
- The word "Yul" means 10 in Korean. So to say 11, just say Yul and the word that means 1, "Hah nah": Yul Hah nah. The same goes for all numbers up to 19. The word is pronounced "yull".
- Number twenty is "Seu-Mool".
- For numbers 21 to 29, it starts with the Korean word for 20. 21 so it's seu-mool plus the word for 1: Seu-Mool Hah nah and so on.
- Use the same approach to count larger numbers with these words: So-Roon (thirty); Ma-Hoon (forty); Sheen (fifty); Yes-Soon (sixty); E-Roon (seventy); Yo-Doon (eighty); Ah-Hoon (ninety); Baek (one hundred).
Step 3. Learn the differences between Korean and other Eastern languages
Korean may sound very similar to Chinese or Japanese to the uninitiated but, in fact, it is very different and fortunately simpler.
- Korean Hangul fonts combine only 24 letters with some simple variations. The same cannot be said for other Asian languages, which can require up to a thousand different symbols.
- In Hangul script, each character represents a syllable starting with a consonant.
- In some ways, learning Italian is more difficult than Korean, due to the presence of irregular verbs and complex tenses. These don't exist in Korean!
Advice
- Ask a Korean native speaker to teach you the pronunciation, as it is impossible to reproduce it perfectly without hearing it first.
- Correct pronunciation is important, especially in relation to the position of the consonants.
- Download audio files for practice.
- You may need to download a program to allow your browser to read Hangul fonts.
