Learn Korean: 번째 + Noun

Let’s take a look at the Korean sentence pattern 번째 + Noun. We use this to modify nouns with ordinal numbers such as first word, second name, and third room. The highlighted words are the ordinal numbers. The nouns are word (단어), name (이름), and room (방). For this particular usage, we only use Pure Korean numbers. Here they are from one to ten: 하나 (2), 둘 (2), 셋 (3), 넷 (4), 다섯 (5), 여섯 (6), 일곱 (7), 여덟 (8), 아홉 (9), and 열 (ten). There are no changes from digits five up, but numbers one to four evolve a little. For one, we use an entirely different word which is 첫. For two to four, we get rid of the final consonant so they become 두, 세, and 네. Then, we add 번째. The noun comes after this combination. First word is 첫 번째 단어. Second name is 두 번째 이름. Third room is 세 번째 방. On the other hand, we cannot use this when talking about family as in first son, second daughter, third aunt, etc. Instead of 번째, we use 째. I would refer my first son as 첫째 아들 and my second daughter as 둘째 딸. If the gender is not necessary, it is okay to use 우리 첫때 and 우리 둘째. 

첫 번째 단어를 몰라요.

I don’t know the first word.

내 둘 번째 이름은 한세야.

My second name is Hanse.

여기가 세 번째 방이에요.

This is the third room.