How to Count Things in Korean
I guess you are
already aware of the fact that Korean has the so-called counting units when
counting (of course) things and people. There are tons of them unfortunately
and it’s a hassle to memorize them all. That’s why many Korean language
learners settle on using ‘개’ which, though understandable, is not
right all the time. So take a look at this short list of counting units and
speak Korean like you never did before.
벌 is the counting unit for clothes as in 셔츠 한 벌, 교복 두 벌,
and 드레스 세 벌.
선물로 드레스 한 벌을 받았다.
I got a dress for a gift.
켤레 is the counting unit for sock and shoes as in 양말 다섯 컬레 and 신발 세 컬레.
신발 몇 컬레가 필요한데?
How many pairs of shoes do you need?
잔 is the counting unit for a glass of drink as in 소주 한 잔 (a
popular ballad song), 우유 두 잔,
and 쥬스 다섯 잔.
소주 한 잔 하자!
Let’s have a glass of soju!
병 is the counting unit for a bottle of drink as
in 콜라 한 병, 맥주 열 병,
and 물 네 병.
바닷가에서 맥주 한 병을 봤어.
I saw a bottle of beer at the beach.
장 is the counting unit for paper, stamp, and postcard
as in 종이 한 장, 유표 아홉 장,
and 엽서 여섯 장.
종이 한 장 주세요.
Please give me a piece of paper.
대 is the counting unit for machines or riding stuff as
in 폰 한 대, 차 세 대,
and 자전거 일곱 대.
우리 가족은 차 3대만 있다니까.
I told you our family only has three cars.
권 is the counting unit for books, notebooks, and the
likes as in 책 일곱 권 and 공책 두 권.
도서관에서 책 몇 권을 빌렸어?
How many books did you borrow at the
library?