Korean count word

Like Chinese and Japanese, Korean uses special measure or counting words to count objects and events, which in Korean are called subullyusa (Hangeul:수분류사 / Hanja: 數分類詞).

In English, one must say, "two sheets of paper" rather than "two papers". In Korean, the term jang (장/) is used to count sheets, or paper-like material in general. So "ten bus tickets" would be beoseu pyo yeol jang (버스 표 열 장 / 버스 票 열 張), literally, "bus ticket ten 'sheets'". In fact, the meanings of counter words are frequently extended in metaphorical or other image-based ways. For instance, in addition to counting simply sheets of paper, jang in Korean can be used to refer to any number of thin, paper-like objects. Leaves (namunnip 나뭇잎) are counted using this count word. In this way, a particular count word may be used generally in a very open-ended manner and up to the construal or creativity of the speaker.

There are two systems of numerals in Korean: native Korean and Sino-Korean. Native Korean numerals are used with most counter words. yeol gwa (열 과 / 열 課) would mean 'ten lessons' while sip gwa (십과/十課) would mean 'lesson ten.' Sino-Korean numerals are used with many (but not all, particularly si (시/), meaning "hour") time counters.

Examples

Some counter words taking Native Korean numerals:


Some counter words taking Sino-Korean numerals:

Some nouns can also function as counter words:

Some words are used for counting in multiples:

See also

References

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