Korean has two number systems that are both used in everyday life. Practice recognizing Sino-Korean numbers (일, 이, 삼 — used for dates, money, and math) and Native Korean numbers (하나, 둘, 셋 — used for counting, age, and hours).
Both number systems are tested on the TOPIK, starting from Level 1. Mastering them early is essential for reading prices, dates, and telling time in Korean.
The Sino-Korean system was borrowed from Chinese and is used for formal/official contexts. The Native Korean system is the original Korean counting system used for everyday counting. Both are essential and used daily by all Korean speakers.
A simple rule: Sino-Korean for dates, money, minutes, and big numbers. Native Korean for counting things, age, and hours. Some contexts like telling time use both: 두(native) 시 삼십(sino) 분 = 2:30.
Yes! Both number systems are part of TOPIK Level 1. Numbers appear in listening comprehension (prices, times, dates) and reading sections throughout all levels.