Learning to count in Korean is a fundamental step in mastering the language. While the numbers 1-10 are often the first to be learned, understanding how to express larger numbers like 70 is equally important.
This guide provides a detailed exploration of how to say “70” in Korean, covering both the Sino-Korean and Native Korean number systems. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, this comprehensive guide will help you understand and use the number “70” correctly in various contexts, from counting objects to telling time.
This article will benefit language learners of all levels, from those just starting their Korean language journey to intermediate or advanced learners looking to refine their numerical skills. By understanding the nuances of Korean numbers, you’ll be able to communicate more effectively and accurately in everyday situations.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Definition of “70” in Korean
- Structural Breakdown: Sino-Korean vs. Native Korean
- Korean Number Systems
- Examples of Using “70” in Korean
- Usage Rules for “70” in Korean
- Common Mistakes When Saying “70”
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics
- FAQ
- Conclusion
Definition of “70” in Korean
In Korean, “70” can be expressed in two different number systems: the Sino-Korean system and the Native Korean system. The Sino-Korean system, derived from Chinese, is used for counting larger numbers, money, measurements, and dates. The Native Korean system is typically used for counting objects, age, and time (hours). Therefore, understanding both systems is crucial for accurate communication.
For the number 70, the Sino-Korean representation is 칠십 (chil-sip), which is formed by combining 칠 (chil), meaning “seven,” and 십 (sip), meaning “ten.” The Native Korean representation is 일흔 (il-heun). Knowing when and how to use each system is key to fluency in Korean.
Structural Breakdown: Sino-Korean vs. Native Korean
The structure of Korean numbers differs significantly between the Sino-Korean and Native Korean systems. The Sino-Korean system is based on combining individual number components, while the Native Korean system has distinct words for each number up to 99. Understanding these structural differences is essential for using numbers correctly.
In the case of “70,” the Sino-Korean number 칠십 (chil-sip) literally translates to “seven ten,” reflecting its component structure. In contrast, the Native Korean number 일흔 (il-heun) is a standalone word. The context of use dictates which system is appropriate.
Korean Number Systems
Korean employs two primary number systems: Sino-Korean and Native Korean. Each system has specific contexts in which it is preferred or required.
Mastering both systems is crucial for fluency in Korean.
Sino-Korean Numbers
The Sino-Korean number system is derived from Chinese and is used in a variety of contexts, including counting money, measuring quantities, stating phone numbers, and indicating dates. These numbers are generally used for larger quantities and more formal situations. The Sino-Korean number for “70” is 칠십 (chil-sip).
The Sino-Korean system is built upon the base-ten system, similar to English. To form larger numbers, you combine the numbers for each place value. For example, 70 is “seven ten,” hence chil-sip.
Native Korean Numbers
The Native Korean number system is used for counting objects, stating age, and telling time (specifically, hours). These numbers are typically used for smaller quantities and more informal settings. The Native Korean number for “70” is 일흔 (il-heun).
Unlike the Sino-Korean system, Native Korean numbers have unique words for numbers up to 99. Beyond 99, the Sino-Korean system is used. It’s important to remember that while il-heun means 70, its usage is limited to certain contexts.
Examples of Using “70” in Korean
Understanding how to use “70” in different contexts is essential for practical application. The choice between Sino-Korean (칠십) and Native Korean (일흔) depends on the situation.
Age
When stating someone’s age, the Native Korean number system is typically used. Therefore, to say someone is 70 years old, you would use 일흔 (il-heun) along with the counter 살 (sal), which means “years old.”
For example: “그녀는 일흔 살입니다 (geu-nyeo-neun il-heun sal-im-ni-da)” which means “She is 70 years old.”
Here’s a table illustrating the use of Native Korean numbers for age:
| Age | Korean (Native) | Pronunciation | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| 70 | 일흔 살 (Il-heun sal) | Il-heun sal | 할머니는 일흔 살이십니다. (Hal-meo-ni-neun il-heun sal-i-sim-ni-da.) |
| 71 | 일흔한 살 (Il-heun-han sal) | Il-heun-han sal | 그는 일흔한 살입니다. (Geu-neun il-heun-han sal-im-ni-da.) |
| 72 | 일흔두 살 (Il-heun-du sal) | Il-heun-du sal | 저의 할아버지는 일흔두 살입니다. (Jeo-ui hal-a-beo-ji-neun il-heun-du sal-im-ni-da.) |
| 73 | 일흔세 살 (Il-heun-se sal) | Il-heun-se sal | 그녀는 일흔세 살이 되었습니다. (Geu-nyeo-neun il-heun-se sal-i doe-eo-sseum-ni-da.) |
| 74 | 일흔네 살 (Il-heun-ne sal) | Il-heun-ne sal | 선생님은 일흔네 살입니다. (Seon-saeng-nim-eun il-heun-ne sal-im-ni-da.) |
| 75 | 일흔다섯 살 (Il-heun-da-seot sal) | Il-heun-da-seot sal | 그녀의 어머니는 일흔다섯 살입니다. (Geu-nyeo-ui eo-meo-ni-neun il-heun-da-seot sal-im-ni-da.) |
| 76 | 일흔여섯 살 (Il-heun-yeo-seot sal) | Il-heun-yeo-seot sal | 그는 일흔여섯 살입니다. (Geu-neun il-heun-yeo-seot sal-im-ni-da.) |
| 77 | 일흔일곱 살 (Il-heun-il-gop sal) | Il-heun-il-gop sal | 우리 할아버지는 일흔일곱 살입니다. (Uri hal-a-beo-ji-neun il-heun-il-gop sal-im-ni-da.) |
| 78 | 일흔여덟 살 (Il-heun-yeo-deol sal) | Il-heun-yeo-deol sal | 그녀는 일흔여덟 살입니다. (Geu-nyeo-neun il-heun-yeo-deol sal-im-ni-da.) |
| 79 | 일흔아홉 살 (Il-heun-a-hop sal) | Il-heun-a-hop sal | 선생님은 일흔아홉 살입니다. (Seon-saeng-nim-eun il-heun-a-hop sal-im-ni-da.) |
| 80 | 여든 살 (Yeo-deun sal) | Yeo-deun sal | 할머니는 여든 살이십니다. (Hal-meo-ni-neun yeo-deun sal-i-sim-ni-da.) |
Money
When dealing with money, the Sino-Korean number system is used. To say “70 won,” you would use 칠십 원 (chil-sip won).
For example: “이것은 칠십 원입니다 (i-geo-seun chil-sip won-im-ni-da)” which means “This is 70 won.”
Here’s a table illustrating the use of Sino-Korean numbers for money:
| Amount | Korean (Sino) | Pronunciation | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| 70 won | 칠십 원 (Chil-sip won) | Chil-sip won | 이 사탕은 칠십 원입니다. (I sa-tang-eun chil-sip won-im-ni-da.) |
| 71 won | 칠십일 원 (Chil-si-bil won) | Chil-si-bil won | 이 껌은 칠십일 원입니다. (I kkeom-eun chil-si-bil won-im-ni-da.) |
| 72 won | 칠십이 원 (Chil-si-bi won) | Chil-si-bi won | 이 초콜릿은 칠십이 원입니다. (I cho-kol-lit-eun chil-si-bi won-im-ni-da.) |
| 73 won | 칠십삼 원 (Chil-sip-sam won) | Chil-sip-sam won | 이 젤리는 칠십삼 원입니다. (I jel-li-neun chil-sip-sam won-im-ni-da.) |
| 74 won | 칠십사 원 (Chil-sip-sa won) | Chil-sip-sa won | 이 과자는 칠십사 원입니다. (I gwa-ja-neun chil-sip-sa won-im-ni-da.) |
| 75 won | 칠십오 원 (Chil-sip-o won) | Chil-sip-o won | 이 아이스크림은 칠십오 원입니다. (I a-i-seu-keu-rim-eun chil-sip-o won-im-ni-da.) |
| 76 won | 칠십육 원 (Chil-sim-nyuk won) | Chil-sim-nyuk won | 이 음료수는 칠십육 원입니다. (I eum-nyo-su-neun chil-sim-nyuk won-im-ni-da.) |
| 77 won | 칠십칠 원 (Chil-sip-chil won) | Chil-sip-chil won | 이 빵은 칠십칠 원입니다. (I ppang-eun chil-sip-chil won-im-ni-da.) |
| 78 won | 칠십팔 원 (Chil-sip-pal won) | Chil-sip-pal won | 이 컵케이크는 칠십팔 원입니다. (I keop-ke-i-keu-neun chil-sip-pal won-im-ni-da.) |
| 79 won | 칠십구 원 (Chil-sip-gu won) | Chil-sip-gu won | 이 도넛은 칠십구 원입니다. (I do-neot-eun chil-sip-gu won-im-ni-da.) |
| 80 won | 팔십 원 (Pal-sip won) | Pal-sip won | 이 핫도그는 팔십 원입니다. (I hat-do-geu-neun pal-sip won-im-ni-da.) |
Measurements
When dealing with measurements, such as length, weight, or volume, the Sino-Korean number system is typically used. For example, to say “70 centimeters,” you would use 칠십 센티미터 (chil-sip sen-ti-mi-teo).
For example: “이 책상은 칠십 센티미터입니다 (i chaek-sang-eun chil-sip sen-ti-mi-teo-im-ni-da)” which means “This desk is 70 centimeters.”
Here’s a table illustrating the use of Sino-Korean numbers for measurements:
| Measurement | Korean (Sino) | Pronunciation | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| 70 cm | 칠십 센티미터 (Chil-sip sen-ti-mi-teo) | Chil-sip sen-ti-mi-teo | 이 테이블은 칠십 센티미터입니다. (I te-i-beul-eun chil-sip sen-ti-mi-teo-im-ni-da.) |
| 71 cm | 칠십일 센티미터 (Chil-si-bil sen-ti-mi-teo) | Chil-si-bil sen-ti-mi-teo | 이 선반은 칠십일 센티미터입니다. (I seon-ban-eun chil-si-bil sen-ti-mi-teo-im-ni-da.) |
| 72 cm | 칠십이 센티미터 (Chil-si-bi sen-ti-mi-teo) | Chil-si-bi sen-ti-mi-teo | 이 의자는 칠십이 센티미터입니다. (I ui-ja-neun chil-si-bi sen-ti-mi-teo-im-ni-da.) |
| 73 cm | 칠십삼 센티미터 (Chil-sip-sam sen-ti-mi-teo) | Chil-sip-sam sen-ti-mi-teo | 이 거울은 칠십삼 센티미터입니다. (I geo-ul-eun chil-sip-sam sen-ti-mi-teo-im-ni-da.) |
| 74 cm | 칠십사 센티미터 (Chil-sip-sa sen-ti-mi-teo) | Chil-sip-sa sen-ti-mi-teo | 이 액자는 칠십사 센티미터입니다. (I aek-ja-neun chil-sip-sa sen-ti-mi-teo-im-ni-da.) |
| 75 cm | 칠십오 센티미터 (Chil-sip-o sen-ti-mi-teo) | Chil-sip-o sen-ti-mi-teo | 이 그림은 칠십오 센티미터입니다. (I geu-rim-eun chil-sip-o sen-ti-mi-teo-im-ni-da.) |
| 76 cm | 칠십육 센티미터 (Chil-sim-nyuk sen-ti-mi-teo) | Chil-sim-nyuk sen-ti-mi-teo | 이 시계는 칠십육 센티미터입니다. (I si-gye-neun chil-sim-nyuk sen-ti-mi-teo-im-ni-da.) |
| 77 cm | 칠십칠 센티미터 (Chil-sip-chil sen-ti-mi-teo) | Chil-sip-chil sen-ti-mi-teo | 이 커튼은 칠십칠 센티미터입니다. (I keo-teun-eun chil-sip-chil sen-ti-mi-teo-im-ni-da.) |
| 78 cm | 칠십팔 센티미터 (Chil-sip-pal sen-ti-mi-teo) | Chil-sip-pal sen-ti-mi-teo | 이 베개는 칠십팔 센티미터입니다. (I be-gae-neun chil-sip-pal sen-ti-mi-teo-im-ni-da.) |
| 79 cm | 칠십구 센티미터 (Chil-sip-gu sen-ti-mi-teo) | Chil-sip-gu sen-ti-mi-teo | 이 인형은 칠십구 센티미터입니다. (I in-hyeong-eun chil-sip-gu sen-ti-mi-teo-im-ni-da.) |
| 80 cm | 팔십 센티미터 (Pal-sip sen-ti-mi-teo) | Pal-sip sen-ti-mi-teo | 이 상자는 팔십 센티미터입니다. (I sang-ja-neun pal-sip sen-ti-mi-teo-im-ni-da.) |
Phone Numbers
When stating phone numbers, the Sino-Korean number system is always used. To say the number “010-1234-0070”, you would read the last four digits using Sino-Korean numbers: 공공칠십 (gong-gong-chil-sip).
For example: “제 전화번호는 공일공-일이삼사-공공칠십입니다 (je jeon-hwa-beon-ho-neun gong-il-gong-il-i-sam-sa-gong-gong-chil-sip-im-ni-da)” which means “My phone number is 010-1234-0070.”
Here’s a table illustrating the use of Sino-Korean numbers for phone numbers:
| Phone Number | Korean (Sino) | Pronunciation | Full Phone Number Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0070 | 공공칠십 (Gong-gong-chil-sip) | Gong-gong-chil-sip | 010-1234-0070 (공일공- 일이삼사- 공공칠십) |
| 0071 | 공공칠십일 (Gong-gong-chil-si-bil) | Gong-gong-chil-si-bil | 010-1234-0071 (공일공- 일이삼사- 공공칠십일) |
| 0072 | 공공칠십이 (Gong-gong-chil-si-bi) | Gong-gong-chil-si-bi | 010-1234-0072 (공일공- 일이삼사- 공공칠십이) |
| 0073 | 공공칠십삼 (Gong-gong-chil-sip-sam) | Gong-gong-chil-sip-sam | 010-1234-0073 (공일공- 일이삼사- 공공칠십삼) |
| 0074 | 공공칠십사 (Gong-gong-chil-sip-sa) | Gong-gong-chil-sip-sa | 010-1234-0074 (공일공- 일이삼사- 공공칠십사) |
| 0075 | 공공칠십오 (Gong-gong-chil-sip-o) | Gong-gong-chil-sip-o | 010-1234-0075 (공일공- 일이삼사- 공공칠십오) |
| 0076 | 공공칠십육 (Gong-gong-chil-sim-nyuk) | Gong-gong-chil-sim-nyuk | 010-1234-0076 (공일공- 일이삼사- 공공칠십육) |
| 0077 | 공공칠십칠 (Gong-gong-chil-sip-chil) | Gong-gong-chil-sip-chil | 010-1234-0077 (공일공- 일이삼사- 공공칠십칠) |
| 0078 | 공공칠십팔 (Gong-gong-chil-sip-pal) | Gong-gong-chil-sip-pal | 010-1234-0078 (공일공- 일이삼사- 공공칠십팔) |
| 0079 | 공공칠십구 (Gong-gong-chil-sip-gu) | Gong-gong-chil-sip-gu | 010-1234-0079 (공일공- 일이삼사- 공공칠십구) |
| 0080 | 공공팔십 (Gong-gong-pal-sip) | Gong-gong-pal-sip | 010-1234-0080 (공일공- 일이삼사- 공공팔십) |
Dates
When expressing dates, the Sino-Korean number system is used. For example, to say “July 10th,” you would use 칠월 십일 (chil-wol sip-il). The month is stated first, followed by the day.
Here’s a table illustrating the use of Sino-Korean numbers for dates:
| Date | Korean (Sino) | Pronunciation | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 10th | 칠월 십일 (Chil-wol sip-il) | Chil-wol sip-il | 제 생일은 칠월 십일입니다. (Je saeng-il-eun chil-wol sip-il-im-ni-da.) |
| July 11th | 칠월 십일일 (Chil-wol sip-il-il) | Chil-wol sip-il-il | 회의는 칠월 십일일입니다. (Hoe-ui-neun chil-wol sip-il-il-im-ni-da.) |
| July 12th | 칠월 십이일 (Chil-wol sip-i-il) | Chil-wol sip-i-il | 출시는 칠월 십이일입니다. (Chul-si-neun chil-wol sip-i-il-im-ni-da.) |
| July 13th | 칠월 십삼일 (Chil-wol sip-sam-il) | Chil-wol sip-sam-il | 여행은 칠월 십삼일입니다. (Yeo-haeng-eun chil-wol sip-sam-il-im-ni-da.) |
| July 14th | 칠월 십사일 (Chil-wol sip-sa-il) | Chil-wol sip-sa-il | 시험은 칠월 십사일입니다. (Si-heom-eun chil-wol sip-sa-il-im-ni-da.) |
| July 15th | 칠월 십오일 (Chil-wol sip-o-il) | Chil-wol sip-o-il | 파티는 칠월 십오일입니다. (Pa-ti-neun chil-wol sip-o-il-im-ni-da.) |
| July 16th | 칠월 십육일 (Chil-wol sim-nyug-il) | Chil-wol sim-nyug-il | 콘서트는 칠월 십육일입니다. (Kon-seo-teu-neun chil-wol sim-nyug-il-im-ni-da.) |
| July 17th | 칠월 십칠일 (Chil-wol sip-chil-il) | Chil-wol sip-chil-il | 휴가는 칠월 십칠일입니다. (Hyu-ga-neun chil-wol sip-chil-il-im-ni-da.) |
| July 18th | 칠월 십팔일 (Chil-wol sip-pal-il) | Chil-wol sip-pal-il | 수업은 칠월 십팔일입니다. (Su-eop-eun chil-wol sip-pal-il-im-ni-da.) |
| July 19th | 칠월 십구일 (Chil-wol sip-gu-il) | Chil-wol sip-gu-il | 미팅은 칠월 십구일입니다. (Mi-ting-eun chil-wol sip-gu-il-im-ni-da.) |
| July 20th | 칠월 이십일 (Chil-wol i-sip-il) | Chil-wol i-sip-il | 마감일은 칠월 이십일입니다. (Ma-gam-il-eun chil-wol i-sip-il-im-ni-da.) |
Usage Rules for “70” in Korean
The primary rule for using “70” in Korean is to choose the correct number system based on the context. Use the Sino-Korean number 칠십 (chil-sip) for money, measurements, phone numbers, and dates. Use the Native Korean number 일흔 (il-heun) for age and counting objects. However, when counting objects, Native Korean numbers are typically used for numbers up to 99.
There are some exceptions to this rule. For example, when telling time, you use Native Korean numbers for hours and Sino-Korean numbers for minutes. Therefore, “7:30” would be 일흔 시 삼십분 (il-heun si sam-sip-bun) – this is INCORRECT, it should be 일곱 시 삼십분 (il-gop si sam-sip-bun). You would still use Sino-Korean numbers for minutes. This is a common exception that requires careful attention.
Another important aspect is the use of counters. Counters are words that specify the type of object being counted. When using Native Korean numbers to count objects, you must use the appropriate counter. For example, if you are counting books, you would use the counter 권 (gwon). Therefore, “70 books” would be 일흔 권 (il-heun gwon).
Common Mistakes When Saying “70”
One of the most common mistakes is using the wrong number system. For example, saying 일흔 원 (il-heun won) when referring to money is incorrect; you should use 칠십 원 (chil-sip won). Similarly, saying 칠십 살 (chil-sip sal) when referring to age is incorrect; you should use 일흔 살 (il-heun sal).
Another common mistake is forgetting to use counters when counting objects with Native Korean numbers. For example, saying 일흔 책 (il-heun chaek) is incorrect; you should use 일흔 권의 책 (il-heun gwon-ui chaek).
Here’s a table highlighting common mistakes and their corrections:
| Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 일흔 원 (Il-heun won) | 칠십 원 (Chil-sip won) | Using Native Korean for money is wrong; use Sino-Korean. |
| 칠십 살 (Chil-sip sal) | 일흔 살 (Il-heun sal) | Using Sino-Korean for age is wrong; use Native Korean. |
| 일흔 책 (Il-heun chaek) | 일흔 권의 책 (Il-heun gwon-ui chaek) | Forgetting the counter ‘권’ (gwon) for books. |
| 칠십 시 (Chil-sip si) | 일곱 시 (Il-gop si) | Using Sino-Korean for hours is incorrect. Use Native Korean for hours. |
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding of “70” in Korean with these practice exercises. Determine whether to use the Sino-Korean or Native Korean number system and provide the correct answer.
Exercise 1:
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How do you say “70 years old”? | 일흔 살 (Il-heun sal) |
| How do you say “70 won”? | 칠십 원 (Chil-sip won) |
| How do you say “70 centimeters”? | 칠십 센티미터 (Chil-sip sen-ti-mi-teo) |
| How do you say “My phone number ends in 0070”? | 공공칠십 (Gong-gong-chil-sip) |
| How do you say “July 10th”? | 칠월 십일 (Chil-wol sip-il) |
| How do you say “I have 70 apples”? | 사과 일흔 개 (Sagwa il-heun gae) |
| How do you say “The bus number is 70”? | 버스 번호는 칠십 번입니다 (Beoseu beonhoneun chil-sip beonimnida) |
| How do you say “The temperature is 70 degrees”? | 온도는 칠십 도입니다 (Ondoneun chil-sip doimnida) |
| How do you say “There are 70 students in the class”? | 수업에는 칠십 명의 학생이 있습니다 (Sueobeneun chil-sip myeong-ui haksaengi isseumnida) |
| How do you say “I bought 70 books”? | 책 일흔 권을 샀어요 (Chaek il-heun gwoneul sasseoyo) |
Advanced Topics
For advanced learners, understanding more nuanced aspects of using “70” in Korean can be beneficial. This includes understanding formal and informal speech levels, and how they might affect the way you use numbers.
For example, in very formal settings, you might use more elaborate expressions or honorifics when discussing age or amounts of money.
Additionally, exploring Korean idioms or expressions that involve the number 70 can provide deeper cultural insight. Although not as common as with some other numbers, understanding such expressions can enrich your comprehension of the language and culture.
Another advanced topic is understanding how Korean numbers are used in specialized fields such as mathematics, science, or technology. Each field may have specific conventions or terminology that are important to be aware of.
FAQ
When should I use Sino-Korean vs. Native Korean numbers?
Use Sino-Korean numbers for money, measurements, dates, phone numbers, and addresses. Use Native Korean numbers for age, counting objects (up to 99), and hours.
How do I say “70 years old” in Korean?
You would say “일흔 살 (il-heun sal).”
How do I say “70 won” in Korean?
You would say “칠십 원 (chil-sip won).”
Are there any exceptions to the rule of using Native Korean for age?
Generally, you should use Native Korean numbers for age. However, in some very formal or technical contexts, Sino-Korean might be used, though this is rare.
How do counters work with Native Korean numbers?
When using Native Korean numbers to count objects, you must use the appropriate counter. For example, “70 books” would be “책 일흔 권 (chaek il-heun gwon)”.
Is it okay to mix Sino-Korean and Native Korean numbers?
Generally, it’s best to keep the number system consistent within a single phrase or sentence. Mixing them can cause confusion.
Conclusion
Understanding how to say “70” in Korean involves knowing both the Sino-Korean (칠십) and Native Korean (일흔) number systems and when to use each. The Sino-Korean system is used for money, measurements, dates, and phone numbers, while the Native Korean system is primarily used for age and counting objects.
By mastering these rules and practicing with examples, you can confidently and accurately use the number “70” in various Korean contexts. Remember to pay attention to counters when counting objects and avoid common mistakes such as using the wrong number system.
With consistent practice, you’ll enhance your Korean language skills and communicate more effectively.