Korean · Time, Numbers & Colors
"Nine" in Korean: 구 / 아홉
구 / 아홉gu / ahop
Nine in Korean is 구 / 아홉 (gu / ahop). 구 is the Sino-Korean form for 9; use it for minutes, dates, prices, and calculation. 아홉 is the native Korean form; 아홉 is used before a general item counter.
Nine: starting the exchange
구 분만 기다려 주세요.gu bunman gidaryeo juseyo.
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How to pronounce 구 / 아홉
Say it
gu / ahop
/ku/
구 / 아홉 is read gu / ahop. In 아홉 개, read the full phrase as ahop gae.
"Nine" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 구 / 아홉gu / ahop | Nine The inventory form for nine. | The inventory form for nine. |
| 아홉 개ahop gae | 9 items 구 is the Sino-Korean form for 9; use it for minutes, dates, prices, and calculation. 아홉 is the native Korean form; 아홉 is used before a general item counter. | 구 is the Sino-Korean form for 9; use it for minutes, dates, prices, and calculation. 아홉 is the native Korean form; 아홉 is used before a general item counter. |
How to use 구 / 아홉 in real life
- 1Nine: starting the exchange
구 분만 기다려 주세요.
gu bunman gidaryeo juseyo.
Please wait just 9 minutes.
구 is the Sino-Korean value used before the minute counter 분.
- 2Nine: adding useful context
구 더하기 구는 얼마예요?
gu deohagi guneun eolmayeyo?
What is 9 plus 9?
This calculation uses the Sino-Korean numeral 구.
- 3Nine: a different conversation
아홉 개가 필요해요.
ahop gaega piryohaeyo.
I need 9 items.
아홉 is the counting form used before 개 in this item quantity.
Mistakes English speakers make with 구 / 아홉
Incorrect: 구 분만 기다려 주으세요.
Correct: 구 분만 기다려 주세요.
When practicing nine, the vowel-final stem 주 takes 세요 directly; do not add 으. The complete correction is 구 분만 기다려 주세요.
Incorrect: 아홉 분만 기다려 주세요.
Correct: 구 분만 기다려 주세요.
When practicing nine, minutes use Sino-Korean 구, rather than the native number 아홉 used with many item counters.
Good to know
구 is the Sino-Korean form for 9; use it for minutes, dates, prices, and calculation. 아홉 is the native Korean form; 아홉 is used before a general item counter.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led time numbers and colors study exercise: two sentences with 구 / 아홉
Partner
이 표현을 사용해서 한 문장 말해 볼까요?
i pyohyeoneul sayonghaeseo han munjang malhae bolkkayo?
Shall we say a sentence using this expression?
You
구 분만 기다려 주세요.
gu bunman gidaryeo juseyo.
Please wait just 9 minutes.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
구 더하기 구는 얼마예요?
gu deohagi guneun eolmayeyo?
What is 9 plus 9?
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"Nine" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Nine" in Korean
What does 구 mean?
Nine in Korean is 구 / 아홉 (gu / ahop). 구 is the Sino-Korean form for 9; use it for minutes, dates, prices, and calculation. 아홉 is the native Korean form; 아홉 is used before a general item counter.
When should I say 아홉 개?
구 is the Sino-Korean form for 9; use it for minutes, dates, prices, and calculation. 아홉 is the native Korean form; 아홉 is used before a general item counter.
How does 아홉 개 differ from the basic expression?
아홉 개 means “9 items”. 구 is the Sino-Korean form for 9; use it for minutes, dates, prices, and calculation. 아홉 is the native Korean form; 아홉 is used before a general item counter.
Can I use 구 in a full sentence?
구 분만 기다려 주세요. means “Please wait just 9 minutes.” 구 is the Sino-Korean form for 9; use it for minutes, dates, prices, and calculation. 아홉 is the native Korean form; 아홉 is used before a general item counter.
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