Korean · Time, Numbers & Colors
"Ten" in Korean: 십 / 열
십 / 열sip / yeol
Ten in Korean is 십 / 열 (sip / yeol). 십 is the Sino-Korean form for 10; use it for minutes, dates, prices, and calculation. 열 is the native Korean form; 열 is used before a general item counter.
Ten: starting the exchange
십 분만 기다려 주세요.sip bunman gidaryeo juseyo.
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How to pronounce 십 / 열
Say it
sip / yeol
/sip̚/
십 / 열 is read sip / yeol. In 열 개, read the full phrase as yeol gae.
"Ten" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 십 / 열sip / yeol | Ten The inventory form for ten. | The inventory form for ten. |
| 열 개yeol gae | 10 items 십 is the Sino-Korean form for 10; use it for minutes, dates, prices, and calculation. 열 is the native Korean form; 열 is used before a general item counter. | 십 is the Sino-Korean form for 10; use it for minutes, dates, prices, and calculation. 열 is the native Korean form; 열 is used before a general item counter. |
How to use 십 / 열 in real life
- 1Ten: starting the exchange
십 분만 기다려 주세요.
sip bunman gidaryeo juseyo.
Please wait just 10 minutes.
십 is the Sino-Korean value used before the minute counter 분.
- 2Ten: adding useful context
십 더하기 십은 얼마예요?
sip deohagi sibeun eolmayeyo?
What is 10 plus 10?
This calculation uses the Sino-Korean numeral 십.
- 3Ten: a different conversation
열 개가 필요해요.
yeol gaega piryohaeyo.
I need 10 items.
열 is the counting form used before 개 in this item quantity.
Mistakes English speakers make with 십 / 열
Incorrect: 십 분만 기다려 주으세요.
Correct: 십 분만 기다려 주세요.
When practicing ten, the vowel-final stem 주 takes 세요 directly; do not add 으. The complete correction is 십 분만 기다려 주세요.
Incorrect: 열 분만 기다려 주세요.
Correct: 십 분만 기다려 주세요.
When practicing ten, minutes use Sino-Korean 십, rather than the native number 열 used with many item counters.
Good to know
십 is the Sino-Korean form for 10; use it for minutes, dates, prices, and calculation. 열 is the native Korean form; 열 is used before a general item counter.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led time numbers and colors study exercise: two sentences with 십 / 열
Partner
이 표현을 사용해서 한 문장 말해 볼까요?
i pyohyeoneul sayonghaeseo han munjang malhae bolkkayo?
Shall we say a sentence using this expression?
You
십 분만 기다려 주세요.
sip bunman gidaryeo juseyo.
Please wait just 10 minutes.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
십 더하기 십은 얼마예요?
sip deohagi sibeun eolmayeyo?
What is 10 plus 10?
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"Ten" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Ten" in Korean
What does 십 mean?
Ten in Korean is 십 / 열 (sip / yeol). 십 is the Sino-Korean form for 10; use it for minutes, dates, prices, and calculation. 열 is the native Korean form; 열 is used before a general item counter.
When should I say 열 개?
십 is the Sino-Korean form for 10; use it for minutes, dates, prices, and calculation. 열 is the native Korean form; 열 is used before a general item counter.
How does 열 개 differ from the basic expression?
열 개 means “10 items”. 십 is the Sino-Korean form for 10; use it for minutes, dates, prices, and calculation. 열 is the native Korean form; 열 is used before a general item counter.
Can I use 십 in a full sentence?
십 분만 기다려 주세요. means “Please wait just 10 minutes.” 십 is the Sino-Korean form for 10; use it for minutes, dates, prices, and calculation. 열 is the native Korean form; 열 is used before a general item counter.
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