Korean · Time, Numbers & Colors
"Three" in Korean: 삼 / 셋
삼 / 셋sam / set
Three in Korean is 삼 / 셋 (sam / set). 삼 is the Sino-Korean form for 3; use it for minutes, dates, prices, and calculation. 셋 is the native Korean form; 세 is used before a general item counter.
Three: starting the exchange
삼 분만 기다려 주세요.sam bunman gidaryeo juseyo.
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How to pronounce 삼 / 셋
Say it
sam / set
/sam/
삼 / 셋 is read sam / set. In 세 개, read the full phrase as se gae.
"Three" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 삼 / 셋sam / set | Three The inventory form for three. | The inventory form for three. |
| 세 개se gae | 3 items 삼 is the Sino-Korean form for 3; use it for minutes, dates, prices, and calculation. 셋 is the native Korean form; 세 is used before a general item counter. | 삼 is the Sino-Korean form for 3; use it for minutes, dates, prices, and calculation. 셋 is the native Korean form; 세 is used before a general item counter. |
How to use 삼 / 셋 in real life
- 1Three: starting the exchange
삼 분만 기다려 주세요.
sam bunman gidaryeo juseyo.
Please wait just 3 minutes.
삼 is the Sino-Korean value used before the minute counter 분.
- 2Three: adding useful context
삼 더하기 삼은 얼마예요?
sam deohagi sameun eolmayeyo?
What is 3 plus 3?
This calculation uses the Sino-Korean numeral 삼.
- 3Three: a different conversation
세 개가 필요해요.
se gaega piryohaeyo.
I need 3 items.
세 is the counting form used before 개 in this item quantity.
Mistakes English speakers make with 삼 / 셋
Incorrect: 셋 개가 필요해요.
Correct: 세 개가 필요해요.
When practicing three, before the item counter 개, use the contracted numeral 세 instead of 셋.
Incorrect: 셋 분만 기다려 주세요.
Correct: 삼 분만 기다려 주세요.
When practicing three, minutes use Sino-Korean 삼, rather than the native number 셋 used with many item counters.
Good to know
삼 is the Sino-Korean form for 3; use it for minutes, dates, prices, and calculation. 셋 is the native Korean form; 세 is used before a general item counter.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led time numbers and colors study exercise: two sentences with 삼 / 셋
Partner
이 표현을 사용해서 한 문장 말해 볼까요?
i pyohyeoneul sayonghaeseo han munjang malhae bolkkayo?
Shall we say a sentence using this expression?
You
삼 분만 기다려 주세요.
sam bunman gidaryeo juseyo.
Please wait just 3 minutes.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
삼 더하기 삼은 얼마예요?
sam deohagi sameun eolmayeyo?
What is 3 plus 3?
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"Three" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Three" in Korean
What does 삼 mean?
Three in Korean is 삼 / 셋 (sam / set). 삼 is the Sino-Korean form for 3; use it for minutes, dates, prices, and calculation. 셋 is the native Korean form; 세 is used before a general item counter.
When should I say 세 개?
삼 is the Sino-Korean form for 3; use it for minutes, dates, prices, and calculation. 셋 is the native Korean form; 세 is used before a general item counter.
How does 세 개 differ from the basic expression?
세 개 means “3 items”. 삼 is the Sino-Korean form for 3; use it for minutes, dates, prices, and calculation. 셋 is the native Korean form; 세 is used before a general item counter.
Can I use 삼 in a full sentence?
삼 분만 기다려 주세요. means “Please wait just 3 minutes.” 삼 is the Sino-Korean form for 3; use it for minutes, dates, prices, and calculation. 셋 is the native Korean form; 세 is used before a general item counter.
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