Korean · Time, Numbers & Colors
"Twelve" in Korean: 십이 / 열둘
십이 / 열둘sibi / yeoldul
Twelve in Korean is 십이 / 열둘 (sibi / yeoldul). 십이 is the Sino-Korean form for 12; use it for minutes, dates, prices, and calculation. 열둘 is the native Korean form; 열두 is used before a general item counter.
Twelve: starting the exchange
십이 분만 기다려 주세요.sibi bunman gidaryeo juseyo.
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How to pronounce 십이 / 열둘
Say it
sibi / yeoldul
/sipi/
십이 / 열둘 is read sibi / yeoldul. In 열두 개, read the full phrase as yeoldu gae.
"Twelve" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 십이 / 열둘sibi / yeoldul | Twelve The inventory form for twelve. | The inventory form for twelve. |
| 열두 개yeoldu gae | 12 items 십이 is the Sino-Korean form for 12; use it for minutes, dates, prices, and calculation. 열둘 is the native Korean form; 열두 is used before a general item counter. | 십이 is the Sino-Korean form for 12; use it for minutes, dates, prices, and calculation. 열둘 is the native Korean form; 열두 is used before a general item counter. |
How to use 십이 / 열둘 in real life
- 1Twelve: starting the exchange
십이 분만 기다려 주세요.
sibi bunman gidaryeo juseyo.
Please wait just 12 minutes.
십이 is the Sino-Korean value used before the minute counter 분.
- 2Twelve: adding useful context
십이 더하기 십이는 얼마예요?
sibi deohagi sibineun eolmayeyo?
What is 12 plus 12?
This calculation uses the Sino-Korean numeral 십이.
- 3Twelve: a different conversation
열두 개가 필요해요.
yeoldu gaega piryohaeyo.
I need 12 items.
열두 is the counting form used before 개 in this item quantity.
Mistakes English speakers make with 십이 / 열둘
Incorrect: 열둘 개가 필요해요.
Correct: 열두 개가 필요해요.
When practicing twelve, before the item counter 개, use the contracted numeral 열두 instead of 열둘.
Incorrect: 열둘 분만 기다려 주세요.
Correct: 십이 분만 기다려 주세요.
When practicing twelve, minutes use Sino-Korean 십이, rather than the native number 열둘 used with many item counters.
Good to know
십이 is the Sino-Korean form for 12; use it for minutes, dates, prices, and calculation. 열둘 is the native Korean form; 열두 is used before a general item counter.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led time numbers and colors study exercise: two sentences with 십이 / 열둘
Partner
이 표현을 사용해서 한 문장 말해 볼까요?
i pyohyeoneul sayonghaeseo han munjang malhae bolkkayo?
Shall we say a sentence using this expression?
You
십이 분만 기다려 주세요.
sibi bunman gidaryeo juseyo.
Please wait just 12 minutes.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
십이 더하기 십이는 얼마예요?
sibi deohagi sibineun eolmayeyo?
What is 12 plus 12?
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"Twelve" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Twelve" in Korean
What does 십이 mean?
Twelve in Korean is 십이 / 열둘 (sibi / yeoldul). 십이 is the Sino-Korean form for 12; use it for minutes, dates, prices, and calculation. 열둘 is the native Korean form; 열두 is used before a general item counter.
When should I say 열두 개?
십이 is the Sino-Korean form for 12; use it for minutes, dates, prices, and calculation. 열둘 is the native Korean form; 열두 is used before a general item counter.
How does 열두 개 differ from the basic expression?
열두 개 means “12 items”. 십이 is the Sino-Korean form for 12; use it for minutes, dates, prices, and calculation. 열둘 is the native Korean form; 열두 is used before a general item counter.
Can I use 십이 in a full sentence?
십이 분만 기다려 주세요. means “Please wait just 12 minutes.” 십이 is the Sino-Korean form for 12; use it for minutes, dates, prices, and calculation. 열둘 is the native Korean form; 열두 is used before a general item counter.
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