Korean Ordinal Numbers

Korean ordinal numbers are used to describe the position of something in a sequence.

Table of Contents

They answer the question:

“Which one?”

Examples include:

Ordinal numbers are commonly used when talking about:

Forming Ordinal Numbers in Korean

Most Korean ordinal numbers are formed by combining a number with:

번째 (beonjjae)

This expression means “number in order” or “nth position.”

Examples:

The first number 첫 번째 is slightly irregular and must be memorized.

Here are common Korean ordinal numbers.

Ordinal numbers are commonly used in everyday expressions.

Examples:

첫 번째 페이지

Romanization:

cheot beonjjae peiji

Meaning:

the first page

Another example:

두 번째 층

Romanization:

du beonjjae cheung

Meaning:

the second floor

Another example:

세 번째 장

Romanization:

se beonjjae jang

Meaning:

chapter three

In some formal situations, Korean may also use the Sino-Korean prefix:

제 (je)

Examples:

Examples:

제1장

Meaning:

Chapter 1

제2조

Meaning:

Article 2

This form is common in formal documents, laws, and book chapters.

You can practice Korean numbers using the tools below.

Example: 1234

Further reference: National Institute of Korean Language.