How to Tell Time in Korean Language: The Quick Guide That Will Save You Hours

Understanding how to tell time is crucial for effective communication in any language, and Korean is no exception. Whether you’re planning a meeting, catching a train, or simply discussing daily schedules, knowing how to express time accurately is essential. In this article, we present a quick guide that will save you hours when it comes to telling time in Korean language. By mastering the fundamentals, you’ll confidently navigate time-related conversations and stay punctual in Korean-speaking environments.

1. The Basic Units:

In Korean, the basic units for telling time are 시 (shi) for “hour” and 분 (bun) for “minute.”

2. The Hours:

To express the hours in Korean, follow these simple guidelines:

For hours from 1 to 12, use the native Korean numbering system:

• 한 시 (han shi) – 1 o’clock
• 두 시 (du shi) – 2 o’clock
• 세 시 (se shi) – 3 o’clock
• …
• 열두 시 (yeol du shi) – 12 o’clock

For hours from 13 to 23, use the Sino-Korean numbering system by adding 시 (shi) after the number:

• 열세 시 (yeol se shi) – 13 o’clock
• 열네 시 (yeol ne shi) – 14 o’clock
• …
• 스물세 시 (seumul se shi) – 23 o’clock

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3. Minutes:

To express minutes, use the native Korean numbering system. Here are some examples:

For minutes from 1 to 9, add 분 (bun) after the number:

• 열한 시 십오 분 (yeol han shi ship o bun) – 11:15

For minutes from 10 to 59, use the Sino-Korean numbering system by combining the tens and units places:

• 열시 십분 (yeol shi sip bun) – 10:20
• 오십팔 분 (o ship pal bun) – 58 minutes

4. Indicating “AM” and “PM”:

In Korean, you can use 오전 (ojeon) for “AM” and 오후 (ohu) for “PM” to clarify the time of day. Here’s an example:

• 오전 열 시 (ojeon yeol shi) – 10 AM
• 오후 세 시 삼십 분 (ohu se shi sam sip bun) – 3:30 PM

5. Time Expressions:

To provide additional context, you can use the following time-related expressions:

• 오늘 (oneul) – today
• 내일 (naeil) – tomorrow
• 어제 (eoje) – yesterday
• 아침 (achim) – morning
• 점심 (jumsim) – noon
• 밤 (bam) – evening/night

Example: 내일 아침 여섯 시 (naeil achim yeoseot shi) – Tomorrow morning at 6 o’clock

Conclusion:

Mastering the art of telling time in Korean is essential for effective communication and punctuality. By familiarizing yourself with the basic units, hours, minutes, and time expressions, you can confidently express time-related information in Korean. Practice using these phrases in daily conversations and pay attention to the specific contexts in which they are used. With time and consistent practice, telling time in Korean Language will become second nature, saving you hours and ensuring smooth interactions in Korean-speaking environments.