Unlock Your K-Drama Address: Master Korean Numbers 1-10!

Hello! It’s your favorite Korean guide, Daily Korean, here to upgrade your skills!

Have you ever watched a K-drama and heard the main character quickly tell a delivery driver their address? It sounds so cool and fluent, right? Today, we’re going to learn a super practical skill that will make you sound just like them: how to say apartment numbers in Korean!

Lately in Korea, with so many people ordering food and packages online, being able to clearly say your address is more important than ever. We’ll start with the basics, numbers 1 through 10, and learn how to talk about apartment buildings and units. Let’s get started!

Core Expressions You Need to Know

Here are the essential building blocks for talking about addresses in Korean.

1. Sino-Korean Numbers (1-10)

These are the numbers used for addresses, phone numbers, and money. They originally came from Chinese characters.

• Korean Expressions:
  • 1: 일 (il)
  • 2: 이 (i)
  • 3: 삼 (sam)
  • 4: 사 (sa)
  • 5: 오 (o)
  • 6: 육 (yuk)
  • 7: 칠 (chil)
  • 8: 팔 (pal)
  • 9: 구 (gu)
  • 10: 십 (sip)
• English Meaning: One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten
• Detailed Explanation: Korea has two number systems, but for addresses, you will always use these Sino-Korean numbers. Memorize them, and you’ve unlocked a huge part of daily Korean life!

2. The Word for “Building”

• Korean Expression: 동
• Pronunciation [Romanization]: dong
• English Meaning: Building (number)
• Detailed Explanation: In Korea, large apartment complexes are organized by building numbers. You simply place this word after the number. For example, “Building 1” becomes 일 동 (il dong).

3. The Word for “Unit”

• Korean Expression: 호
• Pronunciation [Romanization]: ho
• English Meaning: Unit / Room (number)
• Detailed Explanation: This word marks the specific apartment unit or room number. It also comes after the number. So, “Unit 2” is 이 호 (i ho).

Example Dialogue

Let’s see how these words are used in a real conversation! Imagine two friends, A and B, are ordering chicken to B’s new apartment.

A: 와, 집 좋다! 치킨 시킬 건데, 주소가 어떻게 돼?
(Wa, jip jota! Chikin sikil geonde, jusoga eotteoke dwae?)
(Wow, your place is nice! I’m ordering chicken, what’s the address?)

B: 우리 집은 일 동 이 호야.
(Uri jibeun il dong i ho-ya.)
(My place is Building 1, Unit 2.)

A: 알겠어! 일 동 이 호. 곧 올 거야!
(Argesseo! Il dong i ho. Got ol geoya!)
(Got it! Building 1, Unit 2. It will be here soon!)

B: 좋아! 너 진짜 한국 사람 같아!
(Joa! Neo jinjja hanguk saram gata!)
(Great! You sound like a real Korean!)

Cultural Tip & Trend Deep Dive

In the latest hit K-drama, “Seoul Apartment Love,” you probably saw the main character order coffee to his ultra-modern apartment. He tells the barista on the phone, “네, 103동 801호입니다” (Ne, baek-sam-dong pal-baek-il-ho-imnida), which means “Yes, it’s Building 103, Unit 801.”

While the numbers are bigger, the structure is exactly what you just learned: (Number)동 (Number)호.

Living in numbered apartment buildings is extremely common in Korean cities. These apartment complexes are often like their own small towns, with playgrounds, gyms, and convenience stores all inside! So, when you meet a new friend in Korea, asking “몇 동 몇 호에 살아요?” (Myeot dong myeot ho-e sarayo? – Which building and unit do you live in?) is a very natural and common question. Knowing this little piece of culture will make you feel right at home!

Wrap-up & Practice Time!

Amazing work today! You learned the Sino-Korean numbers 1-10 and the essential words 동 (dong) and 호 (ho) to talk about addresses like a pro.

Now it’s your turn to practice!

1. Fill in the blank:
Your friend lives in Building 4, Unit 5. How would you say this in Korean?
____ 동 ____ 호

(Answer: 사 동 오 호 – sa dong o ho)

2. Make a sentence:
You live in Building 10, Unit 7. How do you write this in Korean?

(Answer: 십 동 칠 호 – sip dong chil ho)

You’re doing great! Try creating a fictional Korean address for yourself using the numbers you learned.

Leave your practice sentence in the comments below! We’d love to see what you come up with. Keep studying, and see you next time at Daily Korean