Grammar7 min read894 views
How to Tell Time in Korean — The Guide That Simplifies Everything
Mixing native and Sino-Korean numbers for time confuses everyone. Here's the simple method I've used for 12 years in Seoul.
Published on January 8, 2026
Why Korean Time Is Weird
Telling time in Korean mixes both number systems:
- Hours → Native Korean numbers
- Minutes → Sino-Korean numbers
Hours (Native Numbers)
| Hour | Korean | Romanization |
|---|---|---|
| 1:00 | 한 시 | han si |
| 2:00 | 두 시 | du si |
| 3:00 | 세 시 | se si |
| 12:00 | 열두 시 | yeoldu si |
Minutes (Sino-Korean)
- 30분 = 삼십 분 (samsip bun) or 반 (ban = "half")
Putting It Together
[Native hour] 시 [Sino minute] 분
- 3:30 → 세 시 반 (se si ban)
- 7:15 → 일곱 시 십오 분
AM/PM
- 오전 (ojeon) = AM
- 오후 (ohu) = PM Placed BEFORE the hour: 오후 세 시 = 3 PM
Useful Phrases
- 지금 몇 시예요? — What time is it?
- 몇 시에 만날까요? — What time shall we meet?
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