Grammar6 min read567 views
Korean Counters: 개, 명, 마리, 잔... How to Count Things
In Korean, you don't say "3 apples" but "apple 3 counter." Here are the most common counters.
Published on January 9, 2026
What Is a Counter?
In Korean, when counting things, you must add a special word (counter) depending on what you're counting.
Structure: Noun + Number + Counter
The 15 Most Used Counters
| Counter | For counting | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 개 | Objects (general) | 사과 두 개 (2 apples) |
| 명 | People | 학생 세 명 (3 students) |
| 마리 | Animals | 고양이 한 마리 (1 cat) |
| 잔 | Cups/glasses | 커피 한 잔 (1 coffee) |
| 병 | Bottles | 소주 두 병 (2 soju bottles) |
| 권 | Books | 책 세 권 (3 books) |
| 번 | Times | 세 번 (3 times) |
| 살 | Years of age | 스무 살 (20 years old) |
💡 The most useful counter: 개 (gae). If you don't know the specific counter, use 개.
Ready to learn Korean?
Join thousands of learners on Seonsaengnim — structured courses, flashcards and a teacher available 24/7.
Start for free
