Korean for English speakers Cafe · Lesson 4

What time is it now ?

Tell time in Korean — 지금 몇 시예요? (What time is it now?) — using native Korean numbers + 시.

Conversation

  1. Kyle Kyle

    지금 몇 시예요?

    Jigeum myeot siyeyo?

    What time is it?

    Tip: <지금> = now <몇 시> = what time

  2. Bob Bob

    음... 잠시만요. 오후 한 시예요.

    Eum... jamsimanyo. Ohu han siyeyo.

    Um... wait a moment. It's 1 p.m.

    Tip: <잠시만요> = formal way to say "Wait a moment/minute" <오후> = afternoon, p.m. <한> = "one" in adjective form (native korean number counting) <시> = o' clock

  3. Kyle Kyle

    벌써요? 두 시에 약속이 있어요.

    Beolsseoyo? Du sie yaksogi isseoyo.

    Already? I have an appointment at 2 o'clock.

    Tip: <벌써> = already <두> = "two" in adjective form (native korean number counting) <약속> = appointment <N이/가 있어요> = verb "to have" (in present tense)

  4. Bob Bob

    한 시간 남았어요.

    Han sigan namasseoyo.

    You have still 1 hour.

    Tip: <시간> = hour <남았어요> = to have still

Common questions

Quick answers about this lesson's grammar and vocabulary.

How do you tell time in Korean?

Native Korean numbers + 시 (o'clock): 한 시 (1 o'clock), 두 시 (2), 세 시 (3)... With minutes: Sino-Korean + 분.

Native vs Sino-Korean numbers?

Native (하나, 둘, 셋) for hours, ages, counting items. Sino-Korean (일, 이, 삼) for minutes, money, dates. Bilingual numbers!

What is 오후?

'Afternoon / P.M.'. 오전 = morning / A.M. Use before time: 오후 1시 = 1 P.M.

Test yourself

Pick the English translation for each line from this lesson. Wrong answers are pulled from other Korean lessons.

4 quick questions on what you just heard.

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