Korean grammar - Counters - 개, 명, 마리 etc.

Counters - 개, 명, 마리 etc.

When specifying the number of objects in Korean a counter is required after the number.

This is like in English when we say 'six bunches of grapes' but in Korean it applies at even ungrouped objects.

The counter depends on the type of object.

Counters always use Pure/Native Korean numbers.

When in doubt use 개 - a general counter for objects.

The question when using counters is 몇? (how many?)

Examples:
	형제가 몇 명 있어요? How many brothers do (you) have? 명 is the counter for people 형제 means 'brothers' (plural) (both younger and older)
	저는 형제 두 명이 있어요. I have two brothers. 명 is the counter for people
	방에 두 명이 있어요. There are two people in the room. 명 is the counter for people
	동물원에 동물이 몇 마리 있어요? How many animals are there in the zoo? 마리 is the counter for the animal
	저는 고양이 두 마리를 키우고 있어요. I have (am raising) two cats. 마리 is the counter for the animal 키우다 means 'to raise' or 'to rear' or 'to cultivate'
	그분은 어제 생선 한 마리를 먹었어요. He ate one fish yesterday. 마리 is the counter for the animal
	농장에는 돼지 다섯 마리가 있어요. There are six pigs in the farm. 마리 is the counter for the animal
	냉장고 안에 우유 한 통이 있어요. There is one carton of milk in the fridge. 통 is a general counter for containers
	달걀 한 판을 샀어요. (I) bought a tray of eggs. 판 is the counter for a tray of eggs In Korea, there are 30 eggs in a tray
	저는 하루에 적어도 물 여덟 컵은 마시려고 노력해요. I try to drink at least eight glasses of water a day. 컵 is the counter for drinks, like water, juice, etc
	차 한 상자를 외할아버지께 보내드려도 돼요. (You) can send one box of tea to {maternal} Grandpa. 상자 is the counter for boxes
	저는 제 여자 친구에게 꽃 한 다발을 보낼 거예요. I'm going to send one bouquet of flowers to my girlfriend. 다발 is the counter for a bundle of the flower
	저는 검은색 바지 세 벌을 사고 싶어요. I want to buy three pairs of black trousers. 벌 is the counter for clothes
	치마 몇 벌을 가지고 있니? How many skirts do (you) have? 벌 is the counter for clothes
	하이힐이 다섯 켤레 있어. (I) have five pairs of high heels. 켤레 is the counter for shoes or socks
	광주 가는 기차표 한 장을 사고 싶어요. (I) want to buy one train ticket to Gwangju. 장 is the counter for sheets of paper
	저번 주에 책 세 권을 읽었어요. (I) read three books last week. 권 is the counter for books
	우산을 몇 개 가지고 계세요? How many umbrellas do (you) have? 개 is the general counter 가지다 means 'to have' or 'to possess' Recall that 계시다 is the honorific form of 있다 (to exist etc.)
	그분은 차가 두 대 있어요. He has two cars. 대 is the counter for cars
	제가 사는 동네에는 은행이 여러 군데 있어요. There are several banks in neighbourhood (where) I live. 군데 is the counter for places or establishments 여러 means 'several'
	밥 한 공기 주세요. Please give (me) one bowl of rice. 공기 is the counter for a bowl of rice
	스파게티 한 접시 주세요. Please give me one plate of spaghetti. 접시 is the counter for a plates of food
	그는 이 시골에 집 세 채를 소유하고 있어요. He owns three houses in this countryside. 채 is the counter for building 시골 means 'countryside' 소유하다 means 'to own' or 'to possess'
	프린터에 종이가 세 장만 남아 있어요. There are only three sheets of paper left in the printer. 장 is the counter for sheets of paper
	꽃병에는 꽃이 사 송이 만 있네요. There are only four flowers in the vase. 송이 is the counter for flower