분

bun

Used for

minutes

Minutes take Sino-Korean numbers. The same syllable 분 is also the honorific counter for people — the number system tells you which.

Number system

Sino-Korean numbers — 일, 이, 삼 →

Examples

• 십 분만 기다려 주세요.sip bunman gidaryeo juseyo.Please wait just ten minutes.
• 삼십 분 걸려요.samsip bun geollyeoyo.It takes thirty minutes.
• 손님 세 분 오셨어요.sonnim se bun osyeosseoyo.Three guests have arrived. (people, native number)

Common mistake

Saying 서른 분 for thirty minutes. With native numbers, 분 means honored people — “thirty guests.”