Korean Counters
시간
sigan
Used for
hours (duration)
For how long something takes, native numbers: 두 시간 (two hours). Not to be confused with 시 (o'clock).
Number system
Native Korean numbers — 하나, 둘, 셋 (한, 두, 세 before a counter) →
Examples
- 두 시간 걸려요.du sigan geollyeoyo.It takes two hours.
- 하루에 여덟 시간 자요.harue yeodeol sigan jayo.I sleep eight hours a day.
- 몇 시간 동안 기다렸어?myeot sigan dongan gidaryeosseo?How many hours did you wait?
Common mistake
Saying 이 시간 for “two hours.” 이 시간 means “this time (of day).”
Frequently asked questions
What is the Korean counter 시간 (sigan) used for?
시간 (sigan) is the Korean counter for hours (duration). For how long something takes, native numbers: 두 시간 (two hours). Not to be confused with 시 (o'clock).
Do you use native or Sino-Korean numbers with 시간?
시간 goes with native Korean numbers (하나, 둘, 셋 — shortened to 한, 두, 세 before a counter). Example: 두 시간 걸려요. (du sigan geollyeoyo.) — “It takes two hours.”
How do you use 시간 in a sentence?
Examples with 시간: 하루에 여덟 시간 자요. (harue yeodeol sigan jayo.) — I sleep eight hours a day. / 몇 시간 동안 기다렸어? (myeot sigan dongan gidaryeosseo?) — How many hours did you wait?
What is a common mistake with 시간?
A common learner mistake is saying 이 시간 for “two hours.” 이 시간 means “this time (of day).”