Classifiers and measure words
Do we need another word to say what unit we are counting?
의미
An extra word beside a number or amount can show what kind of item or unit is being counted. These words let us count portions or group things by features such as shape. Some languages require a counting word with ordinary nouns, while others use such words mainly for units like cups or kilos. Quantity tells us how much there is; Classifiers and measure words covers the words used to count or measure it.
알아보는 방법
Look between a number or amount and the thing being counted for a word that names a unit or kind of item, and check when that word is required.
모국어에서는
Korean usually puts a counting word after a number: 개 for many objects, 명 for people, and 마리 for animals. Everyday counting words generally take native Korean numbers, with shortened forms 한, 두, 세, and 네 before the counting word. Measurement units such as 킬로 usually take Sino-Korean numbers, the number set also used for dates and money.
고양이 두 마리가 마당에 있어요. (Goyangi du mariga madange isseoyo.)
마리 counts animals, and 둘 becomes 두 before it.
귤 세 개 주세요. (Gyul se gae juseyo.)
개 counts the individual fruits, and 셋 becomes 세 before it.
쌀을 오 킬로 샀어요. (Ssareul o killo sasseoyo.)
The measurement unit 킬로 takes the Sino-Korean number 오.