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  Mastering Korean Numbers: 'Hana, Dul' vs. 'Il, I' – When to Use Which? Imagine you are at a bustling market in Seoul , or perhaps a cafe here in Suwon . You want to order two coffees. Do you say "Il" coffee? Or "Dul" coffee? Or maybe "I" coffee? For English speakers, numbers are simple: one, two, three. But in Korean, you have to memorize two entirely separate sets of numbers: the Native Korean system (Hana, Dul, Set...) and the Sino-Korean system (Il, I, Sam...). Mixing them up is the most common mistake foreigners make. As of November 2025, getting this right is the fastest way to level up your Korean from "tourist" to "speaker." Why are there two systems, and more importantly, when do you use which? Let's break it down. 1. The Native Korean System: Counting Physical Objects The Native Korean system is the language of everyday life. It is used primarily for counting tangible things—items, people, animals, an...

Lost in Translation: Tips for Naturally Translating the English Passive Voice into Korean One of the biggest hurdles for English speakers learning Korean —and for translators—is the passive voice . English uses it constantly, especially in formal and written contexts ("The report was submitted," "Mistakes were made"). However, a direct, word-for-word translation of the passive voice into Korean often results in clunky, unnatural sentences that scream " translation-ese " ( beon-yeok-tu , 번역투). The core reason is simple: English often focuses on the recipient of an action, while Korean prefers to highlight the person or thing doing the action . To make your Korean sound natural, you need to break the passive habit. Here are four essential tips. 1. The Golden Rule: Switch to the Active Voice This is the most important tip. Whenever possible, find the actor (the " agent ") and make them the subject of the sentence. Passive English: "This book ...