Korean Count Word
Like Chinese and Japanese, Korean uses special measure or counting words to count objects and events, in Korean: 수분류사 (數分類詞).
In English, one must say, "two sheets of paper" rather than "two papers". In Korean, the term jang (장) is used to count sheets, or paper-like material in general. So "ten bus tickets" would be beoseu pyo yeol jang (버스 표 열 장), literally, "bus ticket ten 'sheets'". In fact, the meanings of counter words are frequently extended in metaphorical or other image-based ways (Lakoff, 1987). For instance, in addition to counting simply sheets of paper, jang (장) in Korean can used to refer to any number of thin, paper-like objects. Leaves (namunnip 나뭇잎) are counted using this count word. In this way, the ways in which a particular count word can be used is generally very open-ended and up to the construal or creativity of the speaker.
There are two systems of numerals in Korean: native Korean and Sino-Korean. Native Korean numerals are used with most counter words. yeol gwa (열 과) would mean 'ten lessons' while sip gwa (십 과) would mean 'lesson ten.' Sino-Korean numerals are used with many time counters.
Read more about Korean Count Word: Examples
Famous quotes containing the words count and/or word:
“If only Centuries, delayed,
I’d count them on my Hand,”
—Emily Dickinson (1830–1886)
“Who rise from flesh to spirit know the fall:
The word outleaps the world, and light is all.”
—Theodore Roethke (1908–1963)