500 in Korean
500 in Other Languages
About 500 in Korean
500 translates to 오백 (obaek). The ordinal form — used for rankings, dates, and sequences — is 오백째 (obaekjae).
In mathematics, 500 is even. 500 comes up regularly in Korean conversations — in stores, when giving your phone number, reading addresses, or discussing dates and ages.
Mastering numbers like 500 is one of the most practical skills when learning Korean. Unlike vocabulary that only applies in specific contexts, numbers come up constantly — in shops, on public transport, in conversations about time and money, and when meeting new people.
Learning Numbers in Korean
What makes Korean numbers challenging
Two complete number systems (Sino-Korean and native Korean) must be used in the right contexts — using the wrong one sounds unnatural. Native Korean numbers change form when combined with counters (hana becomes han, dul becomes du, set becomes se). Like Japanese, Korean groups large numbers by 10,000 (만/man), requiring English speakers to mentally regroup. Sino-Korean numbers are short monosyllables (il, i, sam) that can blur together at speed. Knowing which system to use (Sino for dates/money/phone, native for counting/age) is essential.
Tips for learning Korean numbers
Learn Sino-Korean numbers first — they are simpler, shorter, and cover phone numbers, dates, prices, and addresses. Then learn native Korean 1-99 for counting objects and telling age. Practice the man (10,000) grouping system with Korean won amounts (prices are usually in thousands or ten-thousands). For phone numbers, Sino-Korean is always used. KakaoTalk conversations often include numbers, making them good practice material.