my-korean1-2nd-ed

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Counting Nouns
UNIT 8 비빔밥 하나 주세요
Korean commonly uses counting nouns for counting objects with numbers.
An example of a counting noun, ‘시 (o’clock)’, was introduced in unit 6. An
example of an English counting noun is the word ‘cup’ when we say ‘I’ll have
two cups of coffee’ rather than ‘I’ll have two coffees’.
In English, however, these are mainly used with ‘uncountable’ or ‘mass
nouns’, for example, ‘two loaves of bread’ instead of ‘two breads’ or ‘three
pieces of furniture’ instead of ‘three furnitures’. (Note that in Korean all
nouns must be used in their singular form when a number is specified.)
(1) 커피 두 잔 주세요. I’ll have 2 cups of coffee.
(2) 사과 한 개 주세요. Give me 1 apple.
The use of counting nouns in English is very limited. However, Korean has a
wide range of different counting nouns. 개 can be used with most objects,
though it must not be used for people.
For people, use 사람, 명 or 분. 사람 and 명 are interchangeable and are both
neutral terms for counting people. 분 is an honorific form and should be used
for elders, customers, seniors, etc. For example, when customers arrive at a
restaurant:
(3) 종업원: 몇 분이세요? How many of you are there?
손님: 세 명이에요. There are three of us.