Learn how to use the counters 명 (myeong) and 분 (bun) correctly in Korean
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| Hi everybody! Jae here. Welcome to Ask a Teacher, where I’ll answer some of your most common Korean questions. |
| The question for this lesson is… |
| How do I use 명 [myeong] and 분 [bun] correctly when counting in Korean? |
| In Korea, formality is really important. Therefore, even words for counting, or counters, can serve as honorifics in Korean. For example, 명 [myeong] is a counter used to refer to people. However, when you’re talking about people who are older or of a high status, you should use 분 [bun]. It’s an honorific counter used to refer to people. |
| Let’s do some examples so you can learn how to use 명 [myeong] and 분 [bun] correctly. |
| When you go into a restaurant, a staff member will probably ask you "How many?" to check how many people you’ll be dining with. In Korean, you’ll be asked either 몇 명이세요? [Myeot myeongiseyo?] or 몇 분이세요? [Myeot buniseyo?]. Of course, the latter is more formal and polite. |
| Then, how should you respond? Can you also use either 명 [myeong] or 분 [bun]? The answer no. You can only use 명 [myeong]. This is because you are referring to yourself and the group that you are a part of. You should only use honorifics to show respect to others. |
| Let’s do one more example. Which counter should you use to say "There are 40 people in my company?" Since you are referring to yourself and your workplace, you need to use 명 [myeong]. Therefore, you would say 우리 회사에는 40 명이 있습니다. [Uri hoesaeneun sasip myeongi itsseumnida.] |
| How was this lesson? I hope that clears things up! |
| Please leave any more questions in the comments below and I’ll try to answer them! |
| See you next time. 다음 시간에 만나요. (Daeum-sigane mannayo.) |
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