Order & sequence — 첫째, 번째, 반, 마지막, 다음

These words show the order of things. You often see them in directions and in numbered lists.

01첫째cheotjjae🔊 [첟째]

first · first in order, or the oldest child.

Note Both meanings are common. 첫째 이유 means the first reason. 우리 집 첫째 means the oldest child in the family.

The series 첫째 · 둘째 · 셋째 · 넷째

Examples 첫째로 (firstly) · 첫째 이유 (the first reason)

첫째는 건강이 가장 중요해요. First, health is the most important thing. | 가장 = most | Use this when you list points in order

02번째beonjjae

-th · a counter (a word used with numbers). It goes after a number and shows order.

Note Use 첫·두·세·네 번째 for one to four. From five up, use the normal native Korean numbers. For first, say 첫 번째, not 한 번째.

Note 첫째 works alone, but 번째 always needs a number before it.

Examples 두 번째 (second) · 세 번째 골목 (the third alley) · 몇 번째 (which one in order)

두 번째 골목에서 오른쪽으로 가세요. Turn right at the second alley. | 골목 = alley, side street

03반ban

half · one of two equal parts.

Note With clock times it means half past. 세 시 반 is 3:30. This is the same idea as English half past three.

Note Another 반 means a school class. It sounds the same, so check the context.

Examples 반으로 나누다 (to split in half) · 한 시간 반 (an hour and a half)

세 시 반에 만날까요? Shall we meet at half past three? | You can also say 삼십 분

04마지막majimak

last · the one that comes at the end. The opposite is 처음.

Examples 마지막으로 (lastly) · 마지막 날 (the final day) · 마지막 버스 (the last bus)

마지막 지하철이 몇 시예요? What time is the last train? | The last bus or train is also called 막차

05다음daeum

next · the turn or time that comes right after.

Related 다음 주 (next week) · 다음 달 (next month) · 다음 역 (the next stop) · 다음에 (next time)

Examples 다음에 만나다 (to meet next time) · 다음 역에서 내리다 (to get off at the next stop)

다음에 또 만나요. See you next time. | 또 = again | People often say this when they say goodbye

Quick check3 questions

Fill in each blank in Korean. Every answer appears above.

Show answers

1. 번째 2. 반 3. 마지막

Study tip 반 means thirty minutes past the hour. 세 시 반 and 세 시 삼십 분 mean the same thing. But 반 is much more common in speech.

TOPIK I Core Vocabulary · Numbers & Order ②