The Korean language uses special measure words or counting words for specific objects and events. These suffixes are called subullyusa (수분류사; 數分類詞) in Korean and classified as dependent nouns. They are similar to the ones employed in the Chinese and the Japanese languages.
In English it is "two sheets of paper", not "two papers". Analogously, in Korean jang (장; 張) is used to count sheets or anything that is a paper-like material, for example:
In fact, the meanings of counter words are frequently extended in metaphorical or other image-based ways. For instance, in addition to counting simply sheets of paper, jang in Korean can be used to refer to any number of thin, paper-like objects. Leaves (namunnip 나뭇잎) are counted using this count word. In this way, a particular count word may be used generally in a very open-ended manner 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, and usually count the number of an object, while Sino-Korean numerals are generally used for indicating a specific object in series, such as a specific lesson in a book, as well as monetary units and scientific measurements. Sometimes both types of numerals may be used, usually native Korean numerals indicating a quantity and Sino-Korean numerals indicating an ordinal. For example:
There are exceptions, such as native Korean numbers being used with 시, meaning "hour of the day". Additionally some counters (mostly those associated with traditional units) modify the pronunciation and spelling of the numerals that precede it, most notably 6월 is 유월 and 10월 is 시월.
List of count words
Some count words take native Korean numerals:
Some count words take Sino-Korean numerals:
Some nouns can also function as counter words. Nouns that were already listed are not included:
Some words are used for counting in multiples: