Learn Korean for Free | Beginner Korean Grammar #21
Twice a week, 10,000 won per person, three tablets a day—Korean uses N에 to connect an amount or frequency to its unit.
What Does N에 (단위/당) Mean?
In this lesson, 에 means “per,” “for each,” or “within one unit.” It appears after a time unit, item, or person used as the basis for counting.
The Rule
Put 에 after the unit: 하루에 두 번 (twice a day), 일주일에 세 번 (three times a week), 한 개에 천 원 (1,000 won each). The number or price that follows tells you how much applies to that unit.
Useful Korean Words
| Korean | English |
|---|---|
| 하루 | one day |
| 일주일 | one week |
| 한 달 | one month |
| 한 사람 | one person |
| 한 개 | one item |
| 번 | time/occurrence |
| 천 원 | 1,000 won |
| 두 번 | twice |
Korean Grammar Examples
하루에 물을 여덟 잔 마셔요.
I drink eight glasses of water a day.
일주일에 한국어 수업이 두 번 있어요.
Korean class is held twice a week.
한 달에 책을 세 권 읽어요.
I read three books a month.
사과는 한 개에 천 원이에요.
The apples are 1,000 won each.
입장료는 한 사람에 만 원이에요.
Admission is 10,000 won per person.
A Short Dialogue
A: 일주일에 몇 번 운동해요? — How many times a week do you exercise?
B: 일주일에 세 번 운동해요. — I exercise three times a week.
A: 수영장은 한 번에 얼마예요? — How much is the swimming pool per visit?
B: 한 번에 오천 원이에요. — It is 5,000 won per visit.
A Common Mistake to Avoid
Lesson 19 used 에 to mark a time point: 월요일에 만나요 (We meet on Monday). Here, the noun is a counting unit: 일주일에 세 번 (three times per week). Look at the quantity that follows to identify the rate meaning. Do not confuse 하루에 with 오늘; 오늘 usually has no 에.
Quick Quiz 🎯
Complete with a natural rate: ① I study Korean twice a week. ② One coffee is 4,000 won. ③ I call my family once a day. ④ Admission is 8,000 won per person.
Answers and Explanation
① 일주일에 두 번 한국어를 공부해요. ② 커피는 한 잔에 사천 원이에요. ③ 하루에 한 번 가족에게 전화해요. ④ 입장료는 한 사람에 팔천 원이에요.
Try It in Your Own Life
Write two original sentences with N에 (단위/당) about your real schedule, plans, travel, food, or Korean study. Read them aloud, then change one word or time expression and say them again. This turns the pattern into language you can use instead of a sentence you only recognize.
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