Usage of '마리' as a Counting Unit
'마리' is a native Korean counter used exclusively for counting animals. It is one of the most common counters you will encounter when talking about pets, farm animals, or any living creatures except humans.
Common Collocations and Patterns
- '한 마리', '두 마리', '세 마리' etc.: Basic counting of animals from one to three.
- '[Number] 마리의 [animal]': A formal or written style to specify the number of animals.
- Often used with common animals like 강아지 (puppy), 고양이 (cat), 소 (cow), 닭 (chicken).
Register and Politeness
'마리' is neutral and can be used in both casual and formal contexts. It is not used for humans or objects.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse '마리' with other counters like '명' (for people) or '개' (for general objects). Remember, '마리' is only for animals.
Practical Tip
When you want to talk about how many animals you have or see, use '마리' after the number. For example, '고양이 두 마리' means 'two cats.' This is essential vocabulary for daily conversations involving animals.