Greetings! If you’ve ever been curious about how to express age in Korean, you’ve come to the right place. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover both formal and informal ways of stating age, and provide useful tips along with numerous examples to solidify your understanding. Whether you’re planning a trip to Korea, have Korean friends, or simply love learning about different languages and cultures, let’s explore the various ways of expressing age in Korean together!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to State Age:
In formal settings, such as speaking to someone older or unfamiliar, it’s important to use polite language. Here are a few phrases you can rely on:
1. 세 (se)
The most straightforward way to say your age is by stating the number followed by the word “세” (se), which means “years old.” For example:
저는 스무 세입니다. (Jeoneun seumu-se-imnida.)
I am twenty years old.
2. 만 (man)
Another formal way to express age is by using the word “만” (man) after the number. This term is generally used by adults when indicating their age. Take a look:
저는 삼십 살 만입니다. (Jeoneun samsip sal man-imnida.)
I am thirty years old.
3. 년 (nyeon)
To express age in a more formal manner, instead of combining the number with “세” (se) or “만” (man), you can use the word “년” (nyeon), which means “year.” Here’s an example:
제 나이는 오십 년입니다. (Je nain-eun osip nyeon-imnida.)
My age is fifty years.
Informal Ways to State Age:
When speaking to friends or people younger than you, you can use informal language to express your age. Koreans often rely on the following expressions:
1. (이)에요 ((i)eoyo)
Using “(이)에요” ((i)eoyo) is a common informal way to indicate your age. Simply attach it after the number. Check out this example:
저는 스무 살이에요. (Jeoneun seumu sal(i)eoyo.)
I am twenty years old.
2. 살 (sal)
Another simple and informal way of stating your age is by using the word “살” (sal) alone, without any additional words. Let’s see how it works:
저는 서른 다섯 살이야. (Jeoneun seoreun daseot sal-iya.)
I am thirty-five years old.
Additional Tips:
1. Counting Units:
When mentioning age, Koreans follow a counting unit system similar to English. For instance, if you’re talking about two people who are ten years old, you would say “둘” (dul) instead of “두” (du). Pay attention to counting units to express age accurately.
2. Age Calculations:
Remember that Korea has a different age reckoning system. Korean age is typically reckoned by adding one year at each New Year rather than on an individual’s birthday. It’s useful to keep this in mind to avoid potential confusion.
3. Gesturing:
While expressing age verbally is common, Koreans sometimes use fingers as gestures to indicate their age. For example, to show you’re in your twenties, raise both hands with fingers spread to indicate the number 2. Keep in mind that this method is more casual and less commonly utilized.
Closing Thoughts
Congratulations! You’ve reached the end of our guide on how to say age in Korean. We hope this comprehensive overview has provided you with a solid understanding of the various ways to express age, both formally and informally. Remember to consider context, relationship, and level of politeness when communicating in Korean. Language is a beautiful gateway to understanding and appreciating different cultures, and your efforts in learning Korean will undoubtedly be appreciated. 재밌게 공부하세요! (Enjoy your studies!)
