Learning how to ask someone’s age is an essential part of language learning. In this guide, we will explore how to ask “How old are you?” in Korean, both in formal and informal settings. Additionally, we will provide tips, examples, and regional variations where necessary. So, let’s get started!
Table of Contents
1. Formal Way: 나이가 어떻게 되세요? (nai-ga utteohge dwe-se-yo?)
The formal way of asking someone’s age in Korean is by using the phrase “나이가 어떻게 되세요?” This phrase is polite and appropriate for formal situations or when speaking to someone older than you.
Example:
Person A: 안녕하세요! 저는 김지수라고 합니다.
(annyeonghaseyo! jeo-neun Kim Ji-su-ra-go ham-ni-da.)
Person B: 반갑습니다! 제가 궁금한 게 있는데요, 나이가 어떻게 되세요?
(bangapseumnida! je-ga goong-geum-han ge it-neun-dae-yo, nai-ga utteohge dwe-se-yo?)
Person A: 제 나이는 28살이에요.
(je nai-neun 28-sa-ri-e-yo.)
2. Informal Way: 몇 살이에요? (myeot sa-ri-e-yo?)
When talking to someone who is close to your age or in informal settings, you can use the phrase “몇 살이에요?” to ask someone’s age casually.
Example:
Person A: 안녕! 너 몇 살이에요?
(annyeong! neo myeot sa-ri-e-yo?)
Person B: 나는 25살이야.
(na-neun 25-sa-ri-ya.)
3. Polite Way: 몇 살입니까? (myeot sa-ri-im-ni-kka?)
The phrase “몇 살입니까?” is used to maintain a respectful tone and can be used in various settings when you want to show politeness, but not formality.
Example:
Person A: 미안한데요, 그러니까 제가 한 가지 여쭤봐도 될까요?
(mianhandae-yo, geu-reo-ni-kka je-ga han ga-ji yeo-joo-bwa-do doel-gga-yo?)
Person B: 네, 물어보셔도 괜찮아요. 무엇을 여쭤보실 건가요?
(ne, mool-eo-bo-syeo-do gwaen-chanh-a-yo. mu-eo-seul yeo-joo-bo-shil geon-ga-yo?)
Person A: 제가 궁금한 건, 몇 살입니까?
(je-ga goong-geum-han geon, myeot sa-ri-im-ni-kka?)
Person B: 제 나이는 32살입니다.
(je nai-neun 32-sa-ri-ib-ni-da.)
4. Regional Variations
Korean language has some regional variations in terms of how to ask someone’s age. Let’s explore a few of them:
- Seoul Dialect: In Seoul, people commonly say “몇 살 돼요?” to ask someone’s age in a casual way.
- Busan Dialect: In Busan, a popular phrase to ask someone’s age is “몇 살이세요?” which is similar to the formal expression but with a slight dialectal difference.
Conclusion
Mastering the art of asking someone’s age in Korean is a great skill to have when interacting with Korean speakers. Whether you need to use a formal, informal, or polite way, the phrases provided in this guide will help you navigate various situations. Remember to adapt your speech to the appropriate tone and level of formality depending on who you are speaking to. Happy learning!
