In Korean culture, it is common for people to ask each other’s age as a polite way of getting to know each other better. Are you learning Korean and wondering how to express your age? Look no further! In this comprehensive guide, we will explore how to say “I am years old” in Korean, covering both formal and informal ways of expression. So, let’s dive in and discover the various ways to talk about your age in the Korean language.
Table of Contents
Formal Expressions
When it comes to expressing your age formally, there are a few phrases you should familiarize yourself with. These phrases are appropriate to use when speaking with strangers, older individuals, or in professional settings.
- “저는 [number]살입니다.”
This is the most common and straightforward way to say your age formally in Korean. Simply replace [number] with your age. For example, if you are 27 years old, you would say “저는 스무 칠살입니다” (jeoneun seumu chilsarimnida).
“제 나이는 [number]세 입니다.”
This phrase is slightly more polite and emphasizes the word “나이” (nai), which means “age.” For example, if you are 50 years old, you would say “제 나이는 오십세 입니다” (je nainun osip sesimnida).
Informal Expressions
When speaking with friends, peers, or younger individuals, you can use more casual expressions to talk about your age.
- “나 [number]살이야.”
Using “나” (na) means “I.” For example, if you are 35 years old, you would say “나 서른 다섯살이야” (na seoreun daseotsar-iya).
“[Number]살이야.”
This is a shortened version of the previous expression and is commonly used among friends. For example, if you are 19 years old, you would say “열아홉살이야” (yeolahopsal-iya).
Additional Tips
To further enhance your understanding of age-related expressions in Korean, here are a few additional tips:
- Avoid using Korean numbers for ages above 10 in informal conversations.
Koreans often prefer to say their age in Sino-Korean numbers (Chinese-based numbers) when talking about ages above 10. They believe it sounds more formal and respectful. For example, instead of saying “스무 살” (seumu sal), which directly translates to “twenty years old,” Koreans would generally use “스물 한 살” (seumul han sal), meaning “21 years old” in Sino-Korean numbers.
Regional variations
Korea is a diverse country with regional accents and dialects. While the expressions mentioned above are widely understood across Korea, some regions might have unique variations. For instance, in Seoul, people may say “스무 일곱살” (seumu ilgopsal) instead of “스물 일곱살” (seumul ilgopsal) to mean “27 years old.”
Fun fact: The Korean age system is unique and slightly different from the Western system. Koreans consider a newborn as one year old and add an additional year on every New Year’s Day.
Practice makes perfect!
Remember, learning a new language takes time and practice. The more you use these expressions in conversations with native Korean speakers, the more comfortable and natural they will become to you.
Now that you have a comprehensive guide on how to say “I am years old” in Korean, both formally and informally, you are ready to engage in conversations about age with confidence. Embrace the cultural significance of age exchange in Korean society and continue your language learning journey with enthusiasm. Happy learning!
