Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 늙다 | neukda | [nɯk̚t͈a̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 나이들다 | naideulda | [na̠idɯɭda̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 연로하다 | yeollohada | |
| 나이 많다 | nai manta |
These terms are used to describe a living being that has lived for relatively many years.
Which one should you use?
The form 늙다 is used to describe the physical process of aging or looking old, and it often carries a slightly negative or blunt connotation regarding one's appearance. In contrast, 나이 들다 is a more neutral and descriptive way to say someone is getting older or has reached a certain age, focusing on the passage of time rather than physical decay. Finally, 나이 많다 is a plain way to state that someone has a high age.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For respectful or formal situations, use 연로하다 to describe an elderly person, as it is a highly respectful way to show honor to their age. In everyday, colloquial conversation, you can use 나이 많다 to simply say someone is old.
How does it change in a sentence?
If you wish to use the verb 늙다 as an adjective to modify a noun, such as in the phrase "an old person", you must conjugate it to the form 늙은.
How do you pronounce it?
neukda
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use 늙다 to describe inanimate objects like "old books" or "old cars". Instead, use 오래되다 to describe things that have been around for a long time.
Did you know?
- Because age is so central to social hierarchy, Koreans often ask someone's age immediately after meeting to determine which 'old' or 'young' honorifics to use.
- The word for 'age', 나이, is actually a descendant of the verb 'to be born', which is 나다.
- The phrase 나이 들다 literally translates to 'entering age' or 'receiving age', treating aging as an accumulation of something.
Examples in context
- 그 할머니는 연로하시다.That grandmother is old.
- 난 벌써 늙었어.I'm already old.
- 그 고양이는 늙은 고양이야.That cat is an old cat.
- 오랜 친구야! 한동안 못 봤네.Old friend! Haven't seen you for a while.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “old” translations and entries 늙다, 나이들다, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 나이, 늙다, 많다, CC BY-SA 4.0.
