가장 나이가 많은
gajang naiga maneun
The English word "oldest" is translated into Korean as 가장 나이가 많은 (gajang naiga maneun).
가장 나이가 많은 is used specifically to describe people or living beings. It is not used to describe the age of inanimate objects like buildings or trees.
Meaning: greatest in age or seniority (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 가장 (most), 나이 (age), 가 (subject marker) and 많은 (many/much).
Which one should you use?
첫째 translates to first-born or eldest. 맏이 translates to first-born or eldest.
How do you pronounce it?
gajang naiga maneun
Did you know?
- Because age determines social hierarchy in Korea, the phrase 가장 나이가 많은 is often the most important piece of information established when two strangers meet to determine which speech level to use.
- The word 맏이 for 'eldest' carries a social weight that 'oldest' does not, as it implies a specific set of traditional responsibilities and expectations within the family hierarchy.
- The word 가장 can be a homonym for several different words, including a term meaning 'head of the household' and a term meaning 'to pretend or disguise'.
Examples in context
- 제 친구는 가장 나이 많은 사람이에요.My friend is the oldest person.
- 우리 가족에서 첫째는 항상 책임감이 있어요.In our family, the oldest always has a sense of responsibility.
- 그는 우리 반에서 가장 나이가 많은 학생이에요.geuneun uri baneseo gajang naiga maneun haksaengieyo.He is the oldest student in our class.
- 이 고양이가 우리 집에서 가장 나이가 많은 고양이예요.i goyangiga uri jibeseo gajang naiga maneun goyangiyeyo.This cat is the oldest cat in our house.
- 누가 이 그룹에서 가장 나이가 많은 사람인가요?nuga i geurubeseo gajang naiga maneun saramingayo?Who is the oldest person in this group?
Example conversation
Subin and Hyunwoo are talking about their classmates.
- 수빈 Su-bin현우 씨, 우리 반에서 누가 가장 나이가 많아요?Hyeon-u ssi, uri ban-eseo nuga gajang naiga manayo?Hyunwoo, who is the oldest in our class?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo아마 민수 씨가 가장 나이가 많은 것 같아요.ama Minsu ssi-ga gajang naiga maneun geot gat-ayo.I think Minsu is probably the oldest.
- 수빈 Su-bin정말요? 전혀 그렇게 안 보이네요.jeongmalyo? jeonhyeo geureoke an bo-ineyo.Really? He doesn't look like it at all.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo맞아요. 정말 동안이시더라고요.majayo. jeongmal dong-an-isideoragoyo.True. He looks very young for his age.
