Greetings! If you’re interested in learning how to express your age in Korean, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know about saying your age in both formal and informal contexts. Let’s dive right in!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say Your Age
When using formal language to state your age in Korean, there are two common expressions you can use:
- Nai (나이): This is the most straightforward and widely-used word for “age” in Korean. Simply state your age followed by “sai” (the Korean pronunciation of “age”).
Example 1: 제 나이는 스물셋입니다. (Je nai-neun seumul-set-ip-ni-da.)
Translation: My age is twenty-three (literally: My age is twenty and three).
Salem (세렘이): This is a more formal way to say your age in Korean. It is derived from Chinese characters and is typically used in formal situations or when talking to someone older or more senior than you.
Example 2: 저는 세렘이에요. (Jeo-neun se-rae-im-ni-da.)
Translation: I am three years old (formal).
Informal Ways to Say Your Age
When conversing with friends, family, or people of the same age or younger, you can use more casual expressions to indicate your age:
- Man (만): This expression is commonly used among friends and peers to say one’s age in Korean. It is a shortened version of “seumul-seot” (twenty-four) and can be used to express various ages.
Example 3: 나는 이만한데. (Na-neun i-man-han-de.)
Translation: I am this many (age) (literally: I am twenty-four).
Hang (행): This informal form is another way to talk about your age casually in Korean. It is derived from the Korean word for “number,” indicating how many years old you are.
Example 4: 내가 열한 행이야. (Nae-ga yeol-han haeng-i-ya.)
Translation: I am eleven years old (casual).
Additional Tips and Examples
1. Counters for Age
In Korean, age is typically expressed using different counters depending on the number of years.
- Sai (세): Used for ages ending in one.
- Se (세): Used for ages ending in two, four, and seven.
- O (오): Used for ages ending in three and six.
- Yeol (열): Used for ages ending in zero.
- Ah (아): Used for all other numbers.
2. Polite Vocabulary
When discussing age, it’s essential to be aware of your choice of vocabulary:
- Use the polite ending “-요 (yo)” when talking with people older or unfamiliar to you.
- For closer relationships or informal situations, you can omit the polite ending and simply use the expressions above.
3. Age Flexibility
In Korean culture, it is common for individuals to “add a year” to their age. This practice is due to considering the time spent in the womb as the first year. Therefore, it’s essential to be aware of this additional year when discussing ages with Koreans.
4. Age Titles and Respect
In formal situations or when addressing elders, it is customary to use age titles to show respect:
- -ssi (씨): This title is added after someone’s name and is gender-neutral. It is often used for individuals of a similar age or when the specific age is unknown.
- -nim (님): This honorific title is used to address someone who is older or has a higher social status.
Now that you have a good understanding of expressing your age in Korean, you’ll be able to engage in conversations more smoothly. Remember to consider the formality and the relationship between you and the person you’re speaking with. Have fun practicing, and enjoy your Korean language journey!
