Korean Age Calculator: The Secret to calculate Age in Korean

Did you notice that Koreans ask your age in Korean after they say hi and how are you?

Because it’s an important aspect of Korean culture, don’t be upset that you have suddenly become two years older.

 After all, age is just a number!

In fact, age can decide whether you’ll address the other parties in friendly or polite language. 

But how does the Korean age work

Here’s an easy guide on how to calculate Korean age, the difference between Korean and American age, how to use the Korean age calculator, how you ask someone‘s age, and age-related words that you’ll never have to feel sorry for in front of a native.

Alright world, let’s dive in (to the core).

The Normal Word For “Age” In Korean

Before you know how the Korean age works, it’s time to learn how to say age in Korean language.

If you look up the word for age in a dictionary, you’ll find these three words “연세 (yeonse)” or “나이 (nai)” or 살 (sal).

which is technically correct, but the Korean age system is a bit misleading since it’s not always used the same way as the English counterparts

If you are speaking to somebody who is a lot older than you, or if you are in a formal setting, then you should use the word “연세 (yeonse)”

If you are speaking to somebody younger than you or of a similar age, you can use the words 나이 (nai) or 살 (sal).

살 (sal) means “years old” rather than age in South Korean age system. If you want to say “years old” when talking about someone a lot older than you, then you should say 세 (se) instead of 살 (sal).

Here are the most common ways to say the word age in Korean depending on who you are referring to.

• 연세 (yeonse) or 세 (se)-older
• 나이 (nai) or 살 (sal)-younger
• 살 (sal) means  to “years old

These are some common Korean words that you’ll hear. 

You may notice them if you live in Korea and know how to read Hangul.

Other Korean Age Terms

Before you learn to calculate your Korean age, this list of vocabulary will come in handy

You may also hear these terms when people are talking about the international age. 

• 국제 나이 (gukje nai) – international age
• 만 나이 (man nai)/미국 나이 (miguk nai) – American age
• 외국 나이 (oeguk nai) – foreign age

Alright, so let’s move on to the actual ways to know your Korean age.

how to calculate Korean age| All about Korean age system

In South Korea, a person’s age and numbers are calculated differently than in other countries.

why is the Korean age different from the American age? 

The South Korean age system is used to calculate a person’s age based on the number of years they have been alive since the start of the new year. 

This means that when a person is born, they are considered to be one year old according to the Korean age system, even if they are only a few days old by international standards.

On the other hand, international age is calculated based on the number of full years a person has been alive.

If you are thinking to yourself questions like, “How old am I in Korean age”. Just read along

let’s say you are 20 years old or 45 years old, you need to say the word “years old” first.

Here’s how to calculate age in Korean.

To say your  age in Korean,  all you need to do is add and use the native Korean number plus 살 (sal), the word for “year(s) old.”

Age in Native Korean number +  살 (sal)

Let’s take some examples of how does Korean age work

• 31 years – 서른하나[soreunhana] +  살 (sal)=서른하나살[soreunhanasal]
• 18 years – 열여덟 +  살 (sal) = 열여덟살
• 21 years – 스물하나+  살 (sal) = 스물하나살
• 25 years – 스물다섯+  살 (sal) = 스물다섯살
• 30 years – 서른+  살 (sal) = 서른살
• 29 years – 스물아홉+  살 (sal) = 스물아홉살
• 32 years – 서른둘+  살 (sal) = 서른둘살
• 100 years – 백+  살 (sal) = 백살
• 50 years old- 쉰 살swin sal+  살 (sal) = 쉰 살살

Example

• How old are you?
• 몇 살이세요?- myot sariseyo
• I am 28 years old.
• 저는 스물여덟 살이세요- joneun seumulryodol sariseyo
• I have done it since I was 18 years old.
• 전 18살부터 했습니다.
• I am 31 years old and live in Seoul.
• 저는 서울 사는 31세 하나에요.
• I’m actually not 28 years old. I m  20 years old
• 사실 18살이 아닙니다.20살이에요! 
• When we first met him, wasn’t he 18 years old?
• 연준이 형 처음 봤을 때 18살 아니었어요?
• “Hello, guys! I’m Yoon Jin. I’m 18 years old.”
• 안녕하세요, 저는 낭랑 18세 여고생 윤진이에요.’
• I wish I was 21 years old forever.
• 이제 21살이 된 게 너무 신기하다.

if not, here’s an image below for you to review native Korean numbers

Practice

Korean age calculator explained|How to calculate your age in Korean?

Learning how to calculate your Korean age may seem really complicated at first, but once you know how the Korean age works, It will be an easier job.

In fact, You don’t even need a Korean age calculator.

So let’s discuss how to calculate the Korean age according to the South Korean age system.

Formula-1

The basic Korean age formula based on the current year is:

Your Korean age = (current year – year of birth) + 1

Example

Let’s say you are born in the year 1990, and the current year is 2022. 

In that case, here’s how to know your Korean age 

Your Korean age = (2022 – 1990) + 1 = 33

Formula-2

If you’d rather calculate your Korean age based on your current “Western” age, then the formula changes depending on whether your birthday has already passed or not. 

Here’s how to calculate Korean age

• if your birthday has passed: Korean age = your age + 1
• if your birthday has not passed: Korean age = your age + 2

Example

If you are born in 1990, you will be 32 years old by 2022 according to the Western age system. 

If your birthday is passed when you are calculating it then add 32+1=33, which means you are 33 years old as per the Korean age system.

If this year’s birthday is not passed,  they would still be 32 years old according to the South Korean age system but the calculation would be 32 + 2 = 34 until their birthday.

You can calculate your age in Korean either by using the Korean age calculator or the manual formulas we discuss above. 

The choice is yours

BTS Korean age| How old is bTS in Korean age

Let’s practice how to calculate the Korean age, with the birthdays of BTS members age without using the Korean age system calculator.

Here are the birthdates of the BTS members that you can use for practicing how to know someone’s age in South Korean age system

• Park Jimin’s birthday is October 13, 1995, On December 1, 2022. So his age is 26 years old
• Min Yoongi’s birthday is March 9, 1993, On December 1, 2022. So his age is 26 years old
• Kim Namjoon’s birthday is September 12, 1994 On December 1, 2022. So his age is 26 years old
• Kim Taehyung’s birthday is December 30, 1995, On December 1, 2022. So his age is 26 years old
• Kim Seok jin’s birthday is December 4, 1992 On December 1, 2022, So his  age is 26 years old
• Jung Hoseok’s birthday is February 18, 1994, On December 1, 2022. So his age is 26 years old

Great job. You finally mastered how to know your Korean age, let’s start talking about it 

How To Say “How Old Are You” In Korean

There are different ways to say “how old are you” in Korean, depending on who you are speaking with. 

We’ve listed them below.

Standard “How Old Are You” In Korean

The simplest way to ask someone how old they are as per the South Korean age system is

 몇 살이에요? (myeot sarieyo)

You can also ask:

 연세가 어떻게 되세요? (yeonsega eotteoke doeseyo)

This is usually used when speaking to somebody older than you.

If you are speaking to somebody of a similar age, then you can say this to ask, “How old are you in Korean”.

Example:

A: How old are you?

A: 나이가 어떻게 되세요? (naiga eotteoke doeseyo)

B: I’m 32 years old.

B: 나는 32살이에요(naneun soreundusarieyo)

Informal “How Old Are You” In Korean

When you’re asking children or someone who is the same age as you or younger than you about their age, you don’t have to be as formal with calculating Korean age

You could use this 몇 살이야? (myeot sariya)

If you are not sure which one to use, It is best to say the polite form 몇 살이에요 (myeot sarieyo)? instead of 몇 살이야 (myeot sariya)?

Example

How old are you?

몇 살이야? (myeot sariya)

I am 10 years old.

나는 10살이야(naneun yolssariya)

Formal “How Old Are You” In Korean

It’s important to be formal and respectful when speaking to the elderly or in an interview. 

If you are in a formal situation such as a presentation or interview, then you can use 연세가 어떻게 되십니까? (yeonsega eotteoke doeshimnikka) to ask someone’s age in Korean. 

Example:

How old are you?

연세가 어떻게 되십니까? (yeonsega eotteoke doesimnikka)

I am 52 years old.

저는 52살입니다.

joneun swindusarimnida

The Importance Of Age In Korean Culture

How is Korean age different

Did you notice that natives like to ask your Korean age even when you meet them for the first time? 

It’s because in Korean culture, how they will address you depends on your age. 

Koreans use 춘데말( chondaemal) if you’re older or 반말(banmal)if you’re younger than them. 

If you and your friend are the same age in Korea, neither person will have to show any social obligations to the other.

So If you are 동갑(donggap), you can easily be friends with each other. 

Koreans often say 우리는 동갑이다 (urineun donggabida) means “we are the same age.” when they find out you are the same age as them.

In fact, when you are introduced to someone else through a mutual friend, Koreans automatically check each other’s age.

So that they can figure out whether they can start using 반말(banmal) or not

So they can easily be friends with each other.

Let me explain it with examples

Example:

• Suzy: What year were you born?”
• 몇 년생이세요?(myeot nyeonsaengiseyo?)
• Mirae: I was born in 1997.”
• 1997년생이요.chongubaekkkusipchilrnyeonsaengiyo.)
• Suzy: You are the same age as me. shall we speak informally?”
• 저랑 동갑인데 반말로 할까요?”
• jorang donggabinde banmalro halkkayo
• Mirae: let’s do it.
• 그렇게 하자.- geuroke haja

In fact, there is little difference between Korean age and American age

Korean age vs American age| Why is the Korean age different from international age 

Just knowing how to calculate the Korean age using the South Korean age system isn’t enough.

you should know to calculate your Korean age as well as your American age

Because Koreans use the international age(만 나이[man nai])  to avoid confusion in official documents such as a passport or birth certificates.

But what is the difference between Korean age and American age

Here are the two main differences between Korean age and American Age 

Korean age vs American age|You Are One (1) Years old When you are born

Here’s how the Korean age works

We are just zero years old when we are born, but you are already one year old when you are born as per the South Korean age system.

It’s because according to the Korean age, system consider the 9 months the babies spend in their mother’s womb is a ‘year’ 

Unlike the Western age system, when a baby is born in Korea, he/she will be 한 살(han sal) means ”one year old”

for example, if someone tells you that they are 스무 살(seumu sal)=“twenty three years old”, they actually be 열여덟 살(yeol yeodeol sal)=”21 years old” or 열아홉 살(yeolahop sal)=”22 years old”.

Korean age vs international ageYou get older on January 1st Of Every Year

In the Korean age system, sometimes native Koreans add two years to their “Western age”.

So,  how does the Korean age work?

We get older every year when our birthday is passed

As per the South Korean age system,  their age increases by one on New Year’s Day, whether his/her birthday has passed or not.

Let me explain with an example

In South Korea, a person’s age is calculated differently than in other countries. 

When a child is born on December 31st, they are considered to be one year old according to Korean age, even though they are only a few days old by international standards.

 This means that when the new year begins and the child is only a few days old, they will already be considered to be two years old according to Korean age. 

However, their actual age, known as “man nai” in Korean, would be considered zero years old by international standards. 

It’s important to note that the Korean word for age, “man,” does not come from the Chinese character for “ten thousand,” but rather from the character meaning “full.” 

When asked about their child’s age, a Korean parent may say that their child is “two years old in Korean age,” or “hanguk nairo du sarieyo” in Korean.

Korean Age Example

Let’s take a look at a comparison between using the international age system and the Korean age system. In this example, your birthday is September 21st, 1997.

• International age:
  • On January 1st, 2021, your international age is 23.
  • On September 21st, 2021, your international age is 24.
  • On January 1st, 2022, your international age is 24.

• Korean age:
  • On January 1st, 2021, your Korean age is 25
  • On September 21st, 2021, your Korean age is 25
  • On January 1st, 2022, your Korean age is 26

how old is 13 in Korean age vs American age

In South Korea when a child is born, they are considered to be one year old according to Korean age. 

This means that if a child is 13 years old by international standards (also known as “man nai” in Korean), they would be considered 14 years old according to the Korean age system.

For example, if a child is born on December 31st and is 13 years old on December 31st of the following year, they would be considered 15years old according to Korean age, even though they are only one year old by international standards. 

how old is 12 in Korean age vs global age?

If a person is 12 years old by international standards, they would be considered 13 years old according to Korean age.

For example, if a child is born on December 31st and is 12 years old on December 31st of the following year, they would be considered 14 years old according to Korean age, even though they are only one year old by international standards.

18 in korean age vs american age

If a person is 18 years old by international standards, they would be considered 19 years old according to Korean age.

For example, if a person is born on December 31st and is 18 years old on December 31st of the following year, they would be considered 20 years old on January 1 according to Korean age, even though they are only one year old by international standards.

Now we are done with the Korean age vs the global age.

BTS’ jungkook Korean age| How old is jungkook in Korean age

Jeon Jung-kook, also known as Jungkook, is a South Korean singer and performer who is a member of the popular South Korean boy band BTS. Jungkook was born on September 1, 1997.

So, how old is jungkook in Korean age

To determine Jungkook’s age in the international system, you can simply subtract his birth year (1997) from the current year. For example, if it is currently 2022, Jungkook will be 25 years old in the international system (2022 – 1997 = 25).

In the Korean age system, a person’s age is calculated differently. In Korea, a person is considered to be one year old at birth, and their age increases by one on New Year’s Day, rather than on their birthday.

so you can calculate jungkook Korean age like this

if it is currently 2022 and Jungkook was born on September 1, 1997, he will be 26 years old in the Korean age system (2022 – 1997 + 1 = 26).

To summarize, Jungkook is currently 25 years old in the international age system. but jungkook Korean age is 26 years old in the Korean age system.

BTS’ jungkook Korean age vs American age

• International age system:
  • On September 1, 2022, his international age is 25 years old.
  • On January 1, 2023, his international age is 25years old.
  • On September 1, 2023, his international age is 26.

• Korean age system:
  • On September 1, 2022, Jungkook’s age is 26 years old.
  • On January 1, 2023, Jungkook’s age is 27 years old.
  • On September 1, 2023, Jungkook’s age is 27 years old

Korean age vs international age|When To Use International Age In Korea?

Now that you know how does Korean age system works and its differences?

Let’s see When to Use the International Age in Korea.

Generally, the Korean age is used for social interactions with people, whereas the international age is used for more official things. 

For example, the legal age in Korea that is written on alcohol, cigarettes, movie posters, and so on is based on the international age.

18 in Korean age| What is the Legal Age In Korea

For most things, the minimum age or legal age in South Korea is 19. This means an international age of 18.

This is the age at which an individual is considered to be an adult and is legally allowed to drink and to make their own decisions, enter into contracts, and engage in activities that are restricted to minors. 

At the age of 18, an individual is also eligible for military service, if they are male and meet the other requirements for service. 

It is also the legal age at which a person can purchase and consume alcoholic beverages, according to Korean law. 

The legal age in North Korea is not publicly known, as information about the country is limited.

What is Legal Drinking Age In Korea

In South Korea, the legal age for purchasing and consuming alcoholic beverages is 20 years or 19 years old based on the South Korean age system.

This equates to an international age of at least 18 years old. 

To prevent the sale of alcohol to individuals under the legal drinking age, establishments in South Korea are required to check IDs. 

However, the enforcement of this law is not as strict as it is in some other countries. 

Despite this, it is still illegal for individuals under the age of 20 to purchase or consume alcohol in South Korea.

If you love to drink alcohol and cheers with your friends, you must know why is Korean age different and how does Korean age work

Military Conscription Age In Korea

In South Korea, all male citizens are required by law to complete military service. 

This duty is considered an important part of being a Korean man, and it typically lasts for around two years. 

The age range for mandatory military service is 19 to 28 years old. 

This means that all men in South Korea between these ages must complete military service before they reach the age of 28. 

The purpose of military service in South Korea is to defend the country and maintain its security.

30 Must-have Korean Words For Talking About Age In Korean

Of course, there are many other words and phrases that can be used to describe age besides numbers. 

Here are a few:

• young-“젊은” (jeolmeun) or “어린” (eorin).
• old-늙은neulgeun
• wrinkle-주름jureum
• Time-시간
• 어린 시절 (eorin sijeol): childhood
• 청소년 (cheongsonyeon): teenage years
• 청년 (cheongnyeon): young adulthood
• 중년 (jungyeon): middle age
• old age-노인 (noin)
• date of birth-생년월일 (saengnyeon-woril):
• year-살 (sal)
• monk or nun-승려 (seungnyeo)
• age-나이 (nai):
• international age-만 나이 (man nai)
• korean age-국내 나이 (guknae nai)
• middle age-“중년” (jungyeon).
• childhood/youth-어린시절-orinsijol
• adulthood-성인 songin
• beautiful-“아름다운” (areumdaun) or “예쁜” (yeppeun).
• birthday-“생일” (saeng-il).
• coming of age-성년의
• matureity-성숙함songsukam
• aging-노화
• diease-질병jilbyong
• antiaging product-노화방지 제품
• graying-고령화
• lifespan-수명sumyong
• generation-세대” (sedae).
• Same age-“같은 나이” (gateun nai) or “동갑” (donggap).
• old age-노령

Example

The old man slumped down in his chair.

발음듣기그 노인은 자기 의자에 털썩 앉았다

He is barely of age.

그는 이제 막 성년이 되었다

He has maturity beyond his years.

그는 나이보다 성숙하다

Childhood stories? What childhood stories are there?

어린 시절 이야기? 어린 시절 이야기 뭐 있지?

Is there a cut-off point between childhood and adulthood?

아동기와 성인기가 나눠지는 시점이 있나요?

When and How Koreans Celebrate Their Birthdays?

Everybody in South Korea shares the same birthday: January 1st or New Year’s Day.  

However, that’s not when they celebrate their actual birthday.

Everybody has their own birthday, complete with delicious cake and candles. 

Koreans celebrate their birthday on the day they were born, just like how the international age system works. 

But on your birthday in Korea, you are not considered one year older than the day before.

Instead, Koreans all age on the same day, January 1st. No matter when your birthday is 

if you were 40 years old on December 31st, then on January 1st, you will be 41. 

Korean age works as if everybody was born on January 1st.

how to practice age in Korean and never forget it?

I know,  it is a bit confusing to calculate your age in Korean and so many ways make it even harder to remember the South Korean age system.

but with practice and time, you can be as good as native Korean speakers.

After all, when it comes to fluency, practice is the key.

In fact, you don’t even need a Korean age calculator

Here’s how I did it.

I hope these resources will help you learn how to know your Korean age in no time.

Anki Isn’t The Only Game In Town. 

Did you know you can do a mini-series and master how to say your age in the Korean language?

Well, what could be better than that?

Here is how Koreans do it all the time (now you can do it too!!!)

Use Flashcard And Test

Maybe drama is not your thing. What about flashcards?

I know it’s an old thing(you might be using Anki too)

But When it comes to mastering Korean age vocabulary, you will never regret using these fellas. 

Here is the list 

https://quizlet.com/209591438/korean-age-flash-cards/

https://quizlet.com/543741359/korean-age-flash-cards/

https://quizlet.com/217596685/flashcards

Conclusion

Great job. Now you finally know how to calculate the Korean age

So, go ahead, and talk about it with friends and family.

Other interesting questions that you might be asked when meeting new people are about your zodiac sign or blood type. 

If you liked this article and want to learn Korean, head over here for more great resources:

Here are some recommended lessons:

• A Complete Guide to say Good Night In Korean
• The Common Ways To Say No In Korean
• Ready To Learn Korean ways to say Thank You In Korean?
• How To Say  Sorry In Korean

That’s it for today’s lesson. I hope you enjoyed it