Japanese
Korean
Age and birth year
❃ Age and birth year
-
おいくつですか？
[ Naiga eotteoke doeseyo? ] -
How old are you? (polite)
-
何歳ですか？
[ Myeot sarieyo? ] -
How old are you? (standard)
-
私は20歳です。
[ Jeoneun seumu sarieyo. ] -
I am 20 years old.
-
私は30歳です。
[ Jeoneun seoreun sarieyo. ] -
I am 30 years old.
-
何年生まれですか？
[ Myeon nyeonsaengiseyo? ] -
What year were you born?
-
私は90年生まれです。
[ Jeoneun gusimnyeonsaengieyo. ] -
I was born in '90.
-
私たちは同い年ですね。
[ Urineun donggabineyo. ] -
We are the same age.
-
私より年上（ヒョン）ですね。
[ Jeoboda hyeongineyo. ] -
You are older than me (male to older male).
-
私より年上（ヌナ）ですね。
[ Jeoboda nunaneyo. ] -
You are older than me (male to older female).
-
私が年下です。
[ Jega dongsaengieyo. ] -
I am younger.
-
年月日はいつですか？
[ Saengiri eonjeyeyo? ] -
When is your birthday?
-
私の誕生日は今日です。
[ Je saengireun oneurieyo. ] -
My birthday is today.
-
若く見えますね。
[ Donganisineyo. ] -
You look young for your age.
-
年齢より大人っぽく見えます。
[ Naiboda seongsukhae boyeoyo. ] -
You look mature for your age.
-
楽に話してください。
[ Pyeonhage malsseumhaseyo. ] -
Please speak comfortably (informally).
In many Western societies, asking someone about their age shortly after meeting them is often considered a social faux pas, or at the very least, slightly impolite or intrusive. In South Korea, however, determining someone's age is an absolute social necessity and serves as the fundamental compass for all human interaction. The Korean language and its strict social hierarchy are entirely dictated by age (나이 - Nai). To know whether they should treat you as a respected senior, a junior, or a friend of the exact same age (동갑 - Donggap), Koreans must know how old you are. Therefore, the question 몇 년생이세요? (Myeon nyeonsaengiseyo? - "What year were you born?") is incredibly common and usually asked within the first few minutes of a conversation. Historically, the country used the "Korean Age" system, where a baby is considered one year old at birth and ages a year every January 1st, regardless of their actual birthday. Although the government officially switched to the international age system for administrative and legal purposes recently, deep-rooted cultural habits die hard, and the birth year remains the ultimate social equalizer. If someone is even one year older than you, you are strictly expected to use polite, formal language (존댓말 - Jondaetmal) and treat them with clear deference. You will also use specific familial titles based on gender and age differences, such as 오빠 (Oppa) or 형 (Hyung) for older brothers/friends, and 언니 (Unni) or 누나 (Nuna) for older sisters/friends. Understanding this dynamic is crucial for any visitor or expatriate. You should never be offended or taken aback if a local asks your age right away; they are not being nosy, they are simply trying to figure out the correct and most respectful way to address you!
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