Did you ever hear someone say they were 30 in Korea but only 28 internationally? You’re not alone in doing a double take. Korean age has puzzled foreigners for decades. But don’t worry—it’s easy to understand once you know the basics.
Let’s break it down.
What Is Korean Age?
Until recently, South Korea used a unique age-counting system that made everyone seem 1–2 years older than their international age. This method, often called “Korean age,” was used in everyday life, especially in casual conversations, social settings, and media.
Here’s how it worked:
- You’re 1 year old at birth (to count time in the womb).
- Everyone gains a year on January 1st, not on their birthday.
So if you were born on December 31, you’d be 2 years old the very next day—even though you’d only been alive two days.
How to Calculate Korean Age
Here are the main methods you’ll come across:
Method 1: The Traditional Way (Korean Age)
Korean Age = (Current Year – Birth Year) + 1
Example:
If you were born in 2000, and it’s 2025:
→ (2025 − 2000) + 1 = 26 Korean age
Even if your birthday hasn’t come yet this year.
Method 2: Counting Age (연나이, yeon-nai)
Some Koreans also used “Counting Age”:
Counting Age = Current Year – Birth Year
This is closer to international age, but it doesn’t account for whether your birthday has passed.
Method 3: International Age
This is what’s used globally:
International Age = Current Year – Birth Year
Subtract 1 if your birthday hasn’t happened yet this year.
A Major Change: The 2023 Law
In June 2023, South Korea officially ended the old Korean age system in all administrative and legal settings. International age is now used on government documents, IDs, and in healthcare.
Note: The old way of talking about age is still common in everyday conversation—especially among older generations.
Talking About Age in Korean
Age plays a big role in Korean culture—it affects how you address people, what you call them, and even how friendships form.
Common Phrases
- 몇 살이에요? (myeot sal-i-e-yo?)
- “How old are you?” (informal/polite)
- 나이는 어떻게 되세요? (na-i-neun eo-tteoh-ke doe-se-yo?)
- More formal way to ask age
- 저는 스물여섯 살이에요. (jeo-neun seu-mul-yeo-seot sal-i-e-yo.)
- “I’m 26 years old.”
If you want to specify, you can say:
한국 나이로 스물여섯 살이에요. – “I’m 26 in Korean age.”
Quick Age Conversion Table (up to 2025)
| Birth Year | Korean Age (Traditional formula) |
International Age (if birthday passed) |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 26 | 25 |
| 2010 | 16 | 15 |
| 2020 | 6 | 5 |
So, Which Age Should You Use?
- Official settings → Always international age.
- Casual conversations → Korean age may still come up, especially with locals.
- When in doubt → Ask or clarify what system is being used.
Final Thoughts
Korean age isn’t just about numbers—it’s tied to history, culture, and communication. Now that you understand how it works, you’ll be ready for any age-related conversation in Korea.
