So, how old are you? In Korea, it’s not considered rude to ask – and the answer you give should be older than your age in the UK.
Why isn’t it rude? When speaking Korean, Koreans need to know if someone is older, younger, or the same age as them – as this changes the level of politeness in language they’ll use. There are two broad versions of Korean politeness, banmal 반말 and jondeatmal 존댓말. For people who are younger, or close friends, the more casual banmal is often used. Jondeatmal is the more polite and formal Korean.
What do you mean I’m older in Korea? Koreans consider babies to begin aging pretty much as soon as they’re conceived, so when you’re born, you’re already one (maybe it’s easier to count than nine months?). Also, on January 1st, Koreans all age one more year. Your actual birthday is still celebrated of course, but you’re officially one year older already.
So how old exactly are you in Korea? Try this simple equation here:
This year – Your birth year + 1 year = your Korean age.
So if you were born in 1987… 2017-1987=30, +1 = 31.
Or, try thinking about it this way – it’s all the years you have experienced in your life to date. Explained by Talk to Me in Korean’s Hyunwoo.
