In Korea, age is counted differently from the rest of the world. When babies are born, they are considered one year old. In addition, everyone turns a year older not on their birthdays, but when the new year begins. Whether you are born in January or December, you are the same age if you are born in the same year.
For example, someone born in 2000 is either 19 years old or 20 years old. In Korea however, everyone who is born in 2000 is 21 years old (regardless of whether or not your birthday has passed).
The typical age system, which counts newborn babies as 0 years old and adds age on birthdays, is called "man nai" in Korea. This man nai method is the same age system as the American one. It is used for legal situations and counting the voting age.
In general, Koreans consider someone an adult on January 1st of the year they become 20 years old in Korean age. In East Asian cultures, the current method that Koreans use was the historical norm, but other countries have switched to the American system. Today, Korea is the only country that uses this method.
Year 2021 is coming soon! The new year signifies adding another age to Koreans. Many young people in their 20s would hold parties and decorate party rooms with balloons representing their new age. Did this help you understand the Korean age system? Because Koreans speak honorifics to others based on age, this is a critical piece of information. When you meet a Korean person for the first time, you will often be asked about your age. How old are you in Korean age?
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