Have you ever heard someone say they are one or two years older than their birthday age? That’s because some countries, like China, use a special way to count age called the Chinese age system. This method is part of a bigger group of age systems used in East Asia, including Korea, Japan, and Vietnam.
Why Age Can Be Different?
In most of the world, you turn 1 year old on your first birthday. But in traditional East Asian systems:
- You are 1 year old at birth (yes, even a newborn baby!).
- You get another year older every Lunar New Year (not on your birthday).
So your age can be 1–2 years more than your “Western” age.
Try it yourself with this Chinese Age Calculator!.
What Is the Chinese Age System and East Asian Age Reckoning?
In ancient China, people used a system called suì or xūsuì (虚岁) to count age.
- Everyone turned one year older when the Lunar New Year came.
- So if you were born in December, you could be 2 years old after just a few weeks!
This system is different from the Western method where:
- You’re 0 at birth.
- You turn 1 on your first birthday.
- You gain a year on your actual birthday.
How Different Countries Used This System?
Let’s look at how different places use (or used) this age system:
🇨🇳 China
- Still used in traditional and cultural events.
- Many older people use it when talking about age.
- It connects with the Chinese Zodiac (🐲🐰🐯…).
- You can use the Chinese Age Calculator to see your age this way.
🇰🇷 Korea
- Korea used this system until June 28, 2023.
- Now, they use the international system (like Western countries).
- Before 2023, you were 1 at birth, and added a year every January 1st.
- Try the Korean Age Calculator to see your Korean age.
🇯🇵 Japan
- Japan used this system long ago, but stopped in 1902.
- Now, they only use the Western way of counting age.
🇻🇳 Vietnam
- Some older people still use it, especially in the countryside.
- It’s called tuổi mụ or tuổi âm (shadow or lunar age).
How to Calculate East Asian Age?
Let’s make it simple:
Chinese age system (Formula):
Chinese Age = Western Age + 1 (or sometimes +2)
It depends on when your birthday is and whether the Lunar New Year has passed.
For example:
- If you’re born in December and Lunar New Year is in February, your Chinese age may go up very soon!
Use this free Chinese Age Calculator to find out your age right now.
Korean Age (Before 2023):
Korean Age = Current Year − Birth Year + 1
So if it’s 2025 and you were born in 2010:
→ 2025 − 2010 = 15 + 1 = 16 years old (Korean age)
Use our Korean Age Calculator to test it!
Why It Still Matters Today?
Even though many countries now use the Western method, the old system is still important.
- School and social groups: Age can decide who goes to school together.
- Respect: In many East Asian cultures, age decides how you talk to someone.
- Zodiac: Your Chinese Zodiac sign is based on your lunar birth year.
- Legal stuff: Korea’s law changed in 2023 to make things simpler.
Culture, History & Fun Facts
- In old times, people celebrated with long noodles for a long life.
- The zodiac animal changes each year, and your age connects with it.
- This tradition goes back to the Song Dynasty over 1,000 years ago!
Even today, parents may say, “My baby is 1 year old,” even if the baby is just born!
FAQs
How does the age system work in China?
Everyone is 1 year old at birth, and gains a year at Lunar New Year, not on their birthday.
How to calculate Chinese age?
Add 1 to your Western age, and maybe 2 if your birthday is late in the year. Use this calculator.
How old is 12 in Korean age?
If someone is 12 years old in Western age, their Korean age would be 13 or even 14 depending on the time of year (before 2023).
Does Chinese age start at 1?
Yes! In Chinese age reckoning, you’re already 1 year old when you’re born.