🇰🇷 Find Your Korean Age

What Is Korean Age?

Did you know that in Korea, your age might be different than it is in other countries?

In most places, your age is based on your birthday. You turn one year older every year on your birthday that’s called international age.

But in Korea, things work a little differently. In the Korean age system, you are already 1 year old when you are born! Then, everyone gets one year older together on January 1st, no matter when their birthday is.

So, if you’re 20 years old in your country, you might be 21 or even 22 in Korea!

Why Does This Matter?

• Social life: Age is very important in Korean culture. People use age to show respect. The way you speak to someone can change depending on who’s older!

• Legal rules: Your age decides when you can drive, vote, or join the army in Korea.

• School & work: It can affect when you start school or even apply for a job.

What Is the Korean Age System?

In Korea, people use two main types of age:

1. 한국 나이 (Hanguk Nayi) – Korean Age

• This is the traditional age system in Korea.

• In Korean age:

  • You are 1 year old when you’re born.

  • Then, you gain 1 more year every January 1st, not on your birthday.

Example:
If you are born on December 30, you are 1 year old right away.
Two days later, on January 1, you become 2 years old even though you’re only a few days old!

2. 만 나이 (Man Nayi) – International Age

• This is the same system used in most countries.

• You are 0 when you’re born.

• You turn 1 on your first birthday, and grow older on each birthday after that.

In most places, your age is based on your birthday. You turn one year older every year on your birthday that’s called international age.

What’s the Difference?

History & Culture Behind Korean Age

The Korean age system is very old. It came from ancient ideas in Asia, including China and Confucian beliefs.

In the past:

• Being older meant more respect and wisdom.

• Knowing someone’s age helped people decide how to talk to each other.

• Even today, Koreans ask your age early in a conversation — it’s normal!

Korean age is used in everyday life, but now, more people especially younger Koreans are starting to use international age instead.

In fact, Korea passed a new law in 2023 to use international age for legal and official matters!

How to Calculate Korean Age?

ormula 1: Year-Based Korean Age

This is the most common method.

✅ Korean Age = (Current Year – Birth Year) + 1

Example:
Let’s say it’s 2025 and you were born in 2010.

(2025 − 2010) + 1 = 16
So, your Korean age is 16.

It doesn’t matter if your birthday has passed or not  it only looks at the year!

Formula 2: Birthday-Based Korean Age

This is a little different. It depends on your birthday and if it already passed this year.

✅ Korean Age =
– Your current international age
– Then +1 if your birthday has passed
– Or +2 if it hasn’t yet

Example:
You are 14 years old now, and your birthday is March 1.

• If today is after March 1 → Korean age = 14 + 1 = 15

• If today is before March 1 → Korean age = 14 + 2 = 16

Real-Life Examples

Example 1: Born on December 31, 2010

Let’s say today is January 1, 2025.

• Your international age = 14 (you haven’t turned 15 yet)

• Your Korean age = (2025 − 2010) + 1 = 16
  You are 16 years old in Korean age, even though your birthday just happened yesterday!

Try Our Korean Age Calculator!

Instead of doing all the math yourself, you can use our Korean Age Calculator.

Just enter your birthday
Click the button
See your Korean age instantly!

Why Korean Age Is Important? 

Korean age isn’t just a number it plays a big role in Korean life! People use it every day to know how to talk to others and to follow rules.

Let’s look at how Korean age matters in real life

1. Social Norms: How People Talk Based on Age

In Korea, age decides how you speak to someone. Even a 1-year difference can change everything!

Greeting and Respect

• You usually ask, “How old are you?” early when meeting someone.

• If someone is older than you, you speak more politely.

• If they are younger, you can speak more casually.

Special Terms for Older People

Koreans have special names for older brothers, sisters, and friends:

Legal Rules: What You Can or Can’t Do

In Korea, some laws are based on your Korean age, not just international age.

Here are a few important examples:

If you think you’re too young or old for something check your Korean age first!

Famous Case: BTS and Age Rules

Even the world-famous BTS had a moment where age rules became a big deal.

In 2015, there was a news story where Jungkook, the youngest member, was still under the legal Korean age to drink but some people thought he was old enough by international age.

This showed how important it is to understand Korean age even for celebrities!

How to Say Your Age in Korean? 

In Korea, people often ask about age when they meet someone. That’s because age decides how you speak to each other politely or casually.

So let’s learn some basic Korean phrases to ask and answer about age! 

How to Ask: “How old are you?”

How to Answer: “I am __ years old.”

Simple Number Guide (1–10 in Korean)

To say 15: 열다섯 (yeol-da-seot)
To say 21: 스물하나 (seu-mul-ha-na)

FAQs

How old is 17 in Korean age?

If you’re 17 years old (international age), your Korean age is usually 18 or 19, depending on your birthday and the current date.

How do I calculate my Korean age?

Use this formula:
(Current year – Your birth year) + 1
Example: (2025 – 2010) + 1 = 16

Is 18 in Korea a minor?

No. In Korea, 18 is usually the age when you can vote, and 19 is the legal age for drinking or smoking.

Am I 2 years older in Korea?

Sometimes, yes!

• If your birthday hasn’t happened yet this year, your Korean age might be 2 years more than your international age.

• If your birthday already passed, it’s usually 1 year more.

Do Koreans still use Korean age in 2025?

Officially, no. Since June 2023, the Korean government uses international age for laws and documents. But people still use Korean age in daily life and conversation.