Korean Age 11/18/2008
 

Ok, here is the skinny on Korean age.  This is from a friend of mine that is Korean; born and raised here.  When you are born into a Korean family, you are 1 year old at birth. Now, if you are born in January, December, or any month in between, the following January 1st, when the new year starts, you age, you are now 2 years old.  So yes, if you were born December 31st, 2007,  on January 1st, 2008, you are considered 2 years old, when you are actually 2 days old.  Crazy huh?  Birthdates do not age you, the new year ages you.  Also, when you are 100 days old in Korea your family has a huge celebration for you (as long as you are healthy), because at 100 days, you are expected to live.  They get this from long ago when there was no modern medicine & many infants died.  Koreans do celebrate the day of their birth, typically the same way American's do with a birthday cake, and going out to dinner.

So, be warned, if you ask a Korean their age, (which is very common in this country, and not considered rude at all) you may get up to a 2 year difference.  Instead you should ask their birth date, including the year to get a more accurate (American) age.

 


Comments

Marcie

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 17:18:03

So, how does this work for school? Does this mean that a child like Z (whose bday is Dec. 20th) would be considered 5 right now instead of 3 and therefore would be in Kindergarten? Very interesting!

 

Trish

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 17:54:25

Yes, Z would is 3 in American years would be considered 5 in Korean years, then in January he will be considered 6 (not on his b-day). Korean children do not start school till they are 8.

 

kathie

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 05:57:39

Wow! That should cover a 3 yr old not starting school.

 

Lara

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 21:25:13

Weird - that's how it is with horses, too.

 

randy

Sat, 22 Nov 2008 03:45:20

and I know that in Italy you are one when you are born, but I don't know about the rest of it. Neat, huh? I love these cultural differences!

 



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