문화
Age is a public number
나이가 어떻게 되세요? — not rude, essential.
설명은 영어입니다. 한국어 문장과 뜻은 선택한 언어를 따릅니다.
Koreans ask age early because it determines speech level, hierarchy, and who pours the soju. It's logistics, not rudeness.
빠른 년생 (early-year births) count as the older school year — the system that made same-age classmates different ages. 2023's reform changed counting, but conversations still happen.
동갑 (same age) = instant friendship mode. Older by one year = 오빠/언니/누나/형 territory. The words map your whole social world.
이 말
나이가 어떻게 되세요?
naiga eotteoke duseyo
How old are you? (polite)
동갑이에요!
donggabieyo
We're the same age!
저보다 한 살 많아요.
jeoboda han sal manayo
You're one year older than me.
빠른 90년생이에요.
ppareun gusimnyeonsaengieyo
I'm an early-1990 birth.
확인
Why do Koreans ask age early?
Say: we're the same age!