The main difference between Korean age and international age is that Koreans calculate their age starting from the prenatal stage, while those who use international age calculate the age from the day of birth.
Countries in East Asia, especially Korea, traditionally used a specific method to determine the age of a person. This method still exists in Korea. International age, on the other hand, is the method most other countries use to determine one’s age – calculating the years from the date of birth.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Korean Age
– Definition, Features, Calculation
2. What is International Age
– Definition, Features, Calculation
3. Difference Between Korean Age and International Age
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Korean Age, International Age
What is Korean Age
The way Koreans calculate their age is different from other countries. In Korea, the age is calculated as one year older than the actual age. For example, if someone was born on the 25th of September 2015, on the 26th of September 2015, that person is considered to be one year old. This is because Koreans take in the time a child spends in the womb when calculating the age. In other words, Koreans consider prenatal age when calculating their age. Thus, the Korean age is always one year more than one’s international age, as Koreans believe everyone is one year old at birth.
However, you only can see this practice of age calculation in South Korea. Moreover, generally, the Korean age will change on New Year’s Day, and it will not change on someone’s birthday. Although their Korean age changes on New Year’s Day, people in Korea celebrate their birthdays and count the actual or the international age. In Korea, age is very important. Age affects most social interactions. People use different language variants and patterns to talk to people of different ages, and they expect people to act differently according to their ages. There are some formulas you can use to calculate Korean age; various calculators are also available on the web to determine your Korean age.
What is International Age
International age counts the anniversaries of one’s birth. Age is calculated on one’s birthday, and every year on that particular day, the birthday is celebrated. For example, if someone was born on the 25th of September 2015, his or her birthday would be celebrated on the 25th of September every year. At the same time, counting his or her age will start on the 25th of September 2016. On this day, he or she would turn one year old. Thus, if the current year is 2022, that person’s age will be 07 years old.
Many countries, including the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, France, as well as many Asian countries, use the international age. These countries may use the international age for all documentation purposes as well as for cultural purposes.
Difference Between Korean Age and International Age
Definition
Korean age is the way Koreans calculate the age, and it is usually one year older than the actual age and their age will change on New Year’s Day while international age is the standard method for calculating age based on the date of birth of someone.
Birthday
In the Korean age, the birthday of a person is considered to be New Year’s Day, whereas, in the international age, the birthday is considered the date of birth of a person.
Calculation of Age
Although Korean age counts prenatal dates for the age calculation, international age counts the dates or years after the date of birth.
Cultural Influence
In Korea, people use the Korean age for cultural occasions, and they use the international age for documentation purposes. However, other countries use the international age for both cultural and documentation purposes.
Usage
Although there is a specific system with numbers to say the Korean age, there is no specific way to say the international age. People use cardinal numbers to say international age.
Conclusion
The main difference between Korean age and international age is that Koreans calculate their age starting from the prenatal stage, and they believe New Year’s Day as one’s birthday, while international age is calculated from the day of birth, and the age will change again on the birthday of the next year.
Reference:
1. “Korean Age – Calculator and Explanation of the System.” 90 Day Korean.
Image Courtesy:
1. “East Asian age vs International age chart” By UserTwoSix – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Happy little ethnic child blowing out candles during birthday celebration” Photo by Chrofit the man to call (CC0) via Pexels
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