How to Pronounce Korean Age351

IntroductionUnderstanding how to pronounce Korean age is crucial for effectively communicating with Korean speakers. Unlike English, Korean has a unique system for expressing age, which can be confusing for non-native speakers. This article will provide a comprehensive guide to pronouncing Korean age, ensuring accurate and confident communication.
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Age System in KoreanIn Korea, age is calculated differently from many Western cultures. Koreans follow the East Asian age reckoning system, which considers the year of birth, the current year, and whether the person's birthday has passed during the current year. This system is rooted in the traditional Confucian belief that life begins at conception, not at birth.
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Basic Pronunciation RulesTo pronounce Korean age, follow these basic rules:
- Double the initial consonant: For ages 21-99, double the initial consonant of the numeral. For example, 21 is pronounced "shissip-il."
- Add "-sai" or "-se" at the end: For ages 1-19, add "-sai" if the speaker is addressing someone older and "-se" if addressing someone younger. For example, 15 is pronounced "ship-o-sai" (to someone older) or "ship-o-se" (to someone younger).
- Use honorifics: When addressing someone older, use the honorific "yeo" before their age. For example, "yeo shissip-yeo-sai" (21 years old).
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Pronunciation of Specific Ages

Ages 0-19| Age | Pronunciation | Honorific |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | yeon-ae | yeo yeon-ae |
| 1 | han-sai | yeo han-sai |
| 2 | dul-sai | yeo dul-sai |
| 3 | set-sai | yeo set-sai |
| 4 | net-sai | yeo net-sai |
| 5 | da-set-sai | yeo da-set-sai |
| 6 | yeo-set-sai | yeo yeo-set-sai |
| 7 | il-gop-sai | yeo il-gop-sai |
| 8 | yeo-deol-sai | yeo yeo-deol-sai |
| 9 | a-hop-sai | yeo a-hop-sai |
| 10 | yeol-sai | yeo yeol-sai |
| 11 | yeol-hana-sai | yeo yeol-hana-sai |
| 12 | yeol-dul-sai | yeo yeol-dul-sai |
| 13 | yeol-set-sai | yeo yeol-set-sai |
| 14 | yeol-net-sai | yeo yeol-net-sai |
| 15 | ship-o-sai | yeo ship-o-sai |
| 16 | ship-yuk-sai | yeo ship-yuk-sai |
| 17 | ship-chil-sai | yeo ship-chil-sai |
| 18 | ship-pal-sai | yeo ship-pal-sai |
| 19 | ship-gu-sai | yeo ship-gu-sai |

Ages 20-99| Age | Pronunciation | Honorific |
|---|---|---|
| 21 | shissip-il | yeo shissip-il |
| 22 | shissip-i | yeo shissip-i |
| 23 | shissip-sam | yeo shissip-sam |
| 24 | shissip-sa | yeo shissip-sa |
| 25 | shissip-o | yeo shissip-o |
| 30 | sam-sip | yeo sam-sip |
| 40 | sa-sip | yeo sa-sip |
| 50 | o-sip | yeo o-sip |
| 60 | yuk-sip | yeo yuk-sip |
| 70 | chil-sip | yeo chil-sip |
| 80 | pal-sip | yeo pal-sip |
| 90 | gu-sip | yeo gu-sip |
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Example Phrases- I am 25 years old. - "Jeo shissip-o-sai-ibnida."
- How old are you? - "(Annyeo) ire-sweo-ibnikka?"
- My son is 5 years old. - "Jeo adeul-i o-sai-ieyo."
- The teacher is 42 years old. - "Seonsaengnim-i sa-shup-i-ibnida."
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Tips for Practice- Listen to native speakers: Immerse yourself in Korean conversations to familiarize yourself with the pronunciation.
- Practice speaking aloud: Repeat the age pronunciations frequently to improve your fluency.
- Use online resources: Utilize language learning apps or websites that provide audio recordings of Korean age pronunciations.
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ConclusionMastering the pronunciation of Korean age is essential for effective communication in Korea. By understanding the unique system and following the pronunciation rules outlined in this article, you can confidently express and understand ages in Korean. Remember to practice regularly and immerse yourself in the language to enhance your pronunciation skills.

2024-11-04

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