나이(na-i, nai)
A general term meaning the number of years a person has lived
When to use
Casual talk with friends, Self-introduction, Asking age
The nuance
Used in everyday situations with friends, family, colleagues; less formal or polite than 연세.
나이 vs 연세: Politeness Difference in Age Expressions
나이 (na-i, nai) · 연세 (yeon-se, yeonse)
'나이' is a general, everyday word for age, while '연세' is a respectful term used for elders or people you want to honor.
Word-by-word breakdown
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
연세(yeon-se, yeonse)
Used to politely express the age of elders or respected people
When to use
Talking with elders, Formal occasions, Showing respect
The nuance
Used when referring to elders or in formal situations; more polite than 나이.
Real-world examples
저는 스물다섯 살이에요.
jeo-neun seu-mul-da-seos sal-i-e-yo., jeo neun seu mul da seos sal i e yo.
Natural and correct when telling your age to friends or colleagues.
저는 스물다섯 연세예요.
jeo-neun seu-mul-da-seos yeon-se-ye-yo., jeo neun seu mul da seos yeon se ye yo.
'연세' is inappropriate for referring to your own age; it's a respectful term for others.
할아버지의 연세가 80세입니다.
hal-a-beo-ji-ui yeon-se-ga 80se-ip-ni-da., hal a beo ji ui yeon se ga 80se ip ni da.
Correct polite expression for an elder's age.
할아버지의 나이가 80세입니다.
hal-a-beo-ji-ui na-i-ga 80se-ip-ni-da., hal a beo ji ui na i ga 80se ip ni da.
Natural in everyday or family contexts.
어머니, 연세가 어떻게 되세요?
eo-meo-ni, yeon-se-ga eo-tteoh-ge doe-se-yo?, eo meo ni, yeon se ga eo tteoh ge doe se yo?
Proper polite way to ask an elder's age.
어머니, 나이가 어떻게 되세요?
eo-meo-ni, na-i-ga eo-tteoh-ge doe-se-yo?, eo meo ni, na i ga eo tteoh ge doe se yo?
Asking an elder directly with '나이' can be rude.
그분의 나이가 몇 살인지 아세요?
geu-bun-ui na-i-ga myeoch sal-in-ji a-se-yo?, geu bun ui na i ga myeoch sal in ji a se yo?
Appropriate for casual or non-formal inquiry about someone's age.
그분의 연세가 몇 살인지 아세요?
geu-bun-ui yeon-se-ga myeoch sal-in-ji a-se-yo?, geu bun ui yeon se ga myeoch sal in ji a se yo?
Correct polite way to ask the age of a respected person.
Quick quiz
Which is appropriate when asking an elder's age?
어르신에게 나이를 물을 때 적절한 표현은?(eo-reu-sin-e-gena-i-reulmul-eulttaejeok-jeol-hanpyo-hyeon-eun?, eoreusinegenaireulmuleulttaejeokjeolhanpyohyeoneun?)Which is correct when telling your age to a friend?
친구에게 자신의 나이를 말할 때 올바른 표현은?(chin-gu-e-geja-sin-uina-i-reulmal-halttaeol-ba-reunpyo-hyeon-eun?, chinguegejasinuinaireulmalhalttaeolbareunpyohyeoneun?)Which is suitable for mentioning a respected person's age in formal situations?
공식 자리에서 존경하는 사람의 나이를 말할 때 적합한 표현은?(gong-sikja-ri-e-seojon-gyeong-ha-neunsa-ram-uina-i-reulmal-halttaejeok-hap-hanpyo-hyeon-eun?, gongsikjarieseojongyeonghaneunsaramuinaireulmalhalttaejeokhaphanpyohyeoneun?)
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