6/23 Talk about the Korean way of calculating one’s age.

Koreans put a lot of weight on one’s age.

ex> People put a lot of weight on appearance these days.

This is based on the age hierarchy in Confucian culture. We have our own system when it comes to calculating our age.

ex> We have our own system when it comes to quality control.

* age hierarchy: 나이에 따른 위계질서

* Confucian culture: 유교 문화

We consider the time spent in a mother’s womb to be a year. A newborn would already be considered a one-year old. That’s why Koreans consider themselves a year older than they would be according to the Western age system.

We also say we got a year older as soon as a new year starts, even if our birthdays have yet to come.

* get a year older: 한 살 더 먹다

ex> You get a year older when your birthday comes.

We often ask someone’s year of birth to avoid confusion.

ex> she kept her year of birth a secret.

People’s birthdays on the solar calendar can also change every year if they go by the lunar calendar.

* go by the lunar calendar: 음력을 따르다

ex> My parents go by the lunar calendar for their birthdays.

@ What year were you born in?  너 몇 년생이니?

<HOMEWORK>

1. I put a lot of weight on his opinion.

2. I got a year older today.

3. She doesn't let me know the year of birth.

4. Chinese people tend to go by the lunar calendar.