Speaking English - Talking about your age

TL;DR

Learn the proper way to ask someone's age and the different categories of age from baby to senior.

Transcript

Hello. My name is Hannah. Welcome to EngVid. Today, we are going to learn about age. How old are you? Hand, what are you doing? Get out of the way. Hi. I don't know how that Hannah the Hand came in there. That was very strange indeed. I hope she doesn't come back again. Today, we're going to learn to talk about age. How old are you? How old am I? T... Read More

Key Insights

• 😚 Asking someone's age can be considered rude, especially if you're not close to them.
• 🤕 Korea has a unique age system where people have both international and Korean age.
• 🤕 You can generalize your age by using terms like "early, mid, or late" followed by the appropriate age range.
• 👶 Different categories of age include baby, toddler, child, teen, adult, senior/elderly, and the idiom "over the hill".
• 📞 Seniors or elderly individuals often receive discounts and benefits in various establishments.
• 😑 The expression "one foot in the grave" refers to someone who is near death due to old age.
• 😒 Always use the verb "to be" when talking about age, such as "I am" or "he/she is".

Questions & Answers

Q: Is it rude to ask someone their age?

It can be seen as rude to ask someone's age, especially if you're not close to them. It's best to avoid asking unless you have a comfortable relationship with the person.

Q: How can I talk about age without being specific?

You can use general terms like "I'm in my early/mid/late ___" to give the idea of your age range without revealing the exact number.

Q: Why does Korea have two different ages?

Korea has a separate age system, where a person is considered one year old at birth and adds a year on New Year's Day. This is why they have both international age and Korean age.

Q: When does someone become a senior or elderly?

The age for becoming a senior or elderly can vary, but it usually starts at 60 or 65. This is when people may qualify for senior discounts and other benefits.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Asking someone's age can be a sensitive topic, so be mindful of who you ask.

• In Korea, people have two different ages - international age and Korean age.

• You can generalize your age by saying "early, mid, or late" followed by the appropriate age range.