Age in Korea

In Korea, I skipped the age of 25 and went straight to 26.  Don't forget I am 24 in America.  I'd gladly remind my family members in America that I am the youngest.

When people ask my age, I say 89 (because that's the year I was born in), then people can determine my age. In Korea, I am still the youngest in my family- "막내" (mag-nae).

In Korea, when children are born, they are 1 at the time of their birth.  Every New Year everybody gains a year.  Koreans may say they are a couple years older than they really are because of their age system.  I found out from 오빠 that I am 26 (in Korea).

How I found out my age was that I was messaging with my 오빠's friend.  She called me "언니." (unni)  I was shocked because I'm used to  "언니" with my friends.  It felt weird, plus I thought she was older (another thing of being the youngest, I always think I am the youngest...kidding).  I also use "언니" with my friends whom are girls, older than me, and whom I am close with.  Plus, my brother is older, so I thought ranks would play an important role in how I should address her.  I use "오빠" with my older male cousins and "언니" with the one girl cousin I met.

오빠 [oppa; the pp are pronounced]: It is a term for a girl to call an older male
* This can also be used to call older male friends, or a term for a boyfriend
언니 [unni-eon-ni]: It is a term for a girl to call an older female
*For me, I have to be close with them

I do have (a) female cousin (s) in Korea, whom I call "언니."  I think I have more males in my Korean family than I do females; I was bored and wanted to count how many females and males I had in my family instead of doing my housework (kidding).

If I was a boy.  I would have to call my brother "형" (hyung).  I would have to call my older sister "누나" (nuna).
형 [young and put an H in front of it]: Older brother to a boy
누나 [noo-na]: Older sister to a boy
형님 [hyung- nim]: which is more respectful than "형".  This can be used in the work place or with an older male whom you're not close with.
누님 [Nu-nim]: Again, more respectful than "누나".

If I had my way, everybody would be called "야"  (Thank you Running Man).  They use "야" a lot on that show.  I just picked it up from there.  "야" means "Hey" and it's informal.  My friends in America and I use "야" so we can find each other.  If I use "야" with my relatives whom are older than me, I would be in trouble.  I also tell my friends "야" is my term for endearment...which they think is funny and will leave me alone forever.  Sometimes, I call my animals "야" but that's because I love them a lot.  I haven't called my parents "야" and I don't think they would respond happily.

I also use words like "eldest" and "second oldest" when I describe my uncles and aunts from Korea to family in America.
큰아빠: [keun-appa] is oldest uncle.  {Literal translation: big-dad}
작은 아빠: [Jak-eun appa] is second oldest uncle {Literal translation: small-dad}

When I am in Korea and describe my sisters to people I use:
큰언니: [Keun-unni]: meaning big/oldest sister
두번째 언니: [doo-bun jae unni]: meaning second sister.

I use words like: 엄마 (mom or mommy) when I talk about my mom and 아빠 (dad or daddy) when I talk about my dad.  I can use 어머니 (Mother) but that is formal and meant for kids who are getting married. I can use 아버지 (father), but same as mother.

초카 (Cho-ka) is niece or nephew (can be used as both).  I use 여초카 (niece) and 남초카 (nephew).

When I speak with my cousin who are older than me I use formal language where I add "요, 입니다, 습니다" when I speak.  There's an age gap and trust me, I have not used "야" at all.

That is all I can say about age.