Honorific nouns: 연세 (age)

Korean grammar uses a concept called "suppletion." This is a fancy way of saying some words are replaced entirely by a different word. Instead of just adding a polite ending to 나이, you swap it out for 연세. It works just like a regular noun in a sentence. You can attach particles like -가 (subject) or -는 (topic) to it. However, the verbs that follow must also be polite. You wouldn't use a casual verb with a respectful noun. It’s like wearing a tuxedo with flip-flops—it just doesn't match! Usually, 연세 is paired with the verb 되다 (to become) in its honorific form 되시다. The most common phrase you will hear is 연세가 어떻게 되세요?. This is the gold standard for asking an elder's age politely.

1. 1Using 연세 is straightforward once you know the steps.
2. 2Identify the person you are talking about.
3. 3If they are significantly older (like a grandparent or boss), choose 연세.
4. 4Add the appropriate subject particle, usually -가.
5. 5Finish the sentence with an honorific verb form.
6. 6The most common structure is: [Person] + 연세가 어떻게 되세요?
7. 7Example: 할머니, 연세가 어떻게 되세요? (Grandmother, how old are you?)
8. 8You can also use it to describe someone: 연세가 많으세요. (They are of an advanced age.)
9. 9Remember, the noun swap is the first step in a chain of politeness.

You should use 연세 in several specific real-world scenarios.

• With Grandparents: Always use it for your own or someone else's grandparents.
• With Senior Citizens: Use it for strangers who look over 60 or 70.
• In Professional Settings: Use it for high-ranking officials or elderly clients.
• At a Hospital: Nurses and doctors use it to show respect to elderly patients.
• In Formal Introductions: When introducing your parents to a teacher or boss.

Imagine you are at a park and an elderly man asks for help. You might ask his age to be helpful: 어르신, 연세가 어떻게 되세요? This immediately builds a bridge of respect. It shows you were raised with good manners.

Knowing when to stop is just as important as knowing when to start.

• For Yourself: Never, ever use 연세 for your own age. Even if you are 100!
• For Friends: Using it for a friend would be a very weird joke.
• For Children or Younger People: Stick to 나이 or 몇 살 for the young ones.
• For Pets: Your 15-year-old dog is still just 나이.
• For Middle-Aged People: Usually, 연세 is reserved for those 60 and older. For someone in their 40s, 나이 with a polite verb is often safer. Using 연세 for a 40-year-old might accidentally imply they look much older than they are. Oops!

Even advanced learners trip up on these common pitfalls.

• The "Self-Honorific" Trap: Saying 제 연세는... is a big no-no. It sounds like you are calling yourself a king.
• Mixing Levels: Pairing 연세 with casual endings like 연세가 뭐야? sounds very confusing.
• Over-using it: Don't use it for everyone older than you. Your 25-year-old brother is just 나이.
• Forgetting the Verb: Using 연세 but forgetting to use 되세요 at the end.

Think of it like a grammar traffic light. If you use the honorific noun, the rest of the sentence must stay green (polite) all the way through.

연세 isn't the only noun that gets a respectful makeover.

• 성함 is the honorific version of 이름 (name).
• 진지 is the honorific version of 밥 (meal).
• 댁 is the honorific version of 집 (house).
• 춘추 is an even higher honorific for age, used for very elderly people (80+).

While 나이 is the "plain" word, 연세 is the "polite" word. In English, we don't really have this. We just use "age" for everyone. In Korean, these swaps are essential for social harmony. It’s like the difference between saying "What's your name?" and "May I ask your name?" but on a much deeper level.