How do you calculate your age ?

Question

This topic might seem a bit stupid to you at the first glance, but that's what confused me a lot.

I am Chinese. At the family reunion dinner, my family member told me that I am 25 years old now. It shocked me as I don't understand how they calculate my age. I was born in Oct.2, 1988, so to calculate my age I just use 2012 minus 1988 and 24 left . As my birthday in 2012 is not coming yet , I would tell others that I am 23 years old. But my family member always like to add another two years old to my age every Chinese New Year, which always puzzles me a lot.
When asked what theory it was based on when they count my age as such, they usually answer that we should follow our tradition. Actually they don't know the reason why, neither.

How do people from other countries calculate age?

Any explanation is welcomed.

Tep Sakmakara · Accepted Answer

I think the most logical way to calculate the age is to using the present date to minus the birth date. Just like what you mentioned above. In fact, in my country, like your country, old people like to calculate the age based on Zodiac sign, leading to 1 year older. For example, I was born in the year of the dragon. According to Cambodian zodiac, now it is the year of the rabbit. Therefore, now I should be 24 years old. However, based on Chinese zodiac, I'm 25.

I am not good at explaining. Hope you can understand my explanation.

Sally-txl · Answer

Wow, thank you for your explanation. Very clear.
So nice to know about the Zodiac of your country.

Ban Mai Xanh · Answer

Sally-txlI am Chinese. At the family reunion dinner, my family member told me that I am 25 years old now. It shocked me as I don't understand how they calculate my age. I was born in Oct.2, 1988, so to calculate my age I just use 2012 minus 1988 and 24 left . As my birthday in 2012 is not coming yet , I would tell others that I am 23 years old. But my family member always like to add another two years old to my age every Chinese New Year, which always puzzles me a lot.When asked what theory it was based on when they count my age as such, they usually answer that we should follow our tradition. Actually they don't know the reason why, neither.

hi Sally, in my country people calculate age the same way as in your family member, use 2012 minus 1988 and adding 1 year, this 1 year is the time you stay in your mother's belly (in fact is 9 months and 10 days)

but now most of young people don't add this one year because it sounds more younger

Marcelo16bo · Answer

hehe this is something I didn't knew, It's interesting to learn more about cultures around the world.

Willowow · Answer

Hi, im Japanese-girl.

Im really interested in your post. You mean, if there is the Chinese baby born in Dec.31, he or she will be 1 years old next day.
In my country, we caliculate the age like you thought.

Oh, but, in Japan, the school year begins on April1st and ends on March 31st of the following year. So, whether you born in April 1st or April 2nd controls which school year you should go.

Really interesting topic!

CMFletcher · Answer

In western countries, like Australia where I'm from, it's the current year minus your birth year.

If you were born in 1988 and it's 2012 now, then you're 24.

How do you calculate your age ?

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions