How to Say “I’m twenty years old” in Korean: 스무 살이에요

스무 살이에요

seumu sarieyo

Situation: Introductions & meeting peopleLevel: Starter (just learning Hangul)

Meaning

I’m twenty years old.

Age uses native Korean numbers plus 살. 스물 (twenty) becomes 스무 before 살. Try replacing it with your own age.

Romanization follows the Revised Romanization system and is a guide to pronunciation.

Syllables: 6 · Words: 2

Said aloud, it sounds like [스무 사리에요].

Syllable	Letters (consonant + vowel + final)	Romanization
스무
스	ㅅ+ㅡ	seu
무	ㅁ+ㅜ	mu
살이에요
살	ㅅ+ㅏ+ㄹ	[사] sa
이	ㅇ+ㅣ	[리] ri
에	ㅇ+ㅔ	e
요	ㅇ+ㅛ	yo

A ㅇ at the start of a syllable is silent; at the end of a syllable it sounds like “ng”.

Linking: when a syllable ending in a consonant (patchim) is followed by a syllable that starts with a vowel, the consonant moves over to the next syllable. 살이 → [사리]

Style: Polite (해요체)Sentence type: Statement or set phrase

Ends in -요. The everyday polite style, and a safe choice with shop staff, colleagues, strangers and anyone older than you.

Test yourself before you move on. Tap an answer.

Question 1 What does “스무 살이에요” mean?

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Answer: I’m twenty years old

Question 2 How do you say “I’m twenty years old” in Korean?

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Answer: 스무 살이에요 seumu sarieyo

Question 3 How is “스무 살이에요” pronounced?

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Answer: [스무 사리에요]

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