To be old in Korean 🇰🇷

늙다 info.

Tips to Remember the Word:
• Associate “늙다” (neulgda) with the image of aging. You might think of the sound “neul” as a shortening of “old” in English if you imagine “new” turning into “old” over time.
• Note that although “늙다” means “to be old” or “to grow old,” it is typically used for living beings, often with a slightly negative or blunt tone.

Explanations:
• “늙다” is a basic Korean verb meaning “to age” or “to become old.” It is often used as an intransitive verb.
• The word is somewhat less formal and can sound blunt; for more polite or neutral expressions, alternatives like “나이 들다” (nai deulda) are sometimes used.

Other Words with a Similar Meaning:
• 나이 들다 (nai deulda) – "to get older" (a more neutral expression)
• 연세 드시다 (yeonse deusida) – "to grow old" (honorific form often used for elders)

Conjugations for “늙다”:
• Dictionary Form (Infinitive): 늙다 (neulgda)

Present Tense:
 – Informal Low: 늙어 (neulgeo)
 – Formal Narrative: 늙는다 (neulgneunda)
 – Polite Informal: 늙어요 (neulgeoyo)

Past Tense:
 – Informal Low: 늙었어 (neulgeosseo)
 – Formal Narrative: 늙었다 (neulg-eotda)
 – Polite Informal: 늙었어요 (neulgeosseoyo)

Future Tense:
 – Informal Low: 늙을 거야 (neulgeul geoya)
 – Formal Narrative: 늙을 것이다 (neulgeul geosida)
 – Polite Informal: 늙을 거예요 (neulgeul geoyeyo)

Example Sentences:
1. 그는 점점 늙어가고 있다.
 Romanized: Geuneun jeomjeom neulgeogago itda.
 Translation: He is gradually growing old.

2. 내 할아버지는 많이 늙었어요.
 Romanized: Nae harabeojineun manhi neulgeosseoyo.
 Translation: My grandfather has become quite old.

3. 시간이 지나면 우리 모두 늙을 거예요.
 Romanized: Sigani jinamyeon uri modu neulgeul geoyeyo.
 Translation: As time passes, we will all grow old.

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