What is my Chinese age?

[AbovetheLAW]

Ok, I have searched this forum for this but I could not find it. I am sorry if this post is redundant but I have to know.

The other day my girlfriend was trying to explain to me that she has an American age and also a Chinese age. She told me that her American age is 25 but her Chinese age is 27....What!? So she then went on to explain that in China they start out at the age of 1 when they are born then they again another year after the Chinese New Year. I was telling her that this (logically) makes no sense as the term 'years old' is just as it implies.

I then asked her if I was born in China would I be 32 right now? She said no I would be 31. I was trying to inquire as to why she gains 2 years in Chinese age customs and I only 1, but she just kept saying 'its very complicated and I wouldnt understand. Can anyone that has knowledge of this clarify?

[Robertt S]

The Chinese count the age starting from the birth, every Chinese lunar year which you will traverse count for one year more however your month of birth.
A baby born on December 24, 2013, for example, will be 2 years old on January 1, 2014, because it will have traversed 2 years 2013 and 2014, whereas its Gregorian age is one week.
In the final analysis, you will always have a year even 2 years more in Chinese age in Chinese lunar calendar than your Gregorian age in solar calendar.

http://www.est-direct.com/china/cncaps.php?lang=en

[AbovetheLAW]

Ahh ok, that makes sense now.

[Willy The Londoner]

Ok dash it! Thanks for making me even older that I think I am. Mind you I think my body has already become attuned to its new Chinese age.

Willy

[Robertt S]

Willy,

Try this calculator, it should make you feel real chipper afterwards!

http://www.kwebbel.net/dog/engels.html

[shaun]

Willy,

It think the Chinese calculation doesn't go that high.  Besides when you are your age what is a century or two?

[Willy The Londoner]

Thanks Shaun. Local ladies call me 'If' .

I now found out that this refers to the fact that they look at me and then think of my age and then think  ' I wonder if....'

Not sure what the punch line might be.....

Willy

[brett]

This confused me when I started using Chnlove - they seemed to display Chinese ladies' ages using the Chinese system.

[RobertBfrom aust]

Ha , and while you are all confused my darling had a funnier problem , she was born on what is our 30 th of Febuary , so the ROC passport people just reversed it to 03 of Feb , she is happy cos she is younger and it didn't confuse Western passport standards , but I would have liked to see their faces had they left it ha ha , regards Sujuan and Robert , oh and by the way , this year she celabrated her birthday in the 15 th of April and please do not ask me why .

[Pineau]

Why?

[Willy The Londoner]

My wife was born on the 14th of February according to her passport, drivers licence and wedding book. Yet she and her family celebrates her birthday on 23rd March.

I wonder if it would have confused the Chinese if she was actually born on the 14th February?

Willy

[fivetrout]

Besides that! Hong tells me there's an error on her ID of 2 years. She doesn't want it corrected as she will retire two years sooner because of it! I of course will worry that is will be found out and cause BIG problems later!

[Vince G]

Fivetrout when the problem arises just do a Sgt. Schultz  "I know nothing!"

[Robertt S]

Besides that! Hong tells me there's an error on her ID of 2 years. She doesn't want it corrected as she will retire two years sooner because of it! I of course will worry that is will be found out and cause BIG problems later!

Most definitely, she will be required to produce a certified, translated, and notarized birth certificate, divorce papers, marriage certificates, custody papers and police report during the immigration process. Any discrepancies in these documents could be discovered at that time and could potentially lead to a boat-load of problems and delays in immigration. The process is long enough without added delays!

[Vince G]

I was not making fun of the situation as much as giving a hint. This is something only she can fix and must.