Understanding “Active Senior” in Korean

The term “액티브시니어” (aek-ti-beu-si-ni-eo) is a relatively new Konglish (Korean-style English) word used in South Korea to describe a specific demographic of older adults. This guide explains the meaning of “액티브시니어” and provides related vocabulary and expressions to discuss this concept, reflecting the changing perception of aging in modern Korean society. You’ll learn how to talk about active seniors, their lifestyles, and related cultural points.

Core Expression

• Expression: 액티브시니어
  Pronunciation: aek-ti-beu-si-ni-eo
  Meaning: Active Senior (A loanword referring to seniors, typically retired, who are healthy, financially stable, socially engaged, and actively pursue leisure, learning, or even part-time work.)

Related Terms

This section covers general terms for seniors and concepts related to the active senior lifestyle.

• Expression: 노인
  Pronunciation: no-in
  Meaning: Elderly person (A general, neutral term)

• Expression: 어르신
  Pronunciation: eo-reu-sin
  Meaning: Respected elder (A polite and respectful term)

• Expression: 시니어
  Pronunciation: si-ni-eo
  Meaning: Senior (A loanword, often used in marketing or formal contexts)

• Expression: 은퇴자
  Pronunciation: eun-toe-ja
  Meaning: Retiree

• Expression: 고령자
  Pronunciation: go-ryeong-ja
  Meaning: Aged person (A more formal term, often used in statistics or official documents)

• Expression: 황혼
  Pronunciation: hwang-hon
  Meaning: Twilight (Often used metaphorically to refer to the later years of life)

• Expression: 제2의 인생
  Pronunciation: je-i-ui in-saeng
  Meaning: Second life (Referring to life after retirement, emphasizing new beginnings)

• Expression: 건강 관리
  Pronunciation: geon-gang gwal-li
  Meaning: Health management

• Expression: 여가 활동
  Pronunciation: yeo-ga hwal-dong
  Meaning: Leisure activities

• Expression: 사회 참여
  Pronunciation: sa-hoe cham-yeo
  Meaning: Social participation

• Expression: 경제 활동
  Pronunciation: gyeong-je hwal-dong
  Meaning: Economic activity

• Expression: 자기 계발
  Pronunciation: ja-gi gye-bal
  Meaning: Self-development

Describing Active Seniors

Use these phrases to talk about the characteristics and activities common among active seniors in Korea.

• Expression: 액티브시니어는 건강하고 활동적입니다.
  Pronunciation: aek-ti-beu-si-ni-eo-neun geon-gang-ha-go hwal-dong-jeok-im-ni-da.
  Meaning: Active seniors are healthy and active.

• Expression: 그들은 여가 활동을 즐깁니다.
  Pronunciation: geu-deul-eun yeo-ga hwal-dong-eul jeul-gim-ni-da.
  Meaning: They enjoy leisure activities.

• Expression: 많은 액티브시니어들이 여행을 좋아합니다.
  Pronunciation: ma-neun aek-ti-beu-si-ni-eo-deul-i yeo-haeng-eul jo-a-ham-ni-da.
  Meaning: Many active seniors like to travel.

• Expression: 그들은 새로운 것을 배우는 데 관심이 많습니다.
  Pronunciation: geu-deul-eun sae-ro-un geos-eul bae-u-neun de gwan-sim-i man-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: They are very interested in learning new things.

• Expression: 일부 액티브시니어는 은퇴 후에도 계속 일합니다.
  Pronunciation: il-bu aek-ti-beu-si-ni-eo-neun eun-toe hu-e-do gye-sok il-ham-ni-da.
  Meaning: Some active seniors continue to work even after retirement.

• Expression: 그들은 자원봉사 활동에 참여하기도 합니다.
  Pronunciation: geu-deul-eun ja-won-bong-sa hwal-dong-e cham-yeo-ha-gi-do ham-ni-da.
  Meaning: They also participate in volunteer activities.

• Expression: 액티브시니어는 경제적으로 여유가 있는 경우가 많습니다.
  Pronunciation: aek-ti-beu-si-ni-eo-neun gyeong-je-jeok-eu-ro yeo-yu-ga it-neun gyeong-u-ga man-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: Active seniors often have financial stability.

• Expression: 그들은 디지털 기기 사용에도 능숙합니다.
  Pronunciation: geu-deul-eun di-ji-teol gi-gi sa-yong-e-do neung-suk-ham-ni-da.
  Meaning: They are also proficient in using digital devices.

• Expression: 액티브시니어는 사회적으로 활발하게 교류합니다.
  Pronunciation: aek-ti-beu-si-ni-eo-neun sa-hoe-jeok-eu-ro hwal-bal-ha-ge gyo-ryu-ham-ni-da.
  Meaning: Active seniors actively engage socially.

• Expression: 그들은 자신의 건강 관리에 신경 씁니다.
  Pronunciation: geu-deul-eun ja-sin-ui geon-gang gwal-li-e sin-gyeong sseum-ni-da.
  Meaning: They pay attention to their health management.

• Expression: 액티브시니어 시장은 성장하고 있습니다.
  Pronunciation: aek-ti-beu-si-ni-eo si-jang-eun seong-jang-ha-go it-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: The active senior market is growing.

• Expression: 그들은 자기 계발에 힘씁니다.
  Pronunciation: geu-deul-eun ja-gi gye-bal-e him-sseum-ni-da.
  Meaning: They strive for self-development.

Talking About Future Plans and Retirement

These expressions are useful when discussing retirement plans or the aspirations often associated with the “active senior” phase of life.

• Expression: 은퇴 후에 무엇을 하고 싶으세요?
  Pronunciation: eun-toe hu-e mu-eos-eul ha-go si-peu-se-yo?
  Meaning: What do you want to do after retirement?

• Expression: 저는 여행을 많이 다니고 싶어요.
  Pronunciation: jeo-neun yeo-haeng-eul ma-ni da-ni-go si-peo-yo.
  Meaning: I want to travel a lot.

• Expression: 새로운 취미를 배우고 싶습니다.
  Pronunciation: sae-ro-un chwi-mi-reul bae-u-go sip-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: I want to learn a new hobby.

• Expression: 건강하게 오래 살고 싶어요.
  Pronunciation: geon-gang-ha-ge o-rae sal-go si-peo-yo.
  Meaning: I want to live a long and healthy life.

• Expression: 가족들과 더 많은 시간을 보내고 싶습니다.
  Pronunciation: ga-jok-deul-gwa deo ma-neun si-gan-eul bo-nae-go sip-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: I want to spend more time with my family.

• Expression: 사회에 기여하는 활동을 하고 싶어요.
  Pronunciation: sa-hoe-e gi-yeo-ha-neun hwal-dong-eul ha-go si-peo-yo.
  Meaning: I want to do activities that contribute to society.

• Expression: 저는 계속 일하고 싶습니다.
  Pronunciation: jeo-neun gye-sok il-ha-go sip-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: I want to continue working.

• Expression: 손주들을 돌보는 것이 즐겁습니다.
  Pronunciation: son-ju-deul-eul dol-bo-neun geos-i jeul-geop-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: Taking care of grandchildren is enjoyable.

• Expression: 조용한 시골에서 살고 싶어요.
  Pronunciation: jo-yong-han si-gol-e-seo sal-go si-peo-yo.
  Meaning: I want to live in the quiet countryside.

• Expression: 친구들과 자주 만나고 싶습니다.
  Pronunciation: chin-gu-deul-gwa ja-ju man-na-go sip-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: I want to meet friends often.

• Expression: 제2의 인생을 즐기고 싶어요.
  Pronunciation: je-i-ui in-saeng-eul jeul-gi-go si-peo-yo.
  Meaning: I want to enjoy my second life.

• Expression: 은퇴 준비는 잘 되어가세요?
  Pronunciation: eun-toe jun-bi-neun jal doe-eo-ga-se-yo?
  Meaning: Are your retirement preparations going well?

Korean Culture Notes

Understanding the cultural context enhances language learning.

• Shifting Perceptions: While traditional Confucian values emphasize deep respect for elders (경로사상 – gyeong-no-sa-sang), the concept of “액티브시니어” reflects a modern shift. It acknowledges seniors not just as elders deserving respect but as active consumers and participants in society.
• Economic Power: Active seniors are recognized as an important consumer group with significant purchasing power, particularly in areas like healthcare, travel, leisure, and continuing education. Businesses actively market products and services tailored to them.
• Focus on Well-being: There’s a growing societal emphasis on healthy aging. Active seniors often prioritize health management, exercise, and mental stimulation through learning or hobbies.
• Lifelong Learning: Many community centers (문화센터 – mun-hwa-sen-teo) and universities offer programs specifically for seniors, covering topics from technology and languages to arts and crafts, reflecting a desire for continued self-improvement.
• Social Engagement: With changing family structures, many seniors actively seek social connections through clubs (동호회 – dong-ho-hoe), volunteer work, or community activities rather than relying solely on family.

Real Conversation Example

This dialogue illustrates how the term “액티브시니어” might be used in a natural conversation.

• Situation: Two friends, Minji (A) and Sora (B), are catching up and talking about Minji’s recently retired father.
• Role A: Minji, whose father embodies the “active senior” lifestyle.

• Role B: Sora, asking about Minji’s father after his retirement.

• Expression: A: 저희 아버지가 드디어 은퇴하셨어요.
  Pronunciation: jeo-hui a-beo-ji-ga deu-di-eo eun-toe-ha-syeoss-eo-yo.
  Meaning: My father finally retired.

• Expression: B: 아, 그러세요? 이제 좀 쉬시겠네요. 아버님은 연세가 어떻게 되세요?
  Pronunciation: a, geu-reo-se-yo? i-je jom swi-si-gen-ne-yo. a-beo-nim-eun yeon-se-ga eo-tteo-ke doe-se-yo?
  Meaning: Oh, really? He can rest a bit now. How old is your father?

• Expression: A: 예순 다섯이신데, 쉬시기는요. 완전 액티브시니어세요.
  Pronunciation: ye-sun da-seos-i-sin-de, swi-si-gi-neun-yo. wan-jeon aek-ti-beu-si-ni-eo-se-yo.
  Meaning: He’s sixty-five, but resting? Not at all. He’s a total active senior.

• Expression: B: 정말요? 뭘 하시는데요? 여가 활동을 많이 하시나 봐요.
  Pronunciation: jeong-mal-lyo? mwol ha-sin-de-yo? yeo-ga hwal-dong-eul ma-ni ha-si-na bwa-yo.
  Meaning: Really? What does he do? It seems like he does a lot of leisure activities.

• Expression: A: 매일 아침 운동하시고, 오후에는 문화센터에서 사진을 배우세요. 주말에는 등산 동호회도 나가시고요. 저희보다 더 바쁘세요.
  Pronunciation: mae-il a-chim un-dong-ha-si-go, o-hu-e-neun mun-hwa-sen-teo-e-seo sa-jin-eul bae-u-se-yo. ju-mal-e-neun deung-san dong-ho-hoe-do na-ga-si-go-yo. jeo-hui-bo-da deo ba-ppeu-se-yo.
  Meaning: He exercises every morning, and in the afternoon, he learns photography at the community center. On weekends, he also goes to a hiking club. He’s busier than us.

• Expression: B: 와, 정말 활동적이시네요! 건강 관리도 잘 하시는군요. 제2의 인생을 제대로 즐기시는 것 같아요.
  Pronunciation: wa, jeong-mal hwal-dong-jeok-i-si-ne-yo! geon-gang gwal-li-do jal ha-si-neun-gun-yo. je-i-ui in-saeng-eul je-dae-ro jeul-gi-si-neun geot ga-ta-yo.
  Meaning: Wow, he’s really active! He manages his health well too. It seems like he’s truly enjoying his second life.

• Expression: A: 네, 보기 좋아요. 덕분에 저희도 자극받아요.
  Pronunciation: ne, bo-gi jo-a-yo. deok-bun-e jeo-hui-do ja-geuk-ba-da-yo.
  Meaning: Yes, it’s nice to see. Thanks to him, we get motivated too.

• Expression: B: 부럽네요. 저희 부모님께도 그런 활동을 추천해 드려야겠어요.
  Pronunciation: bu-reom-ne-yo. jeo-hui bu-mo-nim-kke-do geu-reon hwal-dong-eul chu-cheon-hae deu-ryeo-ya-gess-eo-yo.
  Meaning: I’m envious. I should recommend activities like that to my parents too.

Practice Tips

Now it’s time to use what you’ve learned!~

• Think about older adults you know – are any of them “액티브시니어”? Try describing their activities in Korean using the phrases from this guide.
• Practice talking about your own hopes or plans for later life using expressions like “은퇴 후에 ~고 싶어요” (eun-toe hu-e ~go si-peo-yo – After retirement, I want to…).
• Listen carefully to the pronunciation, breaking each word down syllable by syllable: aek-ti-beu-si-ni-eo!
• Search online for news articles or blog posts using the term “액티브시니어” to see how it’s used in real-world contexts in Korea.

Keep practicing, and you’ll become more comfortable discussing this interesting social trend in Korean!