Taiwan's Quirky Age Code: "What Grade Are You?"

If you ever chat with a Taiwanese friend, you might hear them say something like, “I’m a fifth grader,” or “I’m a seventh grader.” But wait a minute! These are fully grown adults, not kids in school. So what is going on here?

In Taiwan, saying “I’m a sixth grader” has nothing to do with elementary school. It is a playful way to tell you when they were born, using Taiwan’s own calendar system, the Republic of China calendar.

The Republic of China calendar started in 1912, the founding year of the Republic of China. Each year adds to this count. So:

·   A “fifth grader” is someone born in the 50s of the RoC calendar (1961 to 1970)

·   A “sixth grader” was born in the 60s of the RoC calendar (1971 to 1980)

·   A “seventh grader” arrived in the 70s of the RoC calendar (1981 to 1990)

How did this term begin and why is it so fun?
It started as a quick and easy way to identify which generation you belong to. In Taiwan, pop culture, trends and even slang can be tied to when you were born. Instead of rattling off your exact birth year, you just say, “I’m a sixth grader!” and everyone knows: Ah, you probably grew up watching that robot anime or you probably remember the days of cassette tapes and Walkmans.

It is like an instant icebreaker. Imagine meeting someone new and within seconds you are bonding over which version of Ultraman you watched or which street snacks you bought after school. It is way more fun than just saying, “I was born in 1975.”

How does this term build bonds?

These “grade” labels do more than pinpoint your birth decade. They instantly create a shared sense of identity. Two strangers might discover they are both seventh graders and suddenly find themselves swapping childhood stories, from TV shows to playground games. It is like a secret handshake, a quick way to connect, laugh and realize how much you have in common. This system creates an immediate sense of belonging.

So if you are in Taiwan and hear someone in their forties proudly say they are a “sixth grader,” do not be shocked. They are not telling you they are still in elementary school. They are just sharing a little piece of generational identity. It is a fun part of Taiwanese culture that brings people closer and makes conversations way more interesting.

And here is a tip: if you, as a foreigner, introduce yourself to a Taiwanese friend this way, you will definitely make them do a double take in a good way. It is such a deeply Taiwanese habit that they will be impressed and see you in a whole new light.