年齡
nin4 ling4
In Cantonese, 'age' is expressed as 年齡 (nin4 ling4).
The term refers to the amount of time since the birth of a being or the beginning of a thing. You can use 年齡組別 to refer specifically to an age group or a demographic. To state how old you are, you can use the structure 我_歲。 (I am _ years old) or 今年我_歲。 (I am _ years old this year).
Meaning: amount of time since the birth of a being or the beginning of a thing (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 年齡 is composed of 年, meaning year and 齡, meaning age or years of age.
Which one should you use?
While 年齡 is the standard term, the word 歲數 is a more colloquial way to refer to someone's age when speaking Cantonese.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
年齡 is a formal term, commonly used in written documents, news reports or official contexts.
How do you pronounce it?
nin4 ling4
Did you know?
- In traditional East Asian age reckoning, a person is considered one year old at birth, as the time spent in the womb is counted.
- While 年齡 is the formal term for age, if you are asking an elder about their age out of respect, you might use the term 高壽 instead.
- When discussing a person's 'age' in the context of a milestone, such as a 60th birthday, Cantonese speakers often refer to it as 'completing a cycle' of the zodiac.
Examples in context
- 我今年已經三十歲。I am 30 years old this year.
- 你好年輕啊！You look so young!
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a new gym membership requirement.
- 子健 Tsz Kin呢間健身房對年齡有要求嗎？nei1 gaan1 gin6 san1 fong2 deoi3 nin4 ling4 jau5 jiu1 kau4 maa1?Does this gym have any age requirements?
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung係呀，佢哋要求會員年齡要滿十八歲。hai6 aa3, keoi5 dei6 jiu1 kau4 wui4 jyun4 nin4 ling4 jiu3 mun5 sap6 baat3 seoi3.Yes, they require members to be eighteen years old.
- 子健 Tsz Kin咁就好，我哋兩個都符合條件。gam2 zau6 hou2, ngo5 dei6 loeng2 go3 dou1 fu4 hap6 tiu4 gin3.That's good, both of us meet the criteria.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung係，我哋而家就去申請吧。hai6, ngo5 dei6 ji4 gaa1 zau6 heoi3 san1 cing2 baa1.Yes, let's go apply now.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
