Knowing how to express someone’s age in Spanish is an essential skill when engaging in conversations or building relationships. In this comprehensive guide, you will find helpful tips, examples, and various ways to say ages in Spanish, both formally and informally. Whether you’re just starting to learn Spanish or want to expand your vocabulary, this guide will provide you with the necessary knowledge!
Table of Contents
1. Formal Ways to Say Ages in Spanish
When addressing someone formally or using more polite language, choosing the correct form to express their age is crucial. Here are some formal phrases you can use:
- “¿Cuántos años tiene usted?” – This phrase translates to “How old are you?” It is a respectful way to inquire about someone’s age when speaking to them with deference, such as an older person or someone of higher social status.
- “¿Cuántos años lleva?” – This phrase means “How many years have you lived?” It is another polite way to ask someone’s age and is commonly used in more formal situations.
- “¿Cuál es su edad?” – Translated as “What is your age?” this is a formal and respectful way to ask someone about their age in Spanish. It is suitable for professional settings or when you want to maintain a formal tone in conversations.
2. Informal Ways to Say Ages in Spanish
In relaxed and informal contexts, such as conversations among friends or peers, you can use more casual expressions to ask about someone’s age. Here are some commonly used phrases:
- “¿Cuántos años tienes?” – This phrase is the informal equivalent of “How old are you?” It is used when addressing someone you are familiar with or someone of a similar age as you. It is the most standard and widely accepted way to ask someone’s age among friends and acquaintances.
- “¿Cuántos años cumples?” – This phrase can be translated as “How many years are you turning?” It is commonly used when referring to someone’s upcoming birthday or when conversing casually with friends or family members.
- “¿Cuántos años llevas?” – Similar to the formal version mentioned earlier, this phrase is used informally and translates to “How many years have you lived?” It is a more relaxed way to ask about someone’s age, suitable for friendly conversations.
3. Age Ranges in Spanish
To express age ranges in Spanish, you can use the following phrases:
“Unos pocos años” – This phrase means “a few years.” It is frequently used when you want to provide a vague approximation of someone’s age without being too specific.
“Veintitantos años” – This expression is used to indicate someone’s age is around their twenties. It literally means “twenty-something years.”
“Más de treinta años” – Translated as “more than thirty years,” this phrase is employed to give a general idea of someone being over thirty years old.
4. Additional Tips and Examples
– When discussing ages, it is common to use the verb “tener” (to have). For example, “Tengo 25 años” means “I am 25 years old.” However, when asking about someone’s age, it is more common to use forms of the verb “ser” (to be) or phrases like those mentioned above. – Keep in mind that in Spanish-speaking countries, it is considered impolite to ask older people about their age directly, especially if they are not close friends or family members.
Here are some examples of how to say different ages in Spanish:
– 20 years old: “Veinte años” – 35 years old: “Treinta y cinco años” – 50 years old: “Cincuenta años” – 68 years old: “Sesenta y ocho años” – A few years: “Unos pocos años” – Around thirty: “Alrededor de treinta”
Remember, when practicing your Spanish skills, it’s essential to be respectful and adapt your speech to the formality of the situation or the person you’re speaking with. The provided phrases and examples should give you a solid understanding of how to inquire about and express ages in Spanish.
¡Buena suerte! (Good luck!)
