你几岁？
nǐ jǐ suì?
How old are you? In Chinese is translated as 你几岁？ (nǐ jǐ suì?)
This phrase is used specifically to ask about the age of a child.
What does it mean word for word?
The component 岁 means years of age or years old.
Which one should you use?
You should only use 你几岁？ when addressing a child. For a peer or an adult, the standard way to ask is 你多大了？ Using 你几岁？ when speaking to an adult can be perceived as condescending or impolite.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase 你几岁？, you do not need to add the question particle 'ma' because the word 几 (how many) already makes the sentence a question.
How do you pronounce it?
nǐ jǐ suì?
Did you know?
- In Chinese culture, age is often calculated using the 'nominal age' system, where a child is considered one year old at birth. This counts the time spent in the womb as the first year of life.
- When asking a very elderly person their age, it is customary to use the honorific 您 instead of 你 and a specific phrase like 您高寿？ which translates to 'what is your high longevity?'
- In many Chinese social settings, it is common to ask for someone's age immediately upon meeting. This is not meant to be intrusive but is a way to determine the correct level of politeness and honorifics to use.
Examples in context
- 请问您多大了？May I ask how old you are?
- 你几岁了？How old are you?
- 你今年几岁？How old are you this year?
- 小朋友，你几岁？Xiǎopéngyǒu, nǐ jǐ suì?Little one, how old are you?
- 妹妹，你几岁？Mèimei, nǐ jǐ suì?Little girl, how old are you?
Example conversation
Junjie is playing with a young girl named Zihan in the park.
- 俊杰 Junjie你好，你几岁？Nǐ hǎo, nǐ jǐ suì?Hello, how old are you?
- 梓涵 Zihan我四岁了。Wǒ sì suì le.I am four years old.
- 俊杰 Junjie你真可爱。Nǐ zhēn kě'ài.You are so cute.
- 梓涵 Zihan谢谢哥哥。Xièxiè gēge.Thank you, big brother.
