hoe oud ben je?
The English phrase "how old are you?" is translated into Dutch as hoe oud ben je?
This phrase is a question used to ask someone about their age.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of hoe (how), oud (old), ben (am/are) and je (you).
Which one should you use?
While hoe oud ben je? is the standard informal way to ask, you can use hoe oud ben jij? to add emphasis to the person you are asking. In formal situations, you should use Hoe oud bent u?
Is it said differently in some regions?
The variation Hoe oud bende? is used in parts of Brabant and Limburg in the Netherlands.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb ben (am/are) must agree with the singular subject je (you). Replacing the unstressed je with the stressed jij in the phrase hoe oud ben jij? adds emphasis to the subject.
Did you know?
- If a Dutch person answers Ik ben oud in response to Hoe oud ben je?, they are likely using irony or humor to avoid giving a specific number.
- While asking someone's age is common in many cultures, in the Netherlands, it is often considered quite personal to ask this of an adult you have just met.
- The Dutch word oud shares a deep prehistoric root with the English word 'old', both originating from the Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'grow' or 'nourish'.
Examples in context
- Pardon, maar mag ik vragen hoe oud u bent?Excuse me, may I ask how old you are?
- Ik ben twintig jaar oud.I am twenty years old.
- Hoe oud ben je?How old are you?
- Ik ben benieuwd, hoe oud ben je?I am curious, how old are you?
- Sorry, maar hoe oud ben je?Sorry, but how old are you?
Example conversation
Julia and Noah meet for the first time at a party.
- JuliaHoi, ik ben Julia. Hoe oud ben je?Hi, I am Julia. How old are you?
- NoahHoi Julia, ik ben Noah en ik ben twintig.Hi Julia, I am Noah and I am twenty.
- JuliaIk ben ook twintig jaar oud!I am twenty years old too!
- NoahWat leuk, we zijn precies dezelfde leeftijd.How nice, we are exactly the same age.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ben, hoe, oud, CC BY-SA 4.0.
