Greetings! If you’re eager to learn how to ask someone’s age in Hebrew, you’ve come to the right place. Asking someone about their age is a common conversation starter and a way to get to know someone better. In Hebrew, there are both formal and informal ways to ask this question. Additionally, while Hebrew is mainly spoken in Israel, it’s worth mentioning any regional variations when it comes to age-related phrases.
Table of Contents
1. Asking Informally: מָה הַגִּיל שֶׁלֶּךְ? (Mah hagil shelcha?)
If you are speaking to a friend, classmate, or someone closer in age, you can use the informal way to ask their age in Hebrew. In this case, you would say, “מָה הַגִּיל שֶׁלֶּךְ?” (Mah hagil shelcha?), which translates to “What is your age?” Here, “שֶׁלֶּךְ” (shelcha) means “your” when talking to a female. If you’re addressing a male, you should use “שֶׁלְּךָ” (shelcha).
Example:
You: מָה הַגִּיל שֶׁלֶּךְ?
Friend: אֲנִי תֵּשַׁע.
Translation:
You: How old are you?
Friend: I am nine years old.
2. Asking Formally: מָה הַגִּיל שֶׁלְּךָ? (Mah hagil shelcha?)
In more formal situations or when speaking to someone older or unfamiliar, you should use the formal way of addressing someone. Instead of “מָה הַגִּיל שֶׁלֶּךְ?” (Mah hagil shelcha?), you would say “מָה הַגִּיל שֶׁלְּךָ?” (Mah hagil shelcha?) while addressing a male, and “מָה הַגִּיל שֶׁלֵּךְ?” (Mah hagil shelchah?) while addressing a female.
Example:
You: מָה הַגִּיל שֶׁלְּךָ?
Acquaintance: אֲנִי עָשָׂרִים וְשָׁשׁ.
Translation:
You: How old are you?
Acquaintance: I am twenty-six years old.
Regional Variations
While Hebrew is mainly spoken in Israel, there might be slight regional variations when asking someone’s age. For instance, in some areas, people might use local dialects or variations in expressions for this question. However, it is essential to note that the difference in interpretation is quite minimal when it comes to age-related phrases. Therefore, the examples mentioned above can be universally used across various regions in Israel.
Useful Tips for Saying Age in Hebrew:
Now that you know how to ask someone’s age in Hebrew formally and informally, here are a few additional tips to help you navigate age-related conversations:
- Respect personal boundaries: In Hebrew culture, some people may be sensitive about discussing their age, especially in formal settings. Be considerate and only ask if appropriate.
- Learn the numbers: Familiarize yourself with the Hebrew numbers to understand the responses you receive when asking about age.
- Be prepared to respond: If you ask someone about their age, they may follow up by asking about yours. It’s helpful to know how to respond politely.
Above all, remember that age is just a number, and building connections is more important than knowing the exact age of someone. Now you can confidently start conversations and deepen your relationships while speaking Hebrew! Enjoy your language learning journey!
