何歳ですか？
The Japanese phrase for "how old are you?" is 何歳ですか？
The term 何歳 specifically means "how old". While you can use 何歳ですか？ to ask someone's age, be aware that asking someone's age directly can be considered impolite in Japanese culture if you do not have a close relationship with them.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 何歳 is composed of 何, meaning "what" and 歳, meaning "years old".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
There are different levels of politeness when asking this question. おいくつですか？ is a more polite and respectful way to ask someone's age than 何歳ですか？ Additionally, ご年齢はいくつですか is a slightly more formal way to ask someone's age.
How does it change in a sentence?
The counter 歳 is attached to numbers to express age, such as 五歳 for five years old.
When do people say it?
Asking someone's age directly can be considered impolite in Japanese culture if you do not have a close relationship with them.
Did you know?
- In Japan, a person is traditionally considered one year old at birth because the time spent in the womb is counted as the first year. Although the Western system is now standard, some older people may still count their age using this traditional method.
- The character 歳 used in 何歳 is a complex kanji that is often simplified to 才 in casual writing or much younger children's books. Although 才 is easier to write, it is technically a different character meaning 'talent' or 'ability'.
- In some contexts, rather than asking 何歳ですか？, Japanese people might ask about someone's 'generation' or 'era' to subtly gauge their age without being direct. This avoids the social awkwardness of the direct question.
Examples in context
- すみません、失礼ですが何歳ですか？sumimasen, shitsurei desu ga nansai desu ka?Excuse me, if I may ask, how old are you?
- お子さんは今、何歳ですか？okosan wa ima, nansai desu ka?How old is your child now?
- その猫は今、何歳ですか？sono neko wa ima, nansai desu ka?How old is that cat?
Example conversation
Kenta and Misaki are meeting for the first time at a social gathering.
- 健太 Kenta美咲さんは何歳ですか？misaki-san wa nansai desu ka?How old are you, Misaki?
- 美咲 Misaki二十歳です。hatachi desu.I am twenty years old.
- 健太 Kentaそうなんですね！sou nan desu ne!Is that so!
- 美咲 Misaki健太さんは？kenta-san wa?And you, Kenta?
