quel âge
The English phrase "how old" is translated into French as quel âge.
quel âge is used to ask about the age of a person or thing.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase quel âge literally translates to "what age".
How does it change in a sentence?
In French, you use the verb avoir (to have) to express age, whereas English uses the verb "to be". Additionally, when using inversion in a formal question, a t is inserted between the verb and the pronoun if the verb ends in a vowel to aid pronunciation.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use the verb être (to be) when asking or stating age, but avoir must be used.
Did you know?
- In many French-speaking cultures, asking a woman quel âge can be considered quite impolite or overly intrusive unless you are close friends. It is often safer to use more indirect ways to discuss time or maturity.
- In very formal or poetic French, asking about age can involve the term âge mûr, which translates to 'ripe age' to describe middle age.
- While quel âge is used for people, French uses the term ancienneté when asking about the 'age' or seniority of an employee in a professional company setting.
Examples in context
- Tu as quel âge ?How old are you?This sentence shows a relaxed way to ask someone's age using quel âge.Tatoeba #688288 by Micsmithel, translation #436243 by lukaszpp
- Quel âge a Tom ?How old is Tom?This sentence demonstrates how to ask the age of a third person using quel âge.Tatoeba #6856720 by GB3, translation #2261908 by CK
- Quel âge a Tony ?How old is Tony?This sentence provides another example of asking a third person's age using quel âge.Tatoeba #12900 by mouche, translation #37696 by CN
- Excusez-moi, madame. Quel âge avez-vous ?Excuse me, ma'am. How old are you?
- Pardon, monsieur. Pourriez-vous me dire votre âge ?Pardon me, sir. Could you tell me your age?
- Salut, comment ça va ? Quel âge as-tu ?Hi, how are you? How old are you?
- Hey, tu as quel âge ?Hey, how old are you?
- 153 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a new neighbor.
- ManonTu sais quel âge a le nouveau voisin ?Do you know how old the new neighbor is?
- HugoNon, mais il a l'air d'avoir quel âge, selon toi ?No, but how old does he look to you?
- ManonIl semble avoir environ trente ans.He looks to be about thirty years old.
- HugoD'accord, il est encore jeune.Okay, he is still young.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
