How to Say How Old You Are in Chinese

When communicating in Chinese, knowing how to express your age is a fundamental aspect of introducing yourself or having a conversation. In this guide, we will explore both formal and informal ways of stating your age in Chinese. We will also provide examples, tips, and touch upon any regional variations if necessary. So, let’s dive in!

Formal Ways to Express Your Age

When it comes to formal situations, such as job interviews, formal introductions, or official documents, it’s important to use the appropriate language to convey your age respectfully. Here are some formal ways to do so:

1. 我今年X岁了。(Wǒ jīnnián X suì le.)

This sentence translates to “I am X years old this year.” This is the most common and straightforward way of stating your age in formal contexts. Simply replace the ‘X’ with the number representing your age.

Example:

我今年二十五岁了。(Wǒ jīnnián èrshíwǔ suì le.)

I am 25 years old this year.

2. 请问，我今年几岁了？(Qǐngwèn, wǒ jīnnián jǐ suì le?)

This phrase means “May I ask, how old am I this year?” It is a polite and indirect way to enquire about someone’s age, often used in formal or social settings.

Tip:

When using this phrase to ask someone else’s age, replace the pronoun ‘我’ (wǒ) meaning ‘I’ with ‘你’ (nǐ) meaning ‘you.’

Informal Ways to Express Your Age

Informal situations, such as casual conversations with friends or family, allow for more relaxed expressions of age. Let’s look at some informal ways to state your age:

1. 我今年X了。(Wǒ jīnnián X le.)

This sentence structure is similar to the formal expression, but the particle ‘了’ (le) is added at the end. It implies a sense of completion and can be used to highlight the excitement of reaching a certain age.

Example:

我今年二十岁了。(Wǒ jīnnián èrshí suì le.)

I am 20 years old now!

2. 我X岁。(Wǒ X suì.)

This simple phrase translates to “I am X years old” and is commonly used in casual or friendly conversations to state one’s age without much formality.

Example:

我二十一岁。(Wǒ èrshíyī suì.)

I am 21 years old.

Additional Tips and Regional Variations

1. Avoid Impolite Questions

In Chinese culture, it is generally considered impolite to directly ask someone’s age, especially if they are older than you or in a formal setting. Be mindful of the context and choose a suitable way to express your age without prying into someone else’s.

2. Regional Variation: 年龄 (NIÁNLÍNG) vs. 岁数 (SUÌSHU)

While both 年龄 (niánlíng) and 岁数 (suìshu) mean “age” in Mandarin Chinese, there can be regional variations in their usage. Generally, 年龄 (niánlíng) is more commonly used in northern China, while 岁数 (suìshu) is more prevalent in the south. However, both terms are widely understood across the country.

3. Age as a Topic of Respect

In Chinese culture, age is often associated with wisdom and experience, leading to a respectful attitude towards elders. When discussing age, it is customary to use honorifics like ‘您’ (nín) and polite language to show respect, especially towards older individuals.

4. Age Counting Differences

In Chinese, age is typically counted differently than in Western cultures. In China, you are considered one year old at birth, and your age increases by one at each Chinese New Year. However, some individuals may choose to adopt Western-style counting in casual conversations.