quanti anni hai
The English phrase 'how old you are' is translated into Italian as quanti anni hai.
This phrase is used to ask someone about their age.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, quanti anni hai means 'how many years you have'.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you change the subject from 'you' to a third party (they), the phrase becomes quanti anni hanno.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid translating 'how old are you' literally as quanto sei vecchio. This is incorrect and sounds unnatural in Italian.
Did you know?
- If you use the verb essere to ask someone's age, such as saying quanto sei vecchio, you are literally calling them 'how old/decrepit are you'. It sounds like a comment on their physical frailty rather than a polite inquiry.
- The word anni comes from the Latin annus, which is the same root used for the English word 'anniversary'.
- When speaking to a stranger or an elder, you must change the verb to the formal quanti anni ha to show respect. Using the informal hai can be seen as impolite or overly familiar.
Examples in context
- Non importa quanti anni hai.It doesn't matter how old you are.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use quanti anni hai in a negative context.Tatoeba #3390840 by Guybrush88, translation #3390831 by Hybrid
- Quanti anni hai, se posso chiedere?How old are you, if I may ask?
- Scusa, ma quanti anni hai?Excuse me, but how old are you?
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their ages during a coffee break.
- AlessandroMartina, quanti anni hai?Martina, how old are you?
- MartinaHo venticinque anni, Alessandro.I am twenty-five years old, Alessandro.
- AlessandroAh, sei molto giovane!Ah, you are very young!
- MartinaGrazie, anche se mi sento vecchia!Thanks, even if I feel old!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
