何歳ですか
nansai desu ka
In Japanese, "how old you are" is expressed as 何歳ですか (nansai desu ka).
The phrase is used to ask someone about their age. While 何歳ですか is a standard way to ask, you should be aware that asking someone's age directly with this phrase can be considered rude if the person is significantly older or holds a higher social status than you.
Which one should you use?
There are different ways to ask for age depending on the level of politeness. おいくつですか is a more polite and indirect way to ask than 何歳ですか. For a very casual setting, such as speaking with friends or children, you can use the colloquial 何歳？
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The level of formality varies significantly: 年齢をお聞きしてもよろしいですか？ is a formal expression meaning "May I ask your age?" おいくつですか is a polite option. 何歳ですか is the standard form, while 何歳？ is informal.
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle か at the end of the phrase 何歳ですか functions as a question marker, turning the statement into a question.
How do you pronounce it?
nansai desu ka
Did you know?
- In traditional contexts, some people used the 'kazoedoshi' system, where a baby was considered one year old at birth and aged every New Year's Day regardless of their actual birthday.
- In Japanese, the number 'four' is often avoided when counting age because the word for four, 四, sounds like the word for 'death'.
- In Japan, the age of a person is often guessed by their social role or seniority in a company rather than asked with 何歳ですか. In these contexts, asking for a specific number can be seen as unnecessarily intrusive.
Examples in context
- 二十五歳ですI am 25 years old.
- 18歳18 years old
- すみません、何歳ですか？Sumimasen, nansai desu ka?Excuse me, how old are you?
- 田中さんは何歳ですか？Tanaka-san wa nansai desu ka?How old is Mr. Tanaka?
Example conversation
Two acquaintances meet at a social gathering and start a conversation.
- 陽葵 Himari大翔さんは何歳ですか？Hiroto-san wa nansai desu ka?How old are you, Hiroto?
- 大翔 Hiroto二十五歳です。Nijuugosai desu.I am twenty-five years old.
- 陽葵 Himariそうなんですね！Sou nan desu ne!I see!
- 大翔 Hiroto陽葵さんは？Himari-san wa?How about you, Himari?
