j'ai onze ans
To say "I am eleven" in French, you say j'ai onze ans.
This phrase is used to state that a person is eleven years old.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "I have eleven years". It uses j'ai, which is the first-person singular conjugation of the verb avoir (to have), followed by onze (eleven) and ans (years).
Which one should you use?
You may encounter Je suis âgé de onze ans (masculine) or Je suis âgée de onze ans (feminine). In very casual settings, you might hear the slang expression J'ai onze piges.
How does it change in a sentence?
In French, you must use the verb avoir (to have) instead of être (to be) to express age. Additionally, the word ans is the plural form of an (year) and must be included at the end of the sentence to complete the expression.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly say je suis onze ans by using the verb "to be" (être).
Did you know?
- The slang word piges used for years comes from the word for a 'peg' or 'stake'. It suggests the idea of marking off time on a tally stick.
- While j'ai onze ans expresses age, the verb avoir is also used in French to say you are hungry, thirsty, or cold, treating these sensations as things you possess.
- The word onze is derived from the Latin word ūndecim, which combines the words for 'one' and 'ten'.
Examples in context
- J'ai onze ans.I am eleven years old.
- Je ne peux pas venir, j'ai onze ans.I cannot come, I am eleven years old.
Example conversation
Hugo and Léa are meeting for the first time at school.
- HugoSalut ! Je m'appelle Hugo.Hi! My name is Hugo.
- LéaSalut Hugo, moi c'est Léa. Quel âge as-tu ?Hi Hugo, I'm Léa. How old are you?
- HugoJ'ai onze ans, et toi ?I am eleven, and you?
- LéaMoi aussi, j'ai onze ans !Me too, I am eleven!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries j'ai, onze, CC BY-SA 4.0.
