J'ai quinze ans
In French, "I am fifteen years old" is expressed as J'ai quinze ans.
This phrase is used to communicate your current age. You might also use Je viens d'avoir quinze ans if you want to specifically signify that you have just recently turned fifteen.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, J'ai quinze ans translates to "I have fifteen years".
How does it change in a sentence?
To express age, French uses the verb avoir (to have) rather than être (to be). Because of this, you must include the word for years, ans, when stating your age. You cannot simply say J'ai quinze.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying Je suis quinze ans. English speakers often mistakenly use the verb être (to be) to state age, but in French, you must use avoir (to have).
Did you know?
- Because you use avoir (to have) instead of 'to be', saying Je suis quinze would sound to a French person like you are claiming to be the number fifteen itself.
- While you 'have' years, French speakers also use avoir to express physical sensations like hunger j'ai faim and thirst j'ai soif.
- In older French literature, you might see age expressed with être, but in modern French, doing so is considered a significant grammatical error.
Examples in context
- Bonjour madame, j'ai quinze ans.Hello ma'am, I am fifteen years old.
- Salut les gars, j'ai quinze piges maintenant !Hey guys, I'm fifteen years old now!
- Wow, j'ai déjà quinze balais, je deviens grand(e) !Wow, I'm already fifteen years old, I'm growing up!
- Non, je ne suis pas plus jeune, j'ai quinze ans.No, I am not younger, I am fifteen years old.
Example conversation
Two teenagers are talking about their school level.
- ManonQuel âge as-tu, Hugo ?How old are you, Hugo?
- HugoJ'ai quinze ans, et toi ?I am fifteen years old, and you?
- ManonMoi aussi, j'ai quinze ans.Me too, I am fifteen years old.
- HugoAh, nous sommes dans la même classe alors !Ah, we are in the same class then!
