10歳です
jussai desu
The English phrase 'I am ten years old' is expressed in Japanese using 10歳です (jussai desu).
This phrase is used to state that one's age is ten years old. In Japanese, the subject 'I' (watashi wa) is often omitted when it is clear from the context that you are talking about yourself.
What does it mean word for word?
The expression 10歳 consists of the number 10 and the counter 歳 (sai), which means 'years old'.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say 'I was ten years old', you change the polite copula です to the past tense でした.
How do you pronounce it?
jussai desu
Did you know?
- In Japan, the traditional system called kazoedoshi counted a person as one year old at birth and added a year on New Year's Day, regardless of the actual birth date.
- When saying 10歳 (jussai), the pronunciation of the number ten changes from 'juu' to 'jus'. This phonetic shift happens to make the transition to the counter 歳 smoother for the speaker.
- If you were celebrating your tenth birthday, you might hear people use the word 十歳 (jussai) or even 十才 (jussai) in casual writing. The second version uses a simplified kanji for 'years old'.
Examples in context
- 私は10歳です。Watashi wa jussai desu.I am ten years old.
Example conversation
Two children are introducing themselves at a park.
- 大翔 Hiroto僕は大翔。君は何歳？Boku wa Yamato. Kimi wa nan sai?I'm Yamato. How old are you?
- 美咲 Misaki私は美咲です。10歳です。Watashi wa Misaki desu. Jussai desu.I'm Misaki. I am ten years old.
- 大翔 Hiroto本当？僕も10歳だよ！Hontou? Boku mo jussai dayo!Really? I'm ten too!
- 美咲 Misakiやった！一緒だね。Yatta! Issho dane.Yay! We are the same age.
