Learning how to express your age in different languages is not only useful but also a great way to connect with people from diverse cultures. In this guide, we will explore various ways to say “I am thirteen” in Spanish, both formally and informally. We will also provide some regional variations where necessary. ¡Vamos! (Let’s go!)
Table of Contents
1. Formal Ways to Say “I am Thirteen” in Spanish
If you want to convey your age in a more polite or formal context, you can use the following phrases:
a) “Tengo trece años.”
This phrase, which translates directly to “I am thirteen years old,” is the most straightforward way to express your age formally. It is widely understood and used across Spanish-speaking countries.
Example:
Person 1: ¿Cuántos años tienes? (How old are you?)
Person 2: Tengo trece años. (I am thirteen years old.)
b) “Yo tengo la edad de trece años.”
In more formal situations, you can use this slightly longer phrase, which means “I have the age of thirteen years.” Although it may sound a bit more formal, it effectively conveys your age.
Example:
Person 1: ¿Qué edad tienes? (What age are you?)
Person 2: Yo tengo la edad de trece años. (I have the age of thirteen years.)
c) “Tengo trece años de edad.”
Similar to the previous example, this phrase translates to “I am thirteen years of age” and is another formal way to express your age.
Example:
Person 1: ¿Cuántos años tienes, si se puede saber? (How old are you, if I may ask?)
Person 2: Tengo trece años de edad. (I am thirteen years of age.)
2. Informal Ways to Say “I am Thirteen” in Spanish
If you’re in a more casual setting or speaking informally with friends or family, you can use these alternatives:
a) “Tengo trece.”
In informal contexts, it is common to omit the word “años” (years) and simply say “Tengo trece,” meaning “I am thirteen.”
Example:
Friend 1: ¿Cuántos tienes? (How old are you?)
Friend 2: Tengo trece. (I am thirteen.)
b) “Tengo trece añitos.”
To add a touch of endearment or emphasize your age, you can use the diminutive form “añitos,” which means “I am thirteen little years old.”
Example:
Friend 1: ¿Cuántos añitos tienes? (How young are you?)
Friend 2: Tengo trece añitos. (I am thirteen little years old.)
3. Regional Variations
While the phrases mentioned above are widely understood throughout Spanish-speaking countries, there can be slight variations in regional usage. Here are a couple of examples:
a) “Tengo trece años cumplidos.”
In some regions, like Mexico, it is common to add the word “cumplidos” to indicate that the person has already reached or completed their thirteenth birthday. So the phrase “Tengo trece años cumplidos” translates to “I am thirteen (years old) completed.”
Example:
Person 1: ¿Cuántos cumplidos tienes? (How many completed years do you have?)
Person 2: Tengo trece años cumplidos. (I am thirteen (years old) completed.)
b) “Estoy por cumplir trece años.”
In other regions, such as Argentina, it is common to express an upcoming age instead. The phrase “Estoy por cumplir trece años” means “I am about to turn thirteen.” This variation is often used shortly before a person’s thirteenth birthday.
Example:
Person 1: ¿Cuántos años cumplirás? (How old will you turn?)
Person 2: Estoy por cumplir trece años. (I am about to turn thirteen.)
Conclusion
Congratulations! By learning how to say “I am thirteen” in both formal and informal ways in Spanish, you have taken a step closer to becoming fluent in the language. Remember that cultural differences and regional variations exist, so it’s always interesting to adapt your phrasing when speaking with native Spanish speakers from different parts of the world. Keep practicing and embracing the Spanish language and culture!
