What does it mean word for word?
Literally, tengo trece años translates to "I have thirteen years".
Which one should you use?
tengo trece años is the most common way to state your age. Tengo trece años de edad is a more formal version, while tengo trece añitos is an informal version used to add affection. If you want to express excitement about your age, you can say ¡Ya tengo trece años!, which means "I'm already thirteen years old!"
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, it is common to use the verb cumplir to say you are about to reach a certain age, such as in the phrase Voy a cumplir trece años (I am going to turn thirteen).
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase relies on the verb tener (to have). To change the subject of the sentence, you must conjugate tener accordingly. For example, tienes trece años means "you are thirteen years old".
How do you pronounce it?
/tenɡo tɾeθe aɲos/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying soy trece años.
Did you know?
- The word años is a homonym for a common vulgar slang term in some dialects, which is why clear pronunciation of the ñ is vital.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, the number thirteen is not as universally associated with bad luck as it is in English-speaking countries.
- The Spanish word trece shares a common ancestor with the English word 'three' through the Latin 'trēs', as both descend from the same Proto-Indo-European root.
Examples in context
- No soy un niño pequeño, tengo trece años.I am not a little boy, I am thirteen years old.
- Apenas tengo trece años.I am only thirteen years old.
Example conversation
Lucía and Daniel are introducing themselves at school.
- LucíaHola, soy Lucía. ¿Cuántos años tienes?Hi, I'm Lucía. How old are you?
- DanielHola Lucía, yo tengo trece años.Hi Lucía, I am thirteen years old.
- Lucía¡Yo también tengo trece años!I am thirteen years old too!
- Daniel¡Qué bien! Somos de la misma edad.That's great! We are the same age.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries trece, CC BY-SA 4.0.
