What does it mean word for word?
The phrase j'ai vingt ans literally translates to "I have twenty years".
Which one should you use?
While j'ai vingt ans is the standard way to state your age, Je suis âgé(e) de vingt ans is a formal way to say "I am aged twenty years" and J'ai atteint l'âge de vingt ans is an extremely formal way to say "I have reached the age of twenty years". For casual conversation, the slang expression J'ai vingt piges can be used.
How does it change in a sentence?
When expressing age in French, you use the verb avoir (to have) instead of être (to be). Additionally, you must include the word ans (years), which is the plural form of an, at the end of the sentence to complete the expression.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying je suis vingt ans. English speakers often mistakenly use the verb être (to be) to express age, but in French, you must use avoir (to have).
Did you know?
- Because age is 'had' rather than 'be-en', French speakers can say il a pris un coup de vieux, meaning they have 'taken a blow of old' when someone suddenly looks much older.
- In French, you can describe someone as vingtenaire, a specific term for a person in their twenties.
- The letter 'g' in vingt is a ghost letter that was added back in Middle French to reflect its Latin root vīgintī even though it is not pronounced.
Examples in context
- J'ai vingt ans.I am twenty years old.
- J'ai vingt ans maintenant.I am twenty years old now.
- Je suis contente car j'ai vingt ans.I am happy because I am twenty years old.
Example conversation
Emma and Hugo are talking about their ages at a party.
- EmmaHugo, quel âge as-tu ?Hugo, how old are you?
- HugoJ'ai vingt-deux ans, et toi ?I am twenty-two years old, and you?
- EmmaJ'ai vingt ans.I am twenty years old.
- HugoAh, tu es très jeune !Ah, you are very young!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries j'ai, vingt, CC BY-SA 4.0.
