Konnichiwa! If you’re interested in learning how to ask someone’s age in Japanese, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we’ll explore both formal and informal ways to inquire about someone’s age in Japanese, providing you with helpful tips, examples, and even regional variations if necessary.
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Ask Age in Japanese:
When it comes to formal language, Japanese has specific phrases and vocabulary you can utilize. When in a formal setting, you can ask someone’s age by saying:
おいくつですか？
o-ikutsu desu ka?
The phrase “o-ikutsu desu ka?” directly translates to “How old are you?” This polite way of asking someone’s age is suitable for formal situations or when speaking to someone of higher status, such as an elder or your boss.
Let’s see this phrase in action with a few examples:
Example 1:
A: おいくつですか？
B: わたしはさんじゅうさんさいです。
A: ありがとうございます。Example 2:
A: おいくつですか？
B: ごめんなさい、おいくつおっしゃいますか？
A: わたしはななじゅうはっさいです。
In these examples, A asks “o-ikutsu desu ka?” to inquire about B’s age. B responds with their age, and A expresses gratitude or acknowledgement.
Informal Ways to Ask Age in Japanese:
When you are in a casual or informal setting, such as among friends or peers, using a formal phrase to ask someone’s age might sound too distant. Here’s a common informal way to ask someone’s age:
なんさい？
nan-sai?
The expression “nan-sai?” simply means “How old are you?” and is commonly used among friends or people of similar age group. It’s important to note that while this phrase is informal, it’s still considered polite within appropriate contexts.
Let’s take a look at a couple of examples using “nan-sai?”:
Example 1:
A: なんさい？
B: えー、わたしはにじゅっさいだよ。
A: なるほどね。Example 2:
A: なんさい？
B: ふたりまでいえば、さんさいです。
A: そうなんだ！
In these examples, A uses “nan-sai?” to ask B’s age in a casual conversation. B replies with their age, and A responds naturally.
Regional Variations:
Japanese is spoken throughout various regions, and there may be subtle differences in how people ask about age. However, the phrases mentioned earlier are widely understood and accepted across Japan. Nevertheless, we can highlight a few regional variations:
- Kansai Dialect: In the Kansai region, people may instead use “お歳はいくつですか?” (osai wa ikutsu desu ka?) to ask someone’s age. This variation still translates to “How old are you?” and is used in a more specific geographical area.
- Tokyo Dialect: In Tokyo, people often use the more colloquial and abbreviated form “いくつ？” (ikutsu?) to ask someone’s age in informal settings.
Tips for Asking Age in Japanese:
When asking someone’s age in Japanese, keep these tips in mind:
- Politeness: Japanese culture places great importance on politeness, so be sure to use the appropriate level of formality based on the context and whom you’re speaking to.
- Listening Carefully: Pay close attention when someone shares their age with you, especially if they respond using Japanese numbers. This helps you become more familiar with the pronunciation and understanding of numbers in Japanese.
- Respecting Privacy: In Japanese culture, revealing one’s age is sometimes viewed as sensitive information. If someone doesn’t want to share their age or gives a vague response, it’s best to respect their privacy and not push further.
By following these tips, you’ll navigate conversations about age in Japanese more smoothly while showing respect and cultural understanding.
