minha idade
/ˈmĩ.ɲɐ iˈda.d͡ʒi/word by word
The Portuguese phrase for "my age" is minha idade.
minha idade refers to the number of years a person has lived. When you want to say someone "is" your age, Portuguese uses the verb ter (to have) instead of ser (to be).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazil, it is common to say Estou fazendo X anos to mean "I am completing X years."
How does it change in a sentence?
In many Portuguese dialects, especially in Brazil, it is standard to include the definite article a before the possessive adjective, resulting in the phrase a minha idade.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈmĩ.ɲɐ iˈda.dʒi/. The word has 4 syllables, and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- The word idade shares an ancient root with the English word 'age' through the Latin 'aetas'. Both words ultimately trace back to the Proto-Indo-European root h₂ey-, which related to the concept of 'vital energy'.
- In some traditional Portuguese contexts, asking Qual é a sua idade? can be seen as more blunt or clinical than asking Quantos anos tem?, which is the preferred way to inquire about age.
- In Portuguese, the word idade is used in the term Idade Média to describe the Middle Ages, mirroring the English structure but using the same word for a person's age.
Examples in context
- Ela é da minha idade.She's my age.This sentence shows how to use minha idade to say someone is your age.Tatoeba #2814908 by alexmarcelo, translation #2794069 by Hybrid
- John tem a minha idade.John is my age.This sentence shows how to use minha idade to say someone has your age.Tatoeba #5049081 by Ricardo14, translation #5049001 by AlanF_US
- Eu costumo mentir a minha idade.I often lie about my age.This sentence shows how to use minha idade when talking about lying about your age.Tatoeba #5466267 by ToinhoAlam, translation #4221133 by Hybrid
- Eu tenho vinte e cinco anos.I am 25 years old.
- Eu faço vinte e cinco anos.I turn 25.
- 13 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Beatriz and Rodrigo are discussing their birth dates.
- BeatrizVocê sabe a minha idade?Do you know my age?
- RodrigoAcho que você tem vinte anos.I think you are twenty years old.
- BeatrizErrou! Eu menti a minha idade.Wrong! I lied about my age.
- RodrigoAgora eu estou curioso, Beatriz!Now I am curious, Beatriz!
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (minha, idade) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries idade, minha, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
