Greetings! Learning how to say your age in different languages can be a fascinating experience, and today we’ll explore how to express your age in Japanese. In this guide, we’ll cover the formal and informal ways of saying “my age is,” provide some regional variations if necessary, and offer plenty of tips and examples along the way.
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say “My Age is” in Japanese
In formal settings or when talking to someone of higher status or authority, you should use respectful language. Here’s how to express your age formally:
1. Watashi no nenrei wa __歳です。
Translation: “My age is __ years old.”
Replace the “__” with the appropriate number to state your age. Remember, Japanese numbers have a specific counter for counting years, so keep the following in mind:
- 1-year old: ichi sai
- 2-years old: ni sai
- 3-10 years old: san sai, yon sai, go sai, roku sai, shichi sai, hachi sai, ku sai, juu sai
- 11-20 years old: juu ichi sai, juu ni sai, juu san sai, …, juu juu sai, …, juu kyuu sai, ni juu sai
For example, if you are 25 years old, you would say:
Watashi no nenrei wa ni juu go sai desu.
Translation: “My age is 25 years old.”
Now, let’s discover the informal way of expressing your age.
Informal Ways to Say “My Age is” in Japanese
In informal or friendly situations, it’s common to use less formal language. Here are a few ways to say “my age is” informally:
2. Ore wa __歳だ。
Translation: “I’m __ years old.”
3. Boku wa __歳だ。
Translation: “I’m __ years old.”
In these informal expressions, “__” should be replaced with the relevant number. For instance, saying “I’m 19 years old” would be:
Ore wa juu kyuu sai da.
Translation: “I’m 19 years old.”
Keep in mind that using an informal way to express your age should be done only in casual and familiar environments.
Regional Variations
Japanese is spoken across various regions, and sometimes each region may have its own unique way of expressing age. However, the formal and informal expressions mentioned earlier are universally understood throughout Japan. Unless you’re specifically learning a regional dialect, you can comfortably use the formal or informal methods previously discussed.
Tips and Examples
Here are some additional tips and examples to help you use these phrases confidently:
- Remember to add “no” (の) after “watashi” (私) if you want to explicitly say “my age.”
- Using the subject pronoun “watashi” (私) isn’t always necessary. Often, the context of the conversation will make it clear that you are referring to yourself.
- Feel free to omit the “desu” (です) in informal situations. It sounds more casual and relaxed when speaking to friends or peers of similar age.
For example:
Watashi no nenrei wa juu sai desu.
Translation: “I am 10 years old.”
Or:
Watashi wa juu sai desu.
Translation: “I am 10 years old.”
For informal expressions:
Ore wa juu go sai da.
Translation: “I am 15 years old.”
Or:
Boku wa juu go sai da.
Translation: “I am 15 years old.”
Remember to adjust the numbers according to your age when using these phrases.
In Conclusion
Congratulations! You’ve learned how to say “my age is” in Japanese! Make sure to keep in mind the formal and informal expressions we covered. Don’t hesitate to use them in appropriate situations to showcase your language skills and connect with others on a deeper level. Enjoy your practice and keep exploring the rich cultural and linguistic diversity of Japan!
