كم عمرك؟
kam 'umruk?
The English phrase "what is your age?" is translated into Arabic as كم عمرك؟ (kam 'umruk?).
This phrase is a direct question used to ask someone how many years old they are.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of kam (how much), عمر (age) and the suffix -ak (your).
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase changes based on who you are addressing. To address a female, the suffix changes from -ak to -ik as in كم عمركِ؟. To address a group of people, the suffix changes to -kum as in كم عمركم؟. In the most polite version, using hadratuka for a male or hadratuki for a female instead of the direct suffix makes the question much more formal.
How do you pronounce it?
kam 'umruk?
Did you know?
- In some Arabic-speaking contexts, if you accidentally ask a person's age, you might follow it up by saying ما شاء الله (Mashallah) to show that you are not being nosy and that you wish them a long life.
- The word عمر (age) is also a very common masculine given name in the Arab world, popularized by the historical figure Umar ibn al-Khattab.
- In certain dialects, instead of asking 'what is your age?', people might ask 'how many years have passed over you?', using the verb for 'to pass' or 'to cross'.
Examples in context
- كم عمرك؟kam 'umruk?What is your age?
- أريد أن أعرف كم عمرك؟urīdu an a'rifa kam 'umruk?I want to know how old you are.
- هل يمكنني سؤالك كم عمرك؟hal yumkinunī su'aluka kam 'umruk?May I ask you how old you are?
Example conversation
Sarah and Ahmed are meeting for the first time at a school event.
- سارة Saraأهلاً يا أحمد، كم عمرك؟Ahlan ya Ahmed, kam 'umruk?Hello Ahmed, what is your age?
- أحمد Ahmedأهلاً سارة، عمري عشر سنوات.Ahlan Sarah, 'umri 'ashr sanawat.Hello Sarah, I am ten years old.
- سارة Saraأنا أيضاً في العاشرة.Ana aydan fil-'ashira.I am ten as well.
- أحمد Ahmedهذا رائع جداً!Hadha ra'i' jiddan!That is very great!
