¿cuántos años tienes?
The English phrase "what is your age?" is expressed in Spanish as ¿cuántos años tienes?
This phrase is used to ask someone how old they are. When answering the question, the standard way to state your age is to use the form Tengo [number] años.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase ¿cuántos años tienes? literally translates to "how many years do you have?"
How does it change in a sentence?
To ask someone's age politely or formally, use the third-person singular form tiene usted instead of tienes. Note that the word usted means "you".
Did you know?
- If you are asked your age and wish to be vague, you can say tengo treinta y tantos, which means 'I am in my thirties' literally 'I have thirty and some'.
- The word años contains a special character called the 'enye' (ñ). This is not just an 'n' with a mark, but a distinct letter in the Spanish alphabet with its own sound.
- The word años shares a root with the Latin 'annus', which is the same ancestor for the English word 'annual'.
Examples in context
- Estimada señora, ¿cuál es su edad?Dear Madam, what is your age?
- Disculpe, ¿qué edad tiene usted?Excuse me, what is your age?
- Hola compañero, ¿cuántos años tienes?Hey buddy, how old are you?
- Perdón, ¿cuántos años tienes?Excuse me, how old are you?
- Si no te importa, ¿cuántos años tienes?If you don't mind, how old are you?
Example conversation
Two acquaintances meet at a party.
- JavierHola María, ¿cuántos años tienes?Hello María, how old are you?
- MaríaTengo veinticinco años, ¿y tú, Javier?I am twenty-five years old, and you, Javier?
- JavierYo tengo veintiocho.I am twenty-eight.
- María¡Ah, somos casi de la misma edad!Ah, we are almost the same age!
