Jahre alt
In German, Jahre alt is used to say "years old".
Jahre alt is used to state the age of a person or thing. In many cases, you can omit Jahre alt entirely and simply state the number if the context of age is already clear.
What does it mean word for word?
Jahre is the plural form of Jahr (year) and alt is an adjective meaning "old".
How does it change in a sentence?
Jahre is the plural form of Jahr.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly try to use the verb haben (to have) to state age. However, in German, you must use sein (to be).
Did you know?
- When speaking about age in a very formal or poetic context, Germans might use the word Lenze, meaning 'springs', to count years instead of Jahre.
- In German, the adjective alt can be used to describe both a person's age and the age of an object, but when describing a person, calling someone alt without a number can be considered an insult.
- The word alt shares its deep roots with the English word 'old', as both descend from the Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'to grow' or 'to nourish'.
Examples in context
- Ich bin 24 Jahre alt.I'm 24 years old.This sentence is useful for stating your own age using Jahre alt.Tatoeba #801648 by Esperantostern, translation #688706 by pandark
- Tom ist 30 Jahre alt.Tom is thirty years old.This sentence is useful for stating someone else's age using Jahre alt.Tatoeba #1938404 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1024810 by CK
- Er ist elf Jahre alt.He's eleven years old.This sentence is useful for stating a third person's age using Jahre alt.Tatoeba #3461791 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #2706929 by CN
- Ich habe das X. Lebensjahr vollendet.I have completed the Xth year of life.
- Ich habe das 50. Lebensjahr vollendetI have completed the 50th year of life.
- Ich bin schon 18I am already 18
- Wie alt bist du?How old are you?
- Ich bin 30 Jahre alt.I am 30 years old.
- Wie alt ist dein Bruder?How old is your brother?
- Er ist schon 18.He is already 18.
- 386 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lukas and Sarah are talking about their children.
- LukasWie alt ist deine Tochter?How old is your daughter?
- SarahSie ist jetzt sechs Jahre alt.She is six years old now.
- LukasIst dein Sohn auch sechs Jahre alt?Is your son also six years old?
- SarahNein, er ist erst vier Jahre alt.No, he is only four years old.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries alt, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
