Learning how to express someone’s age is an essential skill in any language, and Spanish is no exception. Whether you want to know how to ask someone’s age or simply state your own, we’ve got you covered. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore different ways to express “years old” in Spanish, both formally and informally, along with some useful examples and tips. So, let’s dive right in!
Formal Ways to Say “Years Old” in Spanish
Formal expressions are commonly used in professional settings, official documents, or when addressing someone you don’t know very well. Here are some formal ways to express age in Spanish:
- Tengo + number + años: This phrase literally translates to “I have” and is the most common and straightforward way to state your age in Spanish. For example:
- Tengo treinta años. (I am thirty years old.)
- Tengo cincuenta y dos años. (I am fifty-two years old.)
- Soy de la edad de + number + años: This phrase, meaning “I am of the age of,” is a more formal alternative to the previous one. It is especially used on formal occasions or when emphasizing someone’s age. For example:
- Soy de la edad de veinticinco años. (I am of the age of twenty-five years.)
- Soy de la edad de cincuenta y ocho años. (I am of the age of fifty-eight years.)
- Cuento con + number + años: This expression is commonly used in official or legal contexts to state someone’s age. For example:
- Cuento con trenta y uno años. (I am thirty-one years old.)
- Cuento con sesenta y cinco años. (I am sixty-five years old.)
- Tengo la edad de + number + años: Similar to “soy de la edad de,” this phrase emphasizes the age of the person. It is often used in official documents and legal language. For example:
- Tengo la edad de cuarenta y tres años. (I am of the age of forty-three years.)
- Tengo la edad de cincuenta y seis años. (I am of the age of fifty-six years.)
Informal Ways to Say “Years Old” in Spanish
Informal expressions are commonly used among friends, family, and in casual conversations. Here are some informal ways to express age in Spanish:
- Tengo + number + años: Just like in the formal expressions, this phrase is the most common way to state your age informally. For example:
- Tengo veinte años. (I am twenty years old.)
- Tengo treinta y cinco años. (I am thirty-five years old.)
- Tengo + number: Informally, you can omit the word “años” and simply state the age. This is particularly common among younger Spanish speakers. For example:
- Tengo dieciséis. (I am sixteen years old.)
- Tengo veinticuatro. (I am twenty-four years old.)
- Soy + number: Another informal way to express age in Spanish is by using the verb “ser” (to be) followed by the age. This is commonly used among friends and peers. For example:
- Soy veintidós. (I am twenty-two years old.)
- Soy treinta y uno. (I am thirty-one years old.)
Tips and Additional Examples
Now that you’re familiar with different ways to say “years old” in Spanish, here are some additional tips and examples to help you navigate age-related conversations:
1. Agreement of Adjectives
In Spanish, adjectives must agree in gender and number with the noun they modify. When expressing age, the adjective “años” remains in the plural form regardless of the number. For example:
Tengo dieciocho años. (I am eighteen years old.)
Tengo veinticinco años. (I am twenty-five years old.)
2. Using “Cumplir”
The verb “cumplir” (to turn) is commonly used when someone is celebrating their birthday or has reached a milestone age. It is followed by “años” and the age they are turning. Here’s an example:
Voy a cumplir treinta años. (I am going to turn thirty.)
3. Regional Variations
Spanish is spoken in various regions around the world, and there might be slight differences in how people express age. However, the expressions mentioned above are widely understood and used in most Spanish-speaking countries. If you’re unsure, these common phrases will serve you well.
Now that you have a solid foundation of how to say “years old” in Spanish, feel free to practice and engage in age-related conversations confidently. Remember, language learning is a journey, so keep exploring and expanding your Spanish skills!
Buena suerte (Good luck)!
