Greetings! Are you interested in learning how to express your age in German? Whether you’re looking to converse with German-speaking friends, introduce yourself, or simply improve your language skills, this guide has got you covered. In this comprehensive tutorial, we will explore both formal and informal ways to state your age in German, and provide you with useful tips and examples along the way. So let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Formal Expressions
When it comes to formal situations, such as professional settings, academic institutions, or when addressing people you don’t know well, it is important to use the appropriate level of politeness. Here are a few formal expressions to describe your age:
1. Ich bin … Jahre alt.
This is the most straightforward and common way to say your age in German. Simply replace the ellipsis with your age in numeric form. For example, “Ich bin 25 Jahre alt” means “I am 25 years old.”
2. Mein Alter beträgt … Jahre.
This phrase is a bit more formal, but still widely used. Just like the previous expression, modify the ellipsis with the desired number. For instance, “Mein Alter beträgt 30 Jahre” means “My age is 30 years.”
Apart from these standard phrases, you can also use the following variations to add more context to your age:
3. Ich habe das … Lebensjahr vollendet.
This expression is often utilized in official documents or when your exact age is important. Instead of the ellipsis, specify the number of the year you have completed. For example, “Ich habe das 18. Lebensjahr vollendet” means “I have completed the 18th year of my life.”
Informal Expressions
Now let’s explore some informal ways to talk about your age in German. These expressions are typically used among friends, family, or in casual conversations:
1. Ich bin … Jahre alt.
Yes, you’ve read it right! The same expression used in formal situations can also be employed informally. Simply replace the ellipsis with your age just like before. For example, “Ich bin 25 Jahre alt” conveys “I am 25 years old.”
2. Ich bin schon … .
This phrase, meaning “I am already … ,” is commonly used in informal conversations regarding age. Fill in the ellipse with your age in numeric form. For instance, “Ich bin schon 30” means “I am already 30.”
When speaking more casually, you can simply omit the “Jahre alt” part from the above phrases, as the “Jahre” (years) part is already implied.
Tips and Examples
Here are some additional tips and examples to help you effectively express your age in German:
- Ordinal Numbers: When stating your exact age (e.g., “I am the 3rd oldest”), you should use ordinal numbers. For example, “Ich bin der drittälteste.”
- Avoid Using “Year Old” Directly: Unlike English, where we say “I am 20 years old,” in German, it’s more common to say “I am 20” (Ich bin 20) in informal situations.
- Using “Alt” vs. “Jahre Alt”: In spoken German, when describing age informally, it is more common to omit “Jahre alt” altogether and simply say “alt.” For example, “Ich bin 25 alt” (I am 25) is more common than “Ich bin 25 Jahre alt.”
- Your Date of Birth: If someone asks for your date of birth directly, you can respond with “Ich bin am … geboren” (I was born on …), followed by the date in the format: day, month, year.
Let’s wrap up with a few examples:
Example 1:
Person A: Wie alt bist du? (How old are you?)
Person B (formal): Ich bin 35 Jahre alt. (I am 35 years old.)
Person B (informal): Ich bin schon 35. (I am already 35.)
Example 2:
Person A (official form): Wie lautet Ihr Alter? (What is your age?)
Person B: Ich habe das 22. Lebensjahr vollendet. (I have completed the 22nd year of my life.)
Example 3:
Person A (casual): Wann bist du geboren? (When were you born?)
Person B: Ich bin am 4. November 1990 geboren. (I was born on November 4th, 1990.)
Remember, practice makes perfect! The more you use these expressions in real-life conversations or language exercises, the more comfortable you’ll become with expressing your age in German. Viel Glück (Good luck)!
