おとし
otoshinoun, polite
In hiragana, the polite word for someone's age is おとし (otoshi). To ask it directly, say おいくつですか (oikutsu desu ka). It is also called おいくつ (oikutsu) and ねんれい (nenrei).
Meaning: someone's age (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| おとし | otoshi | noun, polite |
| おいくつ | oikutsu | polite question |
| ねんれい | nenrei | noun, formal |
おとしはおいくつですか (otoshi wa oikutsu desu ka) is a very polite way to ask how old someone is. Among friends, なんさい (nansai) is common.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ねんれい (nenrei) is a formal, written term found on forms and surveys.
When do people say it?
Asking age is more common in Japan than in some other countries, but it is still wise to ask kindly and only when it matters.
Did you know?
- Age is counted with さい (sai), and the special word for twenty years old is はたち (hatachi).
Examples in context
- おいくつですか。Oikutsu desu ka.How old are you?
- なんさいですか。Nansai desu ka.How old are you? (casual)
- わたしはにじゅっさいです。Watashi wa nijussai desu.I am twenty years old.
Example conversation
Mr. Sakai meets a new neighbor, Ms. Ota, at a community event.
- Mr. Sakaiしつれいですが、おいくつですか。Shitsurei desu ga, oikutsu desu ka.Excuse me, may I ask how old you are?
- Ms. Otaさんじゅうさんさいです。Sanjūsansai desu.I am thirty three.
- Mr. Sakaiおなじくらいですね。Onaji kurai desu ne.We are about the same age.
