þīn ieldu
The phrase "your age" in Old English is þīn ieldu.
This phrase is used to refer to the number of years a person has lived.
Did you know?
- The letter þ in þīn is called 'thorn'. It represents a sound like the 'th' in 'thin' and was so common that it survived in some English dialects long after the Norman Conquest.
- In Old English poetry, referring to a person's ieldu was often a way to evoke wisdom and the passing of time rather than just stating a biological number.
- Unlike modern English, which uses one word for 'your', Old English had different forms of þīn depending on whether the object was masculine, feminine, or neuter.
Examples in context
- Ic eom fif and twentig geara eald.I am twenty-five years old.
- Ic ne cann þīne ieldu.I do not know your age.
Example conversation
Two acquaintances are talking about their lives.
- ÆthelflædGodric, hwæt is þīn ieldu?Godric, what is your age?
- GodricIc eom twentig wintra eald.I am twenty years old.
- ÆthelflædÞū eart geong.You are young.
- GodricGēa, ic eom geong.Yes, I am young.
