tu edad
/tu edad/from spelling rules
The phrase "your age" in Spanish is tu edad.
tu edad refers to the number of years a person has lived. When expressing your own age in Spanish, you use the verb tener (to have) rather than ser (to be). For example, you would say Tengo veinte to mean "I am twenty," as the word años (years) can be omitted in such expressions.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the possessive adjective tu (your) and the noun edad (age).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Use su edad when addressing someone formally or using the usted form.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, it is common to use the verb cumplir when talking about turning a specific age.
How do you pronounce it?
/tu edad/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use the verb ser (to be) to state their age. In Spanish, you should use tener (to have) with the number of years, although tu edad remains a valid noun phrase for the concept of age itself.
Did you know?
- The word edad shares a common ancestor with the English words 'eternity' and 'eon'.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, asking for tu edad can be considered more intrusive than in English, especially when addressing women in formal social settings.
- While English uses the same word 'age' for a period of history and a person's years, Spanish uses edad for people and época for historical eras.
Examples in context
- Yo tenía tu edad.I was your age.This sentence uses tu edad to describe a past state of being a certain age.Tatoeba #1187289 by Shishir, translation #1410127 by al_ex_an_der
- ¿Cuál es tu edad?What is your age?This sentence uses tu edad to ask for someone's age.Tatoeba #1469844 by marcelostockle, translation #389935 by blay_paul
- ¿Luces de tu edad?Do you look your age?This sentence uses tu edad to ask if someone's appearance matches their age.Tatoeba #1239409 by marcelostockle, translation #953204 by CK
- Tengo veinte años.I am twenty years old.
- Tengo cuarenta y cinco años.I am forty-five years old.
- Tengo dieciséis años.I am sixteen years old.
- Tengo treinta años.I am thirty years old.
- Tengo veinticinco años. ¿Y tú?I am twenty-five years old. And you?
- ¿Cuántos años tienes?How old are you?
- Mañana cumplo veinte años.Tomorrow, I turn twenty years old.
- 30 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their birthdays.
- SofíaMe sorprende que ya tengas tu edad.It surprises me that you're already your age.
- MateoSí, el tiempo pasa muy rápido.Yes, time passes very quickly.
- SofíaDime la verdad sobre tu edad.Tell me the truth about your age.
- MateoTengo veinticinco años, Sofía.I am twenty-five years old, Sofia.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries edad, tu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
