Saying your age in French : complete course

What Does It Mean to Say Your Age in French?

In French, dire son âge means ‘to say your age’. It is one of the first things you learn when you start speaking French. Whether you are introducing yourself or filling out a form, knowing how to express your age is essential.

The good news is that the structure is simple and easy to remember once you know the key verb and formula.

Simple Examples to Get Started

Here are a few quick examples to show you how it works in French:

• J’ai 20 ans. — I am 20 years old.
• Il a 35 ans. — He is 35 years old.
• Elle a 8 ans. — She is 8 years old.

Notice something interesting? French uses the verb avoir (to have), not ‘to be’. In French, you literally say ‘I have 20 years’, not ‘I am 20 years old’. This is one of the most important differences to understand.

The Key Elements of Saying Your Age in French

The Verb ‘Avoir’ (To Have)

To say your age in French, you always use the verb avoir. Here is the present tense conjugation you need to know:

For everyday conversations, you will mostly use j’ai, tu as, il a, and elle a.

The Word ‘Ans’ (Years)

After the number, you always add the word ans, which means ‘years’. You must never forget it in French. It is not optional like in some other languages.

• J’ai 15 ans. — I am 15 years old.
• Tu as 40 ans. — You are 40 years old.
• Nous avons 25 ans. — We are 25 years old.

Asking Someone’s Age

Knowing how to ask someone their age is just as useful. Here are the most common ways to do it:

• Quel âge as-tu ? — How old are you? (informal)
• Quel âge avez-vous ? — How old are you? (formal or plural)
• Quel âge a-t-il ? — How old is he?
• Quel âge a-t-elle ? — How old is she?

The phrase quel âge means ‘what age’. It is always used with the verb avoir to ask about age.

Why Knowing How to Say Your Age in French Matters

This expression comes up all the time in real life. When you meet someone new, when you visit a doctor, when you register for a class, or when you simply chat with a French-speaking friend, you will need to say or ask about age.

It is also a great confidence booster. Once you master this small but important structure, you will feel more comfortable having basic conversations in French. It is one of the building blocks of everyday communication.

Comparison With Other Languages

One of the trickiest parts of this structure for English and Spanish speakers is the verb choice. Let’s compare:

Interestingly, French and Spanish both use ‘to have’ to express age. So if you already speak Spanish, this concept will feel very natural. If you come from English, just remember: switch from ‘to be’ to ‘to have’ when talking about age in French.

A Complete Example

Here is a short and realistic dialogue between two people meeting for the first time:

• — Bonjour ! Tu t’appelles comment ? — Hello! What is your name?
• — Je m’appelle Sophie. Et toi ? — My name is Sophie. And you?
• — Je m’appelle Marc. Quel âge as-tu ? — My name is Marc. How old are you?
• — J’ai 28 ans. Et toi, quel âge as-tu ? — I am 28 years old. And you, how old are you?
• — J’ai 31 ans. — I am 31 years old.

This kind of exchange is very common in French. Practice it out loud with a friend or even alone in front of a mirror.

Key Points to Remember

• Always use the verb avoir (to have), not être (to be), to say your age in French.
• The structure is simple: subject + avoir + number + ans.
• Never forget the word ans after the number.
• To ask someone’s age, use: Quel âge as-tu ? or Quel âge avez-vous ?
• French and Spanish both use ‘to have’ for age, unlike English which uses ‘to be’.

Sources

• Bescherelle — La grammaire pour tous, Hatier, 2019.
• Le Bon Usage, Maurice Grevisse et André Goosse, De Boeck Supérieur, 16e édition, 2016.
• Cadre européen commun de référence pour les langues (CECRL), Conseil de l’Europe, disponible sur coe.int.