Significado
A polite way to ask someone's age.
Contexto cultural
Asking age is generally avoided in casual small talk with adults. It is seen as a bit too direct or even nosy. Similar to Germany, but titles (Magister, Doktor) are even more important. You might say 'Herr Doktor, wie alt sind Sie?' Swiss German speakers use 'Sie' in formal settings but might switch to 'du' faster in certain social clubs or mountain regions. In modern tech startups, 'du' is becoming the norm, making 'Wie alt sind Sie?' sound overly stiff or even sarcastic.
The 'Haben' Trap
Never say 'Ich habe 20 Jahre'. Always use 'Ich bin 20 (Jahre alt)'.
Politeness First
If you're unsure if it's okay to ask, start with 'Darf ich fragen...'
Significado
A polite way to ask someone's age.
The 'Haben' Trap
Never say 'Ich habe 20 Jahre'. Always use 'Ich bin 20 (Jahre alt)'.
Politeness First
If you're unsure if it's okay to ask, start with 'Darf ich fragen...'
Writing 'Sie'
Always capitalize 'Sie' in letters and emails to show respect.
Short Answers
In spoken German, you can just say the number: 'Ich bin 30.' You don't need 'Jahre alt'.
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the correct verb form for the formal 'Sie'.
Wie alt ___ Sie?
'Sind' is the correct conjugation for the formal 'Sie'.
Which sentence is the most appropriate for a doctor's office?
Asking a new patient their age:
In a professional medical setting, the formal 'Sie' is required.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Guten Tag. Wie alt sind Sie? B: Ich ___ 25 Jahre alt.
German uses 'sein' (to be) to state age. 'Ich bin' is the 1st person singular.
Match the phrase to the person you are speaking to.
Phrase: 'Wie alt sind Sie?'
You use 'Sie' with officials and strangers.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Formal vs. Informal Age Inquiry
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosWie alt ___ Sie?
'Sind' is the correct conjugation for the formal 'Sie'.
Asking a new patient their age:
In a professional medical setting, the formal 'Sie' is required.
A: Guten Tag. Wie alt sind Sie? B: Ich ___ 25 Jahre alt.
German uses 'sein' (to be) to state age. 'Ich bin' is the 1st person singular.
Phrase: 'Wie alt sind Sie?'
You use 'Sie' with officials and strangers.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasYes, if you have a formal relationship with them, though it's still a personal question.
'Sie' is for one or more people formally. 'Ihr' is for multiple people informally.
It's just a linguistic difference. Think of it as 'How old are you existing?'
Generally no, but it's less common in social small talk than in English-speaking cultures.
Using 'haben' (to have) instead of 'sein' (to be).
No, it is optional. 'Ich bin 20' is perfectly fine.
Use 'Wie alt bist du?'
You could ask 'Darf ich nach Ihrem {das|n} Alter erkundigen?'
Grammatically yes, but it refers to one person in the formal sense.
It's better to avoid it unless necessary for the role, as it can be seen as discriminatory.
Frases relacionadas
Wie alt bist du?
similarHow old are you? (informal)
Das Alter
builds onThe age
Volljährig sein
specialized formTo be of legal age
Seit wann sind Sie hier?
similarSince when are you here?
Ihr Geburtsdatum, bitte?
synonymYour date of birth, please?
