Signification
Asking about someone's age.
Contexte culturel
In Bangladesh, age is often asked to determine if someone should be called 'Bhai' (brother) or 'Chacha' (uncle). It is a sign of wanting to build a family-like bond. In Kolkata, asking age is common in 'Adda' (social chats) to establish school or college seniority, which carries lifelong prestige. In villages, people might not know their exact age. They might respond by referring to a major historical event like the 1971 Liberation War. In tech startups or MNCs, age is becoming less relevant, and people might find the question slightly old-fashioned, preferring to focus on 'Experience years'.
The 'Apni' Rule
When in doubt, always use 'Apnar'. It is never rude to be too formal, but it is often rude to be too informal.
Don't say 'Old'
Never use the word 'puratun' (old) for people. It is only for objects. Use 'Boyosh' for people.
Signification
Asking about someone's age.
The 'Apni' Rule
When in doubt, always use 'Apnar'. It is never rude to be too formal, but it is often rude to be too informal.
Don't say 'Old'
Never use the word 'puratun' (old) for people. It is only for objects. Use 'Boyosh' for people.
Kinship First
Bengalis ask age to know what to call you. If you are 5 years older, you are 'Dada' (Big Brother).
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word to ask age formally.
_______ বয়স কত?
We use 'আপনার' (Apnar) for formal 'your'.
Which of these is the most natural way to ask a doctor's age?
How do you ask a doctor their age?
A doctor requires the formal 'Apnar'.
Match the pronoun with the correct formality level.
Match the following:
Bengali has three levels of 'you' based on respect.
Complete the dialogue.
A: মাফ করবেন, _________? B: আমার বয়স ৬০ বছর।
The answer mentions '60 years', so the question must be about age.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Where would you most likely hear 'আপনার বয়স কত?'
Hospitals require formal data collection.
🎉 Score : /5
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
5 exercices_______ বয়স কত?
We use 'আপনার' (Apnar) for formal 'your'.
How do you ask a doctor their age?
A doctor requires the formal 'Apnar'.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
Bengali has three levels of 'you' based on respect.
A: মাফ করবেন, _________? B: আমার বয়স ৬০ বছর।
The answer mentions '60 years', so the question must be about age.
Where would you most likely hear 'আপনার বয়স কত?'
Hospitals require formal data collection.
🎉 Score : /5
Questions fréquentes
4 questionsGenerally, no. It is seen as a way to establish the correct social relationship and honorifics.
Say 'Amar boyosh [number] bochor.' (My age is [number] years).
It's better to use 'Tomar boyosh koto?' for children as 'Apnar' is too formal.
You can say politely, 'বয়স জেনে কী হবে?' (What will happen by knowing the age?) with a smile.
Expressions liées
তোমার বয়স কত?
similarHow old are you? (Informal)
আপনার জন্মদিন কবে?
similarWhen is your birthday?
বয়স কত হলো?
builds onHow old have you become?
সমবয়সী
specialized formOf the same age
