A1 Expression フォーマル

Wie alt sind Sie?

How old are you?

意味

A polite way to ask someone's age.

🌍

文化的背景

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...'

意味

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'.

自分をテスト

Fill in the correct verb form for the formal 'Sie'.

Wie alt ___ Sie?

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: sind

'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:

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: Wie alt sind Sie?

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.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: bin

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?'

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: A police officer

You use 'Sie' with officials and strangers.

🎉 スコア: /4

ビジュアル学習ツール

Formal vs. Informal Age Inquiry

Formal (Sie)
Wie alt sind Sie? How old are you?
Informal (du)
Wie alt bist du? How old are you?

練習問題バンク

4 問題
Fill in the correct verb form for the formal 'Sie'. Fill Blank A1

Wie alt ___ Sie?

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: sind

'Sind' is the correct conjugation for the formal 'Sie'.

Which sentence is the most appropriate for a doctor's office? Choose A1

Asking a new patient their age:

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: Wie alt sind Sie?

In a professional medical setting, the formal 'Sie' is required.

Complete the dialogue. dialogue_completion A1

A: Guten Tag. Wie alt sind Sie? B: Ich ___ 25 Jahre alt.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: bin

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. situation_matching A1

Phrase: 'Wie alt sind Sie?'

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: A police officer

You use 'Sie' with officials and strangers.

🎉 スコア: /4

よくある質問

10 問

Yes, 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.

関連フレーズ

🔗

Wie alt bist du?

similar

How old are you? (informal)

🔗

Das Alter

builds on

The age

🔗

Volljährig sein

specialized form

To be of legal age

🔗

Seit wann sind Sie hier?

similar

Since when are you here?

🔄

Ihr Geburtsdatum, bitte?

synonym

Your date of birth, please?

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