Meaning
Stating one's age.
Cultural Background
Privacy regarding age is common among adults, especially in professional settings. It's often better to wait for someone to volunteer their age. Similar to Germany, but milestone birthdays (like 50) are often celebrated with large public signs or 'Schandbäume' in rural areas. Age is often linked to specific civic duties, such as military service, which begins around 19-20 years old.
Drop the 'alt'
In casual conversation, you can just say 'Ich bin 20'. It's perfectly natural.
Don't use 'haben'
This is the #1 mistake for English, Spanish, and French speakers. Stick to 'sein'.
Meaning
Stating one's age.
Drop the 'alt'
In casual conversation, you can just say 'Ich bin 20'. It's perfectly natural.
Don't use 'haben'
This is the #1 mistake for English, Spanish, and French speakers. Stick to 'sein'.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'sein'.
Ich ___ 20 Jahre alt.
The first person singular of 'sein' is 'bin'.
Choose the correct plural form.
Er ist fünf ___ alt.
'Jahre' is the plural form of 'Jahr'.
Match the question to the answer.
1. Wie alt bist du? 2. Wie alt ist er? 3. Wie alt sind Sie?
Match the subject of the question to the subject of the answer.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Bist du 18? B: Nein, ich bin erst ___ (15).
15 in German is 'fünfzehn'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Be vs Have
Practice Bank
4 exercisesIch ___ 20 Jahre alt.
The first person singular of 'sein' is 'bin'.
Er ist fünf ___ alt.
'Jahre' is the plural form of 'Jahr'.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Match the subject of the question to the subject of the answer.
A: Bist du 18? B: Nein, ich bin erst ___ (15).
15 in German is 'fünfzehn'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
2 questionsYes, in spoken German, it is very common to omit 'Jahre alt'.
Use 'Jahr' for 1, and 'Jahre' for any number higher than 1.
Related Phrases
Wie alt bist du?
similarHow old are you?
Ich bin im Alter von...
specialized formI am at the age of...
Volljährig sein
builds onTo be of legal age.
