Meaning
Stating your age.
Cultural Background
The 'Quinceañera' is a major celebration when a girl turns 15. It is often more important than a wedding. People are generally very direct about age, but it's polite to use 'Usted' when asking an elder. Using 'voseo', the phrase becomes 'Vos tenés... años'. It is common to refer to the elderly as being in the 'Tercera Edad' (Third Age).
The 'Ñ' Rule
Never forget the tilde on 'años'. 'Anos' means something very different and anatomical.
Numbers Matter
Mastering this phrase is 10% grammar and 90% knowing your Spanish numbers!
Meaning
Stating your age.
The 'Ñ' Rule
Never forget the tilde on 'años'. 'Anos' means something very different and anatomical.
Numbers Matter
Mastering this phrase is 10% grammar and 90% knowing your Spanish numbers!
Politeness
When asking an adult their age, use '¿Qué edad tiene usted?' to sound more respectful.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'tener'.
Mi hermana _______ quince años.
The subject is 'mi hermana' (she), so we use the third-person singular form 'tiene'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct in Spanish?
How do you say 'I am 25 years old'?
Spanish uses 'tener' for age and requires the 'ñ' in 'años'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ¿Cuántos años tienes? B: ___________.
The question asks for age, so the answer must provide a number of years.
Match the age statement to the person.
Match 'Tengo un año' to the correct subject.
'Un año' (one year) is the age of an infant.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
To Be vs To Have
Who 'Has' Years?
People
- • Bebés
- • Abuelos
- • Estudiantes
Animals
- • Perros
- • Gatos
- • Tortugas
Objects
- • Casas
- • Coches
- • Vino
Practice Bank
4 exercisesMi hermana _______ quince años.
The subject is 'mi hermana' (she), so we use the third-person singular form 'tiene'.
How do you say 'I am 25 years old'?
Spanish uses 'tener' for age and requires the 'ñ' in 'años'.
A: ¿Cuántos años tienes? B: ___________.
The question asks for age, so the answer must provide a number of years.
Match 'Tengo un año' to the correct subject.
'Un año' (one year) is the age of an infant.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsIt's a linguistic tradition from Latin where age is seen as an accumulation of time you possess.
Yes, in casual conversation, but including 'años' is more standard for learners.
Use '¿Cuántos años tienes?' (informal) or '¿Qué edad tiene usted?' (formal).
It is always 'un año'. 'Uno' drops the 'o' before a masculine noun.
You say 'Tengo veinte años y medio'.
Yes, for adjectives like 'joven' (young) or 'viejo' (old): 'Soy joven'.
You can say 'Tengo treinta y tantos' or 'Estoy en los treinta'.
Generally no, but use common sense in professional or sensitive settings.
It means 'to complete' or 'to turn' an age, used specifically for birthdays.
Say 'Tiene la misma edad que yo'.
Yes! 'El coche tiene diez años'.
It is the legal age of adulthood, which is 18 in most Spanish-speaking countries.
Related Phrases
Cumplir años
similarTo have a birthday
Mayor de edad
specialized formOf legal age
Menor de edad
specialized formA minor
Tercera edad
specialized formSenior citizens
Quinceañera
specialized form15th birthday girl/party
