Meaning
Used to state one's age.
Cultural Background
The 'carte jeune' (youth card) is a major cultural touchstone for those under 26, offering massive discounts on trains and culture. People often define themselves by whether they still 'have' the age for it. In Quebec, while the grammar is the same, the pronunciation of 'ans' can be more nasal, and the numbers (like 70, 80, 90) follow the same pattern as France, unlike in Switzerland or Belgium. In many Francophone African cultures, age is synonymous with wisdom. Stating one's age is often done with pride, and younger people will use 'vous' and formal structures even more strictly when someone 'has' more years than them. Belgians use 'septante' and 'nonante' for 70 and 90. So, a 75-year-old would say 'J'ai septante-cinq ans' instead of 'soixante-quinze'.
The 'Ans' Rule
Always include 'ans'. If you just say 'J'ai vingt', people will wait for you to finish your sentence.
Avoid 'Être'
This is the #1 mistake. Write 'AVOIR = AGE' on a sticky note until it sticks!
Meaning
Used to state one's age.
The 'Ans' Rule
Always include 'ans'. If you just say 'J'ai vingt', people will wait for you to finish your sentence.
Avoid 'Être'
This is the #1 mistake. Write 'AVOIR = AGE' on a sticky note until it sticks!
Liaison Mastery
Practice the 'z' sound in 'deux ans', 'trois ans', and 'six ans' to sound like a native.
Asking Age
With adults you don't know well, use 'Quel âge avez-vous ?' to be polite.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct verb to complete the sentence: 'Je ___ vingt ans.'
Je ___ vingt ans.
In French, we use the verb 'avoir' (to have) for age. 'J'ai' is the first-person singular form.
Fill in the missing word: 'Ma sœur ___ douze ans.'
Ma sœur ___ douze ans.
'Ma sœur' is the subject (she), so we use the third-person singular form of 'avoir', which is 'a'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Quel âge as-tu ? B: ___
The correct response uses 'J'ai' and includes the word 'ans'.
Match the subject with the correct form of 'avoir' for age.
Subjects: 1. Tu, 2. Nous, 3. Ils, 4. Vous
These are the standard present tense conjugations of 'avoir'.
Which phrase would you use at a birthday party for yourself?
It's your birthday!
'I have one more year!' is a common way to celebrate getting older.
🎉 Score: /5
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
5 exercisesJe ___ vingt ans.
In French, we use the verb 'avoir' (to have) for age. 'J'ai' is the first-person singular form.
Ma sœur ___ douze ans.
'Ma sœur' is the subject (she), so we use the third-person singular form of 'avoir', which is 'a'.
A: Quel âge as-tu ? B: ___
The correct response uses 'J'ai' and includes the word 'ans'.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are the standard present tense conjugations of 'avoir'.
It's your birthday!
'I have one more year!' is a common way to celebrate getting older.
🎉 Score: /5
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsTechnically people might understand, but it sounds very unnatural. Always add 'ans'.
It's a linguistic heritage from Latin where age was seen as something you accumulate over time.
Yes, except for 'un an' (one year old).
Use 'Quel âge avez-vous ?'
It's a slang word for 'years' used only in very casual settings.
Yes, 'Cette maison a cent ans.'
You can say 'J'ai la trentaine.'
It's fine with friends and children, but use discretion with older adults you don't know.
Use 'environ' (about) or 'à peu près'.
No, 'ans' is a masculine noun and doesn't change based on the person's gender.
Related Phrases
être âgé de
similarto be aged...
fêter ses ... ans
builds onto celebrate one's ... birthday
avoir l'air de
similarto look like/to look [age]
le troisième âge
specialized formsenior citizens
piges
synonymyears (slang)
