Sui-shu is the friendly, conversational way to ask or talk about someone's age in daily life.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Used to describe a person's age in casual conversation.
- More informal and conversational than the word '年龄'.
- Commonly used in phrases like 'getting old' (上岁数).
近义词比较：
- “年龄”：书面语，正式，适用于所有场合。
- “岁数”：口语，非正式，侧重于生活化。
- “年纪”：介于两者之间，常用于描述“年纪轻轻”或“一把年纪”。
总之，如果你在和朋友聊天，直接问“你多大岁数了”是很自然的；但如果你在面试，询问对方年龄时，最好还是使用“请问您的年龄是？”以示尊重。
Examples
你多大岁数了？
everydayHow old are you?
他上了岁数，记性不太好。
informalHe is getting on in years, so his memory isn't great.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
多大岁数
How old
上了岁数
Advanced in age
Often Confused With
Age (formal). Use this in professional settings and official documents.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
Sui-shu is exclusively for spoken language. It adds a layer of warmth to your interaction. Avoid it in writing unless you are writing a script for a dialogue.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use '岁数' in formal essays. Remember that '岁数' is for talking, '年龄' is for writing. Also, avoid asking '多大岁数' to someone significantly senior in a professional setting.
Tips
Use with friends and family
Reserve '岁数' for casual chats with people you know well. It makes your Chinese sound much more natural and friendly.
Avoid in formal documents
Never use '岁数' in resumes, legal documents, or official forms. Always use '年龄' in these contexts.
Respecting the elderly
In Chinese culture, asking about age is a way to show interest. Using '上岁数' is a polite way to acknowledge someone's seniority.
Word Origin
Derived from '岁' (year/age) and '数' (number). It evolved as a colloquial way to quantify the years a person has lived.
Cultural Context
In China, asking age is not considered rude; it's a way to establish seniority and determine how to address someone correctly. '上岁数' is a tactful way to address the aging process.
Memory Tip
Think of 'Sui' (years) + 'Shu' (number/count). It's literally 'the count of your years'.
Frequently Asked Questions
3 questions在意思上完全一致，但在语境上不同。建议在非正式场合使用“岁数”，在正式场合使用“年龄”。
“上岁数”是一个地道的表达，意思是指人年纪大了。它比直接说“老了”听起来更加委婉和礼貌。
虽然语法上没问题，但通常人们习惯问小孩子“你几岁了”。“岁数”更常用于成年人或老年人。
Test Yourself
奶奶年纪大了，已经上了___了。
“上岁数”是固定搭配，表示年纪大了。
Score: /1
Summary
Sui-shu is the friendly, conversational way to ask or talk about someone's age in daily life.
- Used to describe a person's age in casual conversation.
- More informal and conversational than the word '年龄'.
- Commonly used in phrases like 'getting old' (上岁数).
Use with friends and family
Reserve '岁数' for casual chats with people you know well. It makes your Chinese sound much more natural and friendly.
Avoid in formal documents
Never use '岁数' in resumes, legal documents, or official forms. Always use '年龄' in these contexts.
Respecting the elderly
In Chinese culture, asking about age is a way to show interest. Using '上岁数' is a polite way to acknowledge someone's seniority.
Examples
2 of 2你多大岁数了？
How old are you?
他上了岁数，记性不太好。
He is getting on in years, so his memory isn't great.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Vocabulary
More general words
一下儿
A1a bit, a moment
点儿
A1a little bit
有点儿
A1a little, somewhat (negative connotation)
一下
A2A bit; a moment (used after a verb).
异样
B1different; unusual; strange
关于
A1about, concerning
快要
A2to be about to (happen)
大约
B1Used to show that a number or amount is not exact; approximately.
上边
A2above, on top
上面
A1on, above, over
