Esta página no seu idioma

English

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

中文

हिन्दी

A1 noun #1,200 mais comum 8 min de leitura

Alter

Top 1,200

Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas Alter em 30 segundos

Explicação Alter in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'Alter' is a basic noun you learn to identify yourself and others. You use it primarily to state how old you are in a formal way or to fill out forms. You learn the question 'Wie alt bist du?' (How old are you?) and the noun 'das Alter' (the age). At this stage, you should focus on the fact that it is a neuter noun and that it is always capitalized. You will mostly see it in simple contexts like 'Mein Alter ist 20 Jahre' or on identity cards. It is one of the essential 'personal information' words alongside 'Name', 'Adresse', and 'Herkunft'. You don't need to worry about historical eras or complex idioms yet; just focus on the biological age of people and the basic grammar of the word.

At the A2 level, you start using 'Alter' in more varied sentence structures. You will learn the very important phrase 'im Alter von' (at the age of). This allows you to talk about past events or milestones, such as 'Im Alter von sechs Jahren kam ich in die Schule' (At the age of six, I started school). You also begin to see compound nouns like 'Altersgruppe' (age group) or 'Altersunterschied' (age difference). You might describe your family members and compare their ages. At this level, you should also be aware that 'Alter' can refer to the age of objects, like a car or a house. Your vocabulary expands to include basic related adjectives like 'jung' (young) and 'alt' (old), and you learn to distinguish them from the noun 'Alter'.

Cadastre-se grátis para ler a explicação completa

At the B1 level, you use 'Alter' to discuss social and societal issues. You might talk about 'das Rentenalter' (retirement age) or 'die Altersvorsorge' (pension planning), which are big topics in German-speaking countries. You can express opinions about whether certain activities are appropriate for a specific 'Alter'. You will also encounter the word in more formal reading texts, such as news articles about demographics or health. You should be comfortable using the genitive case with 'Alter', for example, 'wegen seines hohen Alters' (because of his high age). You also start to recognize 'Alter' as a suffix in historical terms like 'Mittelalter' (Middle Ages). Your understanding moves from personal information to broader social concepts.

Cadastre-se grátis para ler a explicação completa

At the B2 level, you explore the nuances of 'Alter' in professional and academic contexts. You might encounter 'Altersbestimmung' in a scientific text or 'Altersdiskriminierung' (age discrimination) in a discussion about the workplace. You are expected to use the word precisely and understand its metaphorical uses. You might read literature where 'das Alter' is used to represent a stage of life with specific psychological characteristics. You should also be aware of the slang usage of 'Alter' (dude) and know exactly when it is and isn't appropriate to use. Your ability to form complex sentences using 'Alter' as a subject or object in various cases should be fluid. You can discuss the 'Durchschnittsalter' of a group and analyze the implications of an 'alternde Gesellschaft' (aging society).

Cadastre-se grátis para ler a explicação completa

At the C1 level, you master the abstract and philosophical dimensions of 'Alter'. You can discuss 'das Alter' as a philosophical concept, perhaps in the context of 'Würde im Alter' (dignity in old age). You understand and can use sophisticated idioms and expressions. You are familiar with historical 'Zeitalter' and can discuss them in detail. Your vocabulary includes very specific terms like 'Greisenalter' (extreme old age) or 'Frühverrentungsalter' (early retirement age). You can write essays about the 'demografischer Wandel' (demographic change) using 'Alter' and its derivatives with high precision. You also understand the subtle connotations of using 'Alter' versus 'Betagtheit' or 'Seniorität' in different registers of speech and writing.

Cadastre-se grátis para ler a explicação completa

At the C2 level, you have a native-like grasp of 'Alter' in all its forms. You can appreciate and use the word in high-level literary, legal, and scientific contexts. You might analyze the use of 'Alter' in classical German poetry or complex legal statutes regarding 'Altersgrenzen' (age limits). You can navigate the most subtle social nuances, knowing exactly how to refer to someone's age in a way that is highly respectful or clinically precise. You are also fully aware of the historical etymology of the word and how it relates to other Germanic languages. Your use of 'Alter' is effortless, whether you are engaging in a heated debate about social policy or writing a formal academic paper on the 'Mittelalter'.

Cadastre-se grátis para ler a explicação completa

Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas

Alter em 30 segundos

Das Alter is a neuter noun meaning 'age'. It is used to describe how old a person, animal, or object is in years.
Commonly found on official German forms and used in the phrase 'im Alter von' to specify a certain age milestone.
Can also refer to historical eras (e.g., Mittelalter) or be used as a slang term for 'dude' (masculine: der Alter).
Essential for A1 learners to master personal information and basic descriptions of people and objects in German.

The German noun das Alter primarily refers to the chronological age of a person, animal, or object. At its most basic A1 level, it is the answer to the question 'How old are you?'. However, in German, the concept of 'Alter' extends far beyond just a number on a birthday card. It encompasses biological stages of life, historical epochs, and even social status. When you fill out an official form in Germany, you will almost certainly see a box labeled 'Alter' or 'Geburtsdatum' (date of birth). Understanding this word is fundamental because German culture often places specific legal and social importance on reaching certain age milestones, such as the 'Volljährigkeit' (legal adulthood at 18).

Biological Age: This refers to the number of years a person has lived. It is used in medical, legal, and casual contexts. For example, 'In diesem Alter sollte man vorsichtig sein' (At this age, one should be careful).

Das Alter spielt in dieser Sportart eine große Rolle.

Beyond the individual, 'Alter' can describe a period in history, known as a 'Zeitalter' (era). For instance, the 'Mittelalter' (Middle Ages) or the 'Steinzeit' (Stone Age). In these contexts, the word represents a distinct phase of time characterized by specific events or technologies. It is important to note that 'Alter' is a neuter noun (das Alter), and its plural form is also 'Alter', though the plural is rarely used in common speech, often replaced by 'Altersstufen' (age groups) or 'Altersgruppen'.

Social Context: In Germany, 'Alter' is often discussed in the context of 'Altersvorsorge' (pension planning). The society is quite focused on the transition from working life to 'das hohe Alter' (old age/seniority).

Sie genießt ihren Ruhestand im hohen Alter.

Finally, a very important cultural note for learners: 'Alter' is also used as a very common slang term among young people, similar to 'dude' or 'mate' in English. However, in this slang usage, it is grammatically masculine (der Alter) and is used as a form of address. This API entry focuses on the neuter noun meaning 'age', but you should be aware of this dual usage to avoid confusion in casual conversations.

Using 'Alter' correctly requires understanding its grammatical role as a neuter noun. In most cases, it appears with the definite article 'das' or an indefinite article 'ein'. It is frequently paired with prepositions like 'im' (in the) or 'mit' (at/with). For example, 'Im Alter von fünf Jahren' means 'At the age of five years'. Notice how German uses the genitive construction or 'von' to link the age to the person.

Standard Question: While we usually ask 'Wie alt bist du?', in formal contexts you might hear 'Was ist Ihr Alter?' or 'Geben Sie bitte Ihr Alter an'.

Das Alter der Teilnehmer variiert zwischen zwanzig und dreißig Jahren.

When describing the age of objects, 'Alter' is equally useful. If you are looking at an antique, you might ask about its 'Alter'. 'Das Alter des Weins' (the age of the wine) determines its value and taste. In scientific contexts, researchers might use 'Altersbestimmung' (dating/age determination) to find out how old a fossil is. The word is versatile and applies to anything that exists within the flow of time.

Age Limits: The word is central to 'Altersbeschränkung' (age restriction). You will see this on movies (FSK) or games to indicate the minimum age required.

Kinder unter diesem Alter dürfen den Film nicht sehen.

In more advanced German, you will encounter 'Alter' in compound nouns. 'Altersheim' (nursing home), 'Altersgruppe' (age group), and 'Altersunterschied' (age difference) are all essential terms for discussing social dynamics. When comparing two people, you might say 'Der Altersunterschied ist groß' (The age difference is large). This shows how 'Alter' serves as a building block for more complex ideas about life stages and demographics.

You will encounter 'Alter' in a variety of real-world settings in Germany. One of the most common is at the 'Bürgeramt' (local administrative office). When registering your address or applying for an ID, the clerk will ask for your 'Alter' or 'Geburtsdatum'. Similarly, at the doctor's office, your 'Alter' is a critical piece of information for diagnosis and treatment plans. It's a word that bridges the gap between casual conversation and official bureaucracy.

In the News: News reports often mention 'das Durchschnittsalter' (the average age) when discussing demographic shifts in Germany, such as the aging population ('Überalterung').

Das Alter der Bevölkerung steigt stetig an.

In supermarkets or kiosks, you might hear it during 'Altersprüfung' (age verification) if you are buying alcohol or tobacco. The cashier might say, 'Ich muss Ihr Alter prüfen' (I need to check your age). This is a very practical, everyday use of the word. In schools, teachers talk about 'Altersstufen' to categorize children's developmental phases. Even in sports, teams are often divided into 'Altersklassen' (age classes) to ensure fair competition.

Job Advertisements: While discrimination is illegal, you might see phrases like 'egal welchen Alters' (regardless of age) to encourage a diverse range of applicants.

Wir suchen Mitarbeiter jeden Alters.

Finally, in literature and philosophy, 'das Alter' is often personified or discussed as a state of being. You might read about 'die Last des Alters' (the burden of old age) or 'die Weisheit des Alters' (the wisdom of old age). This demonstrates the word's ability to move from a simple number to a profound concept reflecting the human experience and the passage of time.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is confusing the noun 'Alter' with the adjective 'alt'. In English, we say 'I am 20 years old', using an adjective. In German, we say 'Ich bin 20 Jahre alt'. However, if you want to use the noun, you must say 'Mein Alter ist 20'. A common error is trying to use 'Alter' where 'alt' should be, or vice versa. Remember: 'Alter' is a thing (a noun), while 'alt' describes a thing (an adjective).

The Slang Trap: As mentioned, 'Alter' (masculine) is slang for 'dude'. Beginners often accidentally use the neuter 'das Alter' when trying to sound cool, or they use the slang term in formal situations where it is highly inappropriate.

Falsch: Was ist dein alt? (Wrong: What is your old?) Richtig: Was ist dein Alter?

Another mistake involves the preposition. English speakers often want to say 'at the age', and they translate 'at' literally. In German, the standard phrase is 'im Alter von' (in the age of). Using 'an' or 'auf' would be incorrect. For example, 'Er starb im Alter von 80 Jahren' (He died at the age of 80). Learning this specific 'im... von' structure is key to sounding natural.

Plural Confusion: While 'die Alter' exists, it is very rare. If you want to talk about different ages, use 'Altersstufen' or 'Altersgruppen'. Using 'Alter' as a plural often sounds like you are talking about 'the old ones' (die Alten), which is a different word entirely.

Vermeiden Sie: Die verschiedenen Alter der Kinder. Besser: Die verschiedenen Altersstufen der Kinder.

Finally, be careful with the word 'Alte'. 'Der Alte' or 'Die Alte' can mean 'the old man/woman', but it is often used disrespectfully or very informally to mean 'the boss' or even 'my old man/lady' (parent or partner). Stick to 'das Alter' when you mean the abstract concept of age to stay safe and polite.

German has several words that touch upon the concept of age, each with its own nuance. While 'Alter' is the general term, you might choose a more specific word depending on whether you are talking about history, biology, or social groups. Understanding these distinctions will help you reach a higher level of fluency and precision in your German communication.

Alter vs. Lebensalter: 'Lebensalter' is a more formal, technical term specifically for the age of a living being. It is often used in psychology or sociology. 'Alter' is more general and can apply to objects too.

Das Lebensalter beeinflusst unsere kognitiven Fähigkeiten.

Another important distinction is 'Zeitalter'. This refers to a long period of history or a specific era. While 'Alter' can sometimes mean era (like in 'Mittelalter'), 'Zeitalter' is the more common standalone word for this. For example, 'Das digitale Zeitalter' (The digital age). Then there is 'Ära', which is used for periods defined by a specific person or event, like 'die Ära Merkel'.

Alter vs. Senioren: When referring to 'the elderly', Germans often use 'Senioren' or 'ältere Menschen'. Using 'die Alten' can sound a bit harsh or overly blunt, though it is used in literature.

Angebote für Senioren sind in dieser Stadt zahlreich.

Lastly, consider 'Reife' (maturity). Sometimes when people talk about 'Alter', they are actually referring to the maturity that comes with it. 'Ein gewisses Alter' (a certain age) is often a polite way to imply that someone is no longer young but has gained experience. Choosing between these words depends on whether you want to be clinical, respectful, or descriptive.

How Formal Is It?

Curiosidade

The word 'Alter' is a cognate of the Latin 'altus' (high, deep), which originally meant 'grown tall'. This is why we still say 'hohes Alter' (high age) in German.

Guia de pronúncia

UK /ˈaltɐ/

US /ˈɑltər/

The stress is on the first syllable: AL-ter.

Rima com

Halter Walter Falter Kalter Spalter Verwalter Gestalter Erhaltung

Erros comuns

Pronouncing the 'r' at the end too strongly like an English 'r'.
Making the 'A' sound too much like the 'a' in 'apple'.
Forgetting to capitalize it when writing.
Confusing it with the English word 'alter' (to change).
Pronouncing it like 'elder'.

Nível de dificuldade

Leitura 1/5

Very easy to recognize as it looks similar to English 'alter' and is short.

Escrita 2/5

Requires remembering the capitalization and the neuter gender.

Expressão oral 2/5

Pronunciation is simple, but avoiding the slang usage in formal settings is key.

Audição 1/5

Clearly pronounced in most contexts.

O que aprender depois

Pré-requisitos

alt jung Jahr sein haben

Aprenda a seguir

Geburtstag Generation Kindheit Rente Vergangenheit

Avançado

Altersvorsorge demografisch Volljährigkeit Greisenalter Epochal

Gramática essencial

Nouns are always capitalized in German.

Das Alter (not: das alter).

Neuter nouns often use 'das' in the nominative.

Das Alter ist wichtig.

The preposition 'im' is a contraction of 'in dem' (dative).

Im Alter von...

Genitive case adds '-s' to most masculine and neuter nouns.

Die Weisheit des Alters.

Compound nouns take the gender of the last word.

Die Altersgruppe (die Gruppe).

Cadastre-se grátis para ler a explicação completa

Exemplos por nível

Mein Alter ist 25 Jahre.

My age is 25 years.

Alter is a neuter noun: das Alter.

Was ist dein Alter?

What is your age?

Direct question using the noun.

Das Alter steht im Pass.

The age is in the passport.

Using the definite article 'das'.

Ein hohes Alter ist schön.

A high age is beautiful.

Adjective 'hoch' describing the noun 'Alter'.

Bitte nennen Sie Ihr Alter.

Please state your age.

Formal imperative with possessive pronoun 'Ihr'.

Das Kind hat ein junges Alter.

The child has a young age.

Simple subject-verb-object structure.

Alter: 30.

Age: 30.

Commonly seen on forms.

Sie sind im gleichen Alter.

They are the same age.

Phrase 'im gleichen Alter' (at the same age).

Im Alter von zehn Jahren lernte ich Radfahren.

At the age of ten, I learned to ride a bike.

Use of 'im Alter von' to indicate a specific point in time.

Der Altersunterschied zwischen uns ist klein.

The age difference between us is small.

Compound noun: Alters + Unterschied.

In diesem Alter darf man noch nicht wählen.

At this age, one is not yet allowed to vote.

Modal verb 'dürfen' with the noun 'Alter'.

Das Alter des Autos ist unbekannt.

The age of the car is unknown.

Genitive case: 'des Autos'.

Wir sind fast im selben Alter.

We are almost the same age.

Use of 'im selben Alter'.

Gibt es eine Altersgrenze für den Club?

Is there an age limit for the club?

Compound noun: Alters + Grenze.

Das Alter spielt keine Rolle.

Age doesn't play a role (doesn't matter).

Idiomatic expression 'eine Rolle spielen'.

Er ist für sein Alter sehr groß.

He is very tall for his age.

Preposition 'für' followed by possessive and noun.

Die Altersvorsorge ist ein wichtiges Thema.

Pension planning is an important topic.

Compound noun: Alters + Vorsorge.

Viele Menschen arbeiten bis ins hohe Alter.

Many people work into old age.

Phrase 'bis ins hohe Alter'.

Das Rentenalter wurde in Deutschland erhöht.

The retirement age was increased in Germany.

Compound noun: Renten + Alter.

Trotz seines Alters ist er sehr fit.

Despite his age, he is very fit.

Preposition 'trotz' requires the genitive case.

Das Mittelalter war eine faszinierende Epoche.

The Middle Ages were a fascinating epoch.

Compound noun: Mittel + Alter.

Man sollte das Alter nicht unterschätzen.

One should not underestimate old age.

Direct object in the accusative case.

Die Altersgruppe der 18- bis 25-Jährigen ist groß.

The age group of 18 to 25-year-olds is large.

Compound noun: Alters + Gruppe.

Er hat das Alter erreicht, in dem man weise wird.

He has reached the age where one becomes wise.

Relative clause starting with 'in dem'.

Altersdiskriminierung auf dem Arbeitsmarkt ist verboten.

Age discrimination in the labor market is prohibited.

Compound noun: Alters + Diskriminierung.

Die Altersbestimmung der Fossilien war schwierig.

The age determination of the fossils was difficult.

Compound noun: Alters + Bestimmung.

Das Durchschnittsalter der Bevölkerung steigt.

The average age of the population is rising.

Compound noun: Durchschnitts + Alter.

Sie ist im besten Alter für eine Karriere.

She is at the best age for a career.

Idiomatic phrase 'im besten Alter'.

Das Alter hinterlässt Spuren im Gesicht.

Age leaves traces on the face.

Personification of 'Alter' as a subject.

Er leidet an einer typischen Krankheit des Alters.

He suffers from a typical disease of old age.

Genitive construction 'des Alters'.

Die Altersfreigabe für den Film ist ab 16 Jahren.

The age rating for the movie is from 16 years.

Compound noun: Alters + Freigabe.

Unabhängig vom Alter sollte jeder Sport treiben.

Regardless of age, everyone should exercise.

Prepositional phrase 'unabhängig vom'.

Die Würde des Menschen ist auch im Alter unantastbar.

Human dignity is inviolable even in old age.

Philosophical context using 'im Alter'.

Das Greisenalter bringt oft körperliche Gebrechen mit sich.

Extreme old age often brings physical infirmities.

Specific term 'Greisenalter'.

In diesem Zeitalter der Technik ändert sich alles schnell.

In this age of technology, everything changes quickly.

Using 'Zeitalter' for a historical/social period.

Die Altersstruktur der Firma ist sehr ausgewogen.

The age structure of the company is very balanced.

Compound noun: Alters + Struktur.

Er blickt auf ein erfülltes Alter zurück.

He looks back on a fulfilled old age.

Adjective 'erfüllt' describing the stage of life.

Die Überalterung der Gesellschaft ist eine Herausforderung.

The aging of society is a challenge.

Noun 'Überalterung' derived from 'Alter'.

Das biologische Alter weicht oft vom chronologischen ab.

Biological age often deviates from chronological age.

Technical distinction between types of age.

Sie hat die Gelassenheit des Alters gefunden.

She has found the serenity of old age.

Genitive case used for abstract quality.

Das goldene Zeitalter der Literatur ist längst vorbei.

The golden age of literature is long gone.

Metaphorical use of 'Zeitalter'.

Die Alterskohorte der Babyboomer geht nun in Rente.

The baby boomer age cohort is now retiring.

Sociological term 'Alterskohorte'.

Das Alterswerk des Künstlers zeigt eine neue Tiefe.

The artist's late work shows a new depth.

Specific term 'Alterswerk' (late work of an artist).

Er ist ein Greis, doch sein Geist kennt kein Alter.

He is an old man, but his spirit knows no age.

Poetic contrast between physical and mental state.

Die Alterspräsidentin eröffnete die Sitzung des Bundestags.

The honorary president (oldest member) opened the session of the Bundestag.

Political term 'Alterspräsident(in)'.

Das hohe Alter ist oft ein Synonym für Gebrechlichkeit.

Old age is often a synonym for frailty.

Linguistic analysis within the sentence.

In der Antike wurde das Alter oft göttlich verehrt.

In antiquity, old age was often divinely revered.

Historical/cultural observation.

Das Alter ist eine Bürde, die man mit Anstand tragen muss.

Age is a burden that one must carry with dignity.

Metaphorical and moralizing use of the noun.

Colocações comuns

hohes Alter

im Alter von

fortgeschrittenes Alter

bestes Alter

Alter schützt vor Torheit nicht

Altersunterschied ausgleichen

Durchschnittsalter berechnen

das Alter bestimmen

im schulpflichtigen Alter

geistiges Alter

Frases Comuns

Was ist dein Alter?

— Directly asking for someone's age, though 'Wie alt bist du?' is more common.

Auf dem Formular steht: Was ist dein Alter?

Im Alter von...

— Used to state when an event happened in terms of years lived.

Im Alter von 20 Jahren zog er nach Berlin.

Bis ins hohe Alter

— Continuing an activity until one is very old.

Sie tanzte bis ins hohe Alter.

Egal welchen Alters

— Open to people of all ages.

Der Kurs ist für Teilnehmer egal welchen Alters.

In meinem Alter

— Referring to people who are as old as the speaker.

In meinem Alter braucht man mehr Schlaf.

Das Alter angeben

— To state or provide one's age on a document.

Sie müssen Ihr Alter korrekt angeben.

Vom Alter gezeichnet

— Showing visible signs of being old.

Sein Gesicht war vom Alter gezeichnet.

Ein gewisses Alter

— A polite way to say someone is no longer young.

Ab einem gewissen Alter wird man ruhiger.

Das Alter vergessen

— To not think about how old one is.

Beim Spielen vergisst er sein Alter.

Altersbedingt

— Due to or caused by age.

Die Schmerzen sind altersbedingt.

Frequentemente confundido com

Alter vs alt

'Alt' is the adjective (old), while 'Alter' is the noun (age). You cannot say 'Ich bin 20 Alter'.

Alter vs Altar

An 'Altar' is a religious table in a church. It sounds similar but is spelled with an 'a'.

Alter vs älter

'Älter' is the comparative form of the adjective (older). It is not a noun.

Expressões idiomáticas

"Alter schützt vor Torheit nicht"

— Being old doesn't mean you won't do something stupid.

Er hat sich wieder verliebt; Alter schützt vor Torheit nicht.

informal/proverbial

"Im besten Alter sein"

— To be in the prime of one's life (usually 40s-50s).

Mit 45 ist man im besten Alter.

neutral

"Man ist so alt, wie man sich fühlt"

— Age is just a number; it's about your mindset.

Ich bin 70, aber ich jogge täglich; man ist so alt, wie man sich fühlt.

informal

"Das Alter ist ein schweres Päckchen"

— Old age brings many difficulties and health issues.

Das Alter ist ein schweres Päckchen, das er tragen muss.

literary

"In die Jahre kommen"

— To get old or start showing signs of age (often used for objects).

Unser Haus ist langsam in die Jahre gekommen.

neutral

"Ein alter Hase sein"

— To be an old hand/expert at something.

Im Programmieren ist er ein alter Hase.

informal

"Zum alten Eisen gehören"

— To be obsolete or too old to be useful.

Er fühlt sich noch nicht reif, zum alten Eisen zu gehören.

informal

"Alte Liebe rostet nicht"

— Old love never dies/fades.

Sie haben sich nach 20 Jahren wiedergetroffen; alte Liebe rostet nicht.

proverbial

"Das ist alter Wein in neuen Schläuchen"

— Old ideas presented as something new.

Diese Reform ist nur alter Wein in neuen Schläuchen.

formal/idiomatic

"Den alten Adam ablegen"

— To change one's old bad habits.

Es ist Zeit, den alten Adam abzulegen.

literary/religious

Fácil de confundir

Alter vs Eltern

Sounds slightly similar to 'Alter' for beginners.

'Eltern' means parents, while 'Alter' means age. 'Eltern' is always plural.

Meine Eltern sind in meinem Alter.

Alter vs Älteste

Both relate to being old.

'Älteste' is the superlative (oldest person), while 'Alter' is the abstract concept.

Der Älteste in der Gruppe hat das höchste Alter.

Alter vs altmodisch

Contains the root 'alt'.

'Altmodisch' means old-fashioned (style), not chronological age.

Seine Kleidung ist altmodisch, aber sein Alter ist jung.

Alter vs veraltet

Related to age.

'Veraltet' means obsolete or out of date, usually for technology or ideas.

Diese Software ist veraltet.

Alter vs Alte

Noun version of the adjective.

'Die Alte' refers to a person, 'das Alter' refers to the concept of age.

Die Alte hat ein hohes Alter.

Padrões de frases

Mein Alter ist [Zahl].

Mein Alter ist zwanzig.

Im Alter von [Zahl] [Verb] ich...

Im Alter von sechs Jahren kam ich in die Schule.

Das [Adjektiv] Alter ist...

Das durchschnittliche Alter ist gestiegen.

Trotz des [Adjektiv] Alters...

Trotz des hohen Alters ist er aktiv.

Das Alter als [Nomen]...

Das Alter als gesellschaftliche Herausforderung.

Vom Alter [Partizip]...

Vom Alter gezeichnete Gesichter.

Was ist Ihr Alter?

Was ist Ihr Alter, Herr Müller?

Er ist [Zahl] Jahre im Alter.

Er ist 50 Jahre im Alter (rare but possible).

Família de palavras

Substantivos

Alterung

Altersheim

Altersgruppe

Altersvorsorge

Altersunterschied

Verbos

altern

veraltern

überaltern

Adjetivos

alt

ältlich

altertümlich

alterslos

altmodisch

Relacionado

Greis

Senior

Jugend

Generation

Zeit

Cadastre-se grátis para ver todos os exemplos

Como usar

frequency

Very high; used daily in various contexts.

Erros comuns

Ich bin 20 Alter. → Ich bin 20 Jahre alt.
You cannot use the noun 'Alter' to state your age like an adjective.
Was ist dein alt? → Was ist dein Alter?
You used the adjective 'alt' where the noun 'Alter' is required.
An dem Alter von fünf... → Im Alter von fünf...
The correct prepositional phrase is 'im Alter von'.
Die Alter der Kinder... → Die Altersstufen der Kinder...
The plural 'Alter' is rare; 'Altersstufen' is preferred for groups.
Der Alter ist 50. → Das Alter ist 50.
The noun 'Alter' (age) is neuter, not masculine.

Dicas

Neuter Gender

Always remember 'das Alter'. Neuter nouns are common for abstract concepts in German.

Compound Power

Learn 'Alter' as a prefix. Words like Altersheim and Altersgruppe are very common.

Slang Awareness

Be careful with 'Alter' as slang. It's fine with friends but a no-go with your boss.

The 'R' Sound

The 'er' at the end of 'Alter' is a vocalized 'r'. Don't roll it; just make a soft 'ah' sound.

Genitive Case

In formal writing, use 'des Alters'. It makes your German sound much more sophisticated.

Age vs. Old

Keep 'Alter' (noun) and 'alt' (adjective) separate in your mind to avoid basic errors.

Context Clues

If you hear 'im Alter von', a number will almost always follow.

Politeness

Avoid asking people's age directly in social settings unless you know them well.

Historical Eras

Learning 'Mittelalter' helps you remember 'Alter' while learning history.

The Altar

Visualize an old church altar to remember that 'Alter' means age.

Memorize

Mnemônico

Think of an 'ALTer' (altar) in a church that has been there for ages. The 'Alter' represents the 'Age' of the building.

Associação visual

Imagine a giant birthday cake where the candles form the word 'ALTER' instead of numbers.

Word Web

das Alter alt jung Geburtstag Zeit Rente Kindheit Zukunft

Desafio

Try to find five objects in your room and guess their 'Alter' in German. Say: 'Das Alter dieser Lampe ist zwei Jahre.'

Origem da palavra

Derived from the Old High German 'altar', which comes from the Proto-Germanic '*aldaz'. It is related to the English word 'old'.

Significado original: The original meaning was 'grown' or 'nourished', coming from the Proto-Indo-European root '*al-' (to grow, to nourish).

Germanic branch of the Indo-European language family.

Contexto cultural

Be careful when using 'die Alten' to refer to people; it can sound dismissive. 'Senioren' or 'ältere Menschen' is more polite.

In English, we often use 'age' as a verb (to age), but in German, the verb is 'altern'. English speakers also use 'dude', which is the equivalent of the German slang 'Alter'.

Goethe's 'Faust' discusses the desire for youth over old age. The Brothers Grimm fairy tales often feature 'die Alte' as a wise or wicked figure. The FSK (Freiwillige Selbstkontrolle) is the German age rating system for films.

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

Official Forms

Alter angeben
Geburtsdatum
Volljährig
Minderjährig

Medical / Health

Altersbeschwerden
biologisches Alter
Gesundheit im Alter
Alterskrankheit

History

das Mittelalter
ein neues Zeitalter
historisches Alter
Steinzeit

Social Life

Altersunterschied
im gleichen Alter
Altersgruppe
Freunde jeden Alters

Slang / Youth Culture

Echt jetzt, Alter?
Pass auf, Alter!
Mein Alter (father)
Alter Schwede!

Iniciadores de conversa

"Was ist das Durchschnittsalter in deiner Stadt?"

"Glaubst du, dass das Alter nur eine Zahl ist?"

"In welchem Alter möchtest du in Rente gehen?"

"Was war das beste Alter in deinem Leben bisher?"

"Gibt es in deinem Land viele Angebote für Menschen im hohen Alter?"

Temas para diário

Schreibe über eine wichtige Erfahrung, die du im Alter von zehn Jahren gemacht hast.

Wie stellst du dir dein Leben im hohen Alter vor? Wo wirst du wohnen?

Diskutiere die Vor- und Nachteile eines großen Altersunterschieds in einer Freundschaft.

Warum ist die Altersvorsorge für junge Menschen heute so wichtig?

Beschreibe ein historisches Zeitalter, das dich besonders fasziniert.

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

When it means 'age', yes, it is 'das Alter'. When used as slang for 'dude', it is masculine 'der Alter'.

The most common way is 'Wie alt sind Sie?' (formal) or 'Wie alt bist du?' (informal). Using the noun 'Alter' is mostly for forms.

The plural is also 'Alter', but it is very rarely used. Usually, Germans use 'Altersstufen' or 'Altersgruppen' instead.

Yes, 'der Alte' can mean 'the old man', but it can be disrespectful. In slang, 'Alter' is just a filler word like 'dude'.

It means 'at the age of'. For example, 'im Alter von 10 Jahren' means 'at the age of 10'.

Yes, you can talk about 'das Alter eines Hauses' (the age of a house) or 'das Alter eines Weins'.

It means 'Middle Ages'. It is a compound of 'mittel' (middle) and 'Alter' (age).

Yes, always. In German, all nouns are capitalized.

It refers to financial planning for retirement, literally 'age-precaution'.

No. You must say 'Ich bin 20 Jahre alt' or 'Mein Alter ist 20 Jahre'.

Cadastre-se grátis para ver dicas e notas