Various ways to say “How old are you” in Chinese

Age is a topic that comes up in conversation all the time, whether you’re meeting someone for the first time or catching up with an old friend.

In Chinese culture, asking someone’s age is not considered impolite, but the way you ask can vary depending on the situation and the person’s age.

Similarly, how you answer the question can depend on factors such as your relationship with the person and your comfort level.

The common expressions

你今年多少岁？ (Nǐ jīnnián duōshǎo suì?)

This question directly asks, “How old are you this year?” It is polite and neutral, typically used for adults or individuals younger than you. However, it might feel formal or overly direct if the age difference is sensitive.

e.g.

A: 你今年多少岁？(Nǐ jīnnián duōshǎo suì?) How old are you this year?
B: 我今年25岁。(Wǒ jīnnián èrshíwǔ suì.) I am 25 this year.

A: 你今年多少岁？(Nǐ jīnnián duōshǎo suì?) How old are you this year?
B: 我不太想说，猜猜吧！(Wǒ bù tài xiǎng shuō, cāicai ba!) I don’t really want to say. Guess!

A: 请问，你今年多少岁了？(Qǐngwèn, nǐ jīnnián duōshǎo suì le?) May I ask how old you are this year?
B: 我今年40岁了。(Wǒ jīnnián sìshí suì le.) I am 40 this year.

你几几年的？(Nǐ jǐ jǐ nián de?)

This casual question translates to “Which year were you born?” It is informal and commonly used among peers or in casual conversations. It’s especially common when the exact age is not needed, and people want to figure out the person’s generation or zodiac sign.

e.g.

A: 你几几年的？(Nǐ jǐ jǐ nián de?) What year were you born?
B: 我是2000年的。(Wǒ shì èrlínglínglíng nián de.) I was born in 2000.

A: 你几几年的？(Nǐ jǐ jǐ nián de?) What year were you born?
B: 我1995年的，你呢？(Wǒ yījiǔjiǔwǔ nián de, nǐ ne?) I’m from 1995. What about you?

A: 你几几年的？(Nǐ jǐ jǐ nián de?) Which year are you from?
B: 我是90后的。(Wǒ shì jiǔshíhòu de.) I’m from the 90s generation.

你是哪一年出生的？(Nǐ shì nǎ yī nián chūshēng de?)

This phrase explicitly asks, “Which year were you born?” It is more formal and suitable for official situations.

e.g.

A: 你是哪一年出生的？(Nǐ shì nǎ yī nián chūshēng de?) Which year were you born?
B: 我是1988年出生的。(Wǒ shì yījiǔbābā nián chūshēng de.) I was born in 1988.

A: 请问您是哪一年出生的？(Qǐngwèn nín shì nǎ yī nián chūshēng de?) May I ask which year you were born?
B: 我是1970年的。(Wǒ shì yījiǔqīlíng nián de.) I was born in 1970.

A: 你是哪一年出生的？(Nǐ shì nǎ yī nián chūshēng de?) Which year were you born?
B: 我2005年出生的，现在18岁。(Wǒ èrlínglíngwǔ nián chūshēng de, xiànzài shíbā suì.) I was born in 2005. I’m 18 now.

The extended phrases to express “How old are you” in Chinese

Asking young people

你几岁？(Nǐ jǐ suì?)

This question means “How old are you?” and is used to ask very young children, typically under 10 years old. It’s simple, direct, and appropriate for kids.

e.g.

A: 小朋友，你几岁啦？(Xiǎopéngyǒu, nǐ jǐ suì la?) Little one, how old are you?
B: 我今年6岁。(Wǒ jīnnián liù suì.) I’m 6 years old this year.

A: 你几岁了？(Nǐ jǐ suì le?) How old are you?
B: 我快8岁了！(Wǒ kuài bā suì le!) I’ll be 8 soon!

A: 宝宝，你几岁呀？(Bǎobǎo, nǐ jǐ suì ya?) Baby, how old are you?
B: 三岁！(Sān suì!) Three!

你多大了？(Nǐ duōdàle?)

This means “How old are you?” and is more flexible, suitable for asking teenagers or young adults. It’s less formal than other options.

e.g.

A: 你多大了？(Nǐ duōdà le?) How old are you?
B: 我今年18岁。(Wǒ jīnnián shíbā suì.) I’m 18 this year.

A: 你多大了？(Nǐ duōdà le?) How old are you?
B: 我刚上大学。(Wǒ gāng shàng dàxué.) I just started college.

A: 你多大了？(Nǐ duōdà le?) How old are you?
B: 我16岁，还在读高中。(Wǒ shíliù suì, hái zài dú gāozhōng.) I’m 16, still in high school.

你多大年纪了？(Nǐ duōdà niánjì le?)

This is a more respectful way to ask about age, typically used for middle-aged or older adults, not children. It conveys politeness and care.

e.g.

A: 请问，您多大年纪了？(Qǐngwèn, nín duōdà niánjì le?) May I ask how old you are?
B: 我今年50岁了。(Wǒ jīnnián wǔshí suì le.) I’m 50 this year.

A: 您多大年纪了？(Nín duōdà niánjì le?) How old are you?
B: 我已经退休了，今年55岁。(Wǒ yǐjīng tuìxiū le, jīnnián wǔshíwǔ suì.) I’m retired now. I’m 55 this year.

A: 阿姨，您多大年纪了？(Āyí, nín duōdà niánjì le?) Auntie, how old are you?
B: 我刚过60岁生日。(Wǒ gāng guò liùshí suì shēngrì.) I just turned 60.

Asking older people

您高寿？(Nín gāoshòu?)

This is a highly respectful way to ask, “How old are you?” It’s used exclusively for elderly people, often those over 70. “高寿” literally means “high age,” implying honor and respect.

e.g.

A: 老爷爷，您高寿？(Lǎoyéyé, nín gāoshòu?) Grandpa, may I ask your age?
B: 我今年80岁了。(Wǒ jīnnián bāshí suì le.) I’m 80 this year.

A: 请问您高寿？(Qǐngwèn nín gāoshòu?) May I ask your age?
B: 我今年刚过90岁生日。(Wǒ jīnnián gāng guò jiǔshí suì shēngrì.) I just celebrated my 90th birthday.

A: 您高寿了？(Nín gāoshòu le?) How old are you?
B: 我91岁，身体还不错。(Wǒ jiǔshíyī suì, shēntǐ hái bùcuò.) I’m 91, and my health is still good.

您贵庚？(Nín guìgēng?)

This is another formal way to ask about age, often used for elders. “贵庚” means “honorable age,” showing great respect.

e.g.

A: 请问，您贵庚？(Qǐngwèn, nín guìgēng?) May I ask your age?
B: 我70整。(Wǒ qīshí zhěng.) I’m exactly 70.

A: 您贵庚了？(Nín guìgēng le?) How old are you?
B: 快80了。(Kuài bāshí le.) Almost 80.

A: 阿姨，您贵庚？(Āyí, nín guìgēng?) Auntie, how old are you?
B: 我62岁。(Wǒ liùshí’èr suì.) I’m 62.

Asking someone’s zodiac sign

你属什么？(Nǐ shǔ shénme?)

This means “What is your zodiac sign?” It’s a casual and common way to figure out someone’s approximate age without directly asking.

e.g.

A: 你属什么？(Nǐ shǔ shénme?) What’s your zodiac sign?
B: 我属猪。(Wǒ shǔ zhū.) I’m a pig (zodiac).

A: 你属什么的？(Nǐ shǔ shénme de?) What’s your zodiac sign?
B: 属龙的。(Shǔ lóng de.) I’m a dragon.

A: 你属什么？(Nǐ shǔ shénme?) What’s your zodiac sign?
B: 属兔的，1987年生的。(Shǔ tù de, yījiǔbāqī nián shēng de.) I’m a rabbit, born in 1987.

你的生肖是什么？(Nǐ de shēngxiào shì shénme? ) / 你的属相是什么？(Nǐ de shǔxiàng shì shénme?)

Both phrases mean “What is your zodiac sign?” but these are more formal and polite. “生肖” (shēngxiào) and “属相” (shǔxiàng) both refer to the Chinese zodiac.

e.g.

A: 请问，您的生肖是什么？(Qǐngwèn, nín de shēngxiào shì shénme?) May I ask what your zodiac sign is?
B: 我属虎。(Wǒ shǔ hǔ.) I’m a tiger.

A: 你的属相是什么？(Nǐ de shǔxiàng shì shénme?) What’s your zodiac sign?
B: 属蛇。(Shǔ shé.) I’m a snake.

A: 你的生肖是什么？(Nǐ de shēngxiào shì shénme?) What is your zodiac sign?
B: 属狗的，我1994年生的。(Shǔ gǒu de, wǒ yījiǔjiǔsì nián shēng de.) I’m a dog. I was born in 1994.