Talking about age is a common part of everyday conversation. You can ask someone how old they are, say your own age, or talk about different stages of life. Here are the most important English words and phrases for talking about age.
Key Words for Age
These are the basic English words you need to talk about age, including the numbers for common ages and the main nouns for people at different life stages.
| English | English Example | Spanish Example | English Plural | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| year | She is ten years old. | Ella tiene diez años. | years | Used to count age. |
| old | I am twenty years old. | Tengo veinte años. | N/A | Used after a number to describe age. |
| child | The child is five years old. | El niño tiene cinco años. | children | A young person, usually under 12. |
| teenager | He is a teenager. | Él es un adolescente. | teenagers | Someone between 13 and 19 years old. |
| adult | Adults can vote. | Los adultos pueden votar. | adults | A person who is fully grown or over 18. |
| baby | The baby is sleeping. | El bebé está durmiendo. | babies | A very young child, usually under 1. |
| toddler | The toddler is walking. | El niño pequeño está caminando. | toddlers | A child who is just learning to walk (1–3 years old). |
| senior | My grandfather is a senior. | Mi abuelo es un anciano. | seniors | An older adult, often over 65. |
| age | What is your age? | ¿Cuál es tu edad? | N/A | A noun meaning how old someone is. |
The ____ is sleeping.
baby
'Baby' refers to a very young child, usually under 1 year old, who may spend much time sleeping.
Useful Phrases
Here are the most common English phrases for asking and answering questions about age.
| English | English Example | Spanish Example | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| How old are you? | How old are you? | ¿Cuántos años tienes? | The most common way to ask about age. |
| I’m ... years old. | I’m 25 years old. | Tengo 25 años. | The standard way to say your age. |
| What’s your age? | What’s your age? | ¿Cuál es tu edad? | A more formal way to ask about age. |
| At what age ...? | At what age do you learn to drive? | ¿A qué edad aprendes a conducir? | Used to ask about the typical age for something. |
| I was born in ... | I was born in 2000. | Nací en 2000. | Used to talk about your birth year. |
Age Ranges and Stages
These words describe different periods of life. They help you talk about people of different ages in English.
| English | English Example | Spanish Example | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| infant | The infant is crying. | El bebé está llorando. | Very young baby. |
| toddler | The toddler is playing. | El niño pequeño está jugando. | Age 1–3 years. |
| child | The child goes to school. | El niño va a la escuela. | Age 4–12 years. |
| preteen | Preteens are 9 to 12 years old. | Los preadolescentes tienen 9 a 12 años. | Just before teenage years. |
| teenager | Teenagers like music. | A los adolescentes les gusta la música. | Age 13–19 years. |
| young adult | She is a young adult. | Ella es una joven adulta. | Age 20–30 years. |
| adult | Adults work full time. | Los adultos trabajan tiempo completo. | Age 18 and older. |
| middle-aged | He is middle-aged. | Él es de mediana edad. | Age 40–60 years. |
| senior | Seniors get discounts. | Los ancianos tienen descuentos. | Age 65 and older. |
| elderly | The elderly need care. | Los ancianos necesitan cuidado. | Another word for older adults. |
Talking about age in English is simple once you know the key words and phrases. You can ask questions, give your own age, and talk about different life stages with confidence.
The toddler is ____.
playing
Toddlers, aged 1–3, are often active and playing.
____ get discounts.
Seniors
Seniors, typically age 65 and older, often get discounts.
Flashcards (1 of 24)
- Notes: Used to count age.
- English: year
- English Example: She is ten years old.
- English Plural: years
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
