This page covers the essential vocabulary and grammar for talking about age in French. You’ll learn how to ask and answer questions about age, use the verb avoir correctly, and follow simple rules for expressing your age.
Age Vocabulary
The most important word for talking about age in French is âge (age). You also need the numbers to say how old someone is. Here are the basic words:
- âge — age
- ans — years (plural)
- an — year (singular, used with 1)
- jeune — young
- vieux / vieille — old (masc./fem.)
- âge moyen — middle age
Asking and Answering Questions
The standard question to ask someone’s age in French is Quel âge as-tu? (informal) or Quel âge avez-vous? (formal). It literally means “What age do you have?” because French uses the verb avoir (to have) instead of être (to be).
Examples:
- Quel âge as-tu? — How old are you? (informal)
- Quel âge avez-vous? — How old are you? (formal)
- J’ai 20 ans. — I’m 20 years old.
- Il a 15 ans. — He is 15 years old.
Grammar: Using Avoir + Number + Ans
To say your age, use this simple formula:
J’ai [number] ans.
Example: J’ai 20 ans. (I am 20 years old.)
Note: Always use ans (plural) except when the number is 1, in which case use an (singular): J’ai 1 an.
Describing Age Groups
- un bébé — a baby
- un enfant — a child
- un adolescent / une adolescente — a teenager
- un adulte — an adult
- une personne âgée — an elderly person
How do you say 'child' in French?
un enfant
“un enfant” means “a child.” “bébé” means baby, “adulte” means adult, and “adolescent” means teenager.
What is the French word for 'an elderly person'?
une personne âgée
“une personne âgée” is the polite French term for “an elderly person.” While “vieille” means old, it’s less formal.
Examples of Usage
Example conversations:
A: Quel âge as-tu? / Quel âge avez-vous?
B: J’ai 30 ans.
A: Elle a quel âge?
B: Elle a 25 ans.
Summary
- To ask someone’s age, say Quel âge as-tu? (informal) or Quel âge avez-vous? (formal).
- To answer, say J’ai [number] ans.
- Use an for 1 year old, ans for all other numbers.
- Use avoir (to have) + number + ans to express age.
Now you know how to ask and talk about age in French — a fundamental part of everyday conversation!
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
