目錄
In Japanese, age is generally expressed as a number followed by 「歳（さい）」, but the pronunciation does not always follow the usual reading of the number. 「一歳」 is pronounced 「いっさい」, 「八歳」 is 「はっさい」, and 「二十歳」 is commonly read as 「はたち」. To ask how old someone is, you use 「何歳（なんさい）」.
The numbers themselves are not difficult, but adding 「歳」 introduces several pronunciations that need to be memorized separately. In everyday conversation, you will also encounter differences in tone between 「何歳ですか」 and 「おいくつですか」, as well as situations where 「〜歳です」 or 「〜歳になります」 is more appropriate. When traveling in Japan, it is also important to understand whether age restrictions for children's tickets and activities include the stated age, particularly when you see 「以上」, 「以下」, or 「未満」.
How Do You Say Age in Japanese? The Basic Rule Is “Number + 歳”
The basic way to express age in Japanese is 「number + 歳（さい）」. This indicates the current age of a person or animal. For example, 「三歳（さんさい）」 means three years old, while 「十五歳（じゅうごさい）」 means fifteen years old. In a sentence, you can usually add 「です」 to form 「〜歳です」 and state someone's current age.
However, the pronunciation of a number can change when 「歳」 is added. 「一歳」 is pronounced 「いっさい」, and 「八歳」 is pronounced 「はっさい」. The small 「っ」 in these readings represents a sokuon, or geminate consonant, which involves a brief pause in articulation. 「十歳」 also has two accepted readings, 「じゅっさい／じっさい」, rather than simply combining 「じゅう」 and 「さい」.
「二十歳」 has the distinctive reading 「はたち」, which is commonly used when talking about being twenty years old. At twenty-one, the pronunciation returns to the regular number pattern: 「にじゅういっさい」. When learning how to express age in Japanese, it helps to start with the basic 「number + 歳」 structure, then pay attention to consonant changes and the special pronunciation for age twenty.
- Example: 弟は三歳です。
Kana: おとうとは さんさいです。
Translation: My younger brother is three years old.
「三歳」 follows the straightforward pronunciation 「さん＋さい」, with no special sound changes. It is one of the most basic Japanese age expressions. - Example: 娘は八歳です。
Kana: むすめは はっさいです。
Translation: My daughter is eight years old.
「八」 is pronounced 「はち」 on its own, but becomes 「はっさい」 when followed by 「歳」. Pay particular attention to the geminate consonant in the middle. - Example: 姉は二十歳です。
Kana: あねは はたちです。
Translation: My older sister is twenty years old.
「二十歳」 is commonly pronounced 「はたち」, unlike the regular number-plus-「歳」 pattern. This special reading applies only to age twenty; it is not carried over to twenty-one.
How Do You Say Age in Japanese? The Basic Rule Is “Number + 歳”
The Japanese pattern for expressing age is 「number + 歳（さい）」. Place the number representing the age directly before 「歳」, without inserting a particle. For example, 「三歳（さんさい）」「十四歳（じゅうよんさい）」「二十五歳（にじゅうごさい）」 all follow this structure. Numbers may be written using kanji or Arabic numerals, so 「三歳」 and 「3歳」 have the same pronunciation.
Some pronunciations change when 「歳」 is added. 「一歳」 is pronounced 「いっさい」, 「八歳」 is 「はっさい」, and 「十歳」 can be read as 「じゅっさい／じっさい」. 「二十歳」 also has the special reading 「はたち」. These changes appear in compound numbers as well, such as 「二十一歳（にじゅういっさい）」 and 「二十八歳（にじゅうはっさい）」.
Once the complete age expression has been formed, elements such as 「です」「に」 and 「の」 can be added according to the sentence structure. Examples include 「二十歳です」「二十歳になります」 and 「二十歳の学生」. To express an age range, 「以上」「以下」 and 「未満」 are also attached directly after 「〜歳」.
| Connection type | Structure | Example | Note |
| Basic numbers | Number + 歳 | 三歳（さんさい） | No particle is inserted between the number and 「歳」 |
| Numbers ending in one | Number + 歳 | 二十一歳（にじゅういっさい） | A geminate consonant appears when 「一」 is followed by 「歳」 |
| Numbers ending in eight | Number + 歳 | 十八歳（じゅうはっさい） | A geminate consonant appears when 「八」 is followed by 「歳」 |
| Multiples of ten | Number + 十歳 | 三十歳（さんじゅっさい） | A geminate consonant usually appears where 「十」 meets 「歳」 |
| Special case: age twenty | 二十 + 歳 | 二十歳（はたち） | Commonly read as 「はたち」, but 「にじゅっさい／にじっさい」 are also possible |
| Asking someone's age | 何 + 歳 | 何歳（なんさい） | 「何」 is attached directly to 「歳」 |
| Sentence ending | Number + 歳 + です | 十五歳です | 「です」 follows the complete age expression |
| Connecting to a verb | Number + 歳 + に + なります | 二十歳になります | 「に」 is required between 「歳」 and 「なります」 |
| Modifying a noun | Number + 歳 + の + noun | 八歳の弟 | 「の」 connects the age to the following noun |
| Age ranges | Number + 歳 + 以上／以下／未満 | 十八歳以上 | The range expression follows 「歳」 directly |
Connecting 「〜歳」 ① | Add 「歳」 Directly to the Number Without a Particle
The most basic structure is 「number + 歳」. The number can be a single digit from one to nine, a number in the teens or twenties, or a larger compound number. Regardless of how many digits it contains, the complete number is formed first, followed directly by 「歳」.
For example, 「十四歳」 consists of 「十四＋歳」, and 「二十五歳」 consists of 「二十五＋歳」. There is no need to insert 「の」 or any other particle between the number and 「歳」. Apart from numbers with special pronunciations, most ages can be read by adding 「さい」 to the regular reading of the number.
- Example: 妹は三歳です。
Kana: いもうとは さんさいです。
Translation: My younger sister is three years old.
「三歳」 consists of 「三＋歳」 and is pronounced 「さんさい」. No additional element is needed between the number and 「歳」. - Example: 弟は十四歳です。
Kana: おとうとは じゅうよんさいです。
Translation: My younger brother is fourteen years old.
「十四」 is already a compound number. When 「歳」 is added, it is pronounced 「じゅうよんさい」, without changing the original number structure. - Example: 兄は二十五歳です。
Kana: あには にじゅうごさいです。
Translation: My older brother is twenty-five years old.
「二十五歳」 follows the structure 「二十五＋歳」 and is pronounced 「にじゅうごさい」. The same connection rule continues to apply to ages above twenty.
Connecting 「〜歳」 ② | Gemination with One, Eight, and Ten, and the Special Reading for Twenty
Although 「歳」 is always written using the same kanji, its pronunciation in combination with the preceding number is not always the same. Changes are particularly common with 「一」「八」 and 「十」. 「一歳」 is pronounced 「いっさい」, 「八歳」 is 「はっさい」, and 「十歳」 is commonly pronounced 「じゅっさい」, although 「じっさい」 is also used.
This pattern is not limited to ages one through ten. Compound numbers ending in one or eight also undergo gemination, as in 「十一歳（じゅういっさい）」「十八歳（じゅうはっさい）」 and 「二十八歳（にじゅうはっさい）」. Multiples of ten, such as thirty and forty, also undergo gemination where 「十」 connects to 「歳」.
「二十歳」 is another special case, commonly pronounced 「はたち」. This reading needs to be memorized separately. At 「二十一歳」, the pronunciation returns to 「にじゅういっさい」. You cannot simply combine 「はたち」 with another number.
- Example: 息子は一歳です。
Kana: むすこは いっさいです。
Translation: My son is one year old.
「一」 is pronounced 「いち」 on its own, but becomes 「いっさい」 when followed by 「歳」, requiring a geminate consonant in the middle. - Example: 姉は十八歳です。
Kana: あねは じゅうはっさいです。
Translation: My older sister is eighteen years old.
Because 「十八歳」 ends with 「八歳」, it is pronounced 「じゅうはっさい」. You cannot simply join 「じゅうはち」 and 「さい」 without changing the pronunciation. - Example: 兄は二十歳です。
Kana: あには はたちです。
Translation: My older brother is twenty years old.
「二十歳」 commonly uses the special reading 「はたち」. This pronunciation applies only to twenty; twenty-one is still pronounced 「にじゅういっさい」.
Connecting 「〜歳」 ③ | How Do You Add 「です」「に」「の」 and Age-Range Expressions?
After forming an age expression with 「number + 歳」, you can continue with sentence endings, particles, or nouns. These elements are placed after 「歳」 rather than between the number and 「歳」.
The simplest sentence-ending pattern is 「number + 歳 + です」, as in 「十五歳です」. When connecting to 「なります」, the particle 「に」 must be inserted to form 「number + 歳 + に + なります」. To use an age to modify a following noun, use 「number + 歳 + の + noun」, as in 「八歳の弟」.
Range expressions such as 「以上」「以下」 and 「未満」 can be attached directly after the age, producing phrases such as 「十八歳以上」「十二歳以下」 and 「二十歳未満」. If a noun follows, these can become 「十八歳以上の方」 or 「十二歳以下の子ども」.
- Example: 来月、二十一歳になります。
Kana: らいげつ、にじゅういっさいに なります。
Translation: I'll turn twenty-one next month.
The particle 「に」 is added after 「二十一歳」 before 「なります」, forming the pattern 「age + に + なる」. You cannot write 「二十一歳なります」 without 「に」. - Example: 八歳の弟がいます。
Kana: はっさいの おとうとが います。
Translation: I have an eight-year-old younger brother.
Adding 「の」 after 「八歳」 allows it to connect directly to the noun 「弟」. The complete structure is 「八歳＋の＋弟」, and the 「の」 cannot be omitted. - Example: 十八歳以上の方が対象です。
Kana: じゅうはっさいいじょうの かたが たいしょうです。
Translation: This applies to people aged eighteen and over.
「以上」 attaches directly to 「十八歳」 to form 「十八歳以上」, which then modifies 「方」 through 「の」. The connection order is 「age + 以上 + の + noun」.
How to Use Japanese Age Expressions: Self-Introductions, Birthdays, and Entry Restrictions
Japanese Age Expression ① | Use 「〜歳です」 to State Someone's Current Age
「〜歳です」 is the most basic Japanese age expression. It is used to state your own age or the current age of a family member or another person. Simply place the age before 「歳」 and add 「です」 to create a complete sentence. It is common in self-introductions, family introductions, and answers to questions about age.
This pattern describes how old someone is now. It does not specifically indicate that their birthday is approaching. For example, 「二十歳です」 means the person is currently twenty years old. If their birthday has not yet arrived and they are still nineteen, they cannot describe their current age by saying 「二十歳です」 in advance.
- Example: 妹は八歳です。
Kana: いもうとは はっさいです。
Translation: My younger sister is eight years old.
「八歳です」 directly states the younger sister's current age. 「八歳」 is pronounced 「はっさい」, and the geminate consonant in the middle cannot be omitted. - Example: 田中さんは二十五歳です。
Kana: たなかさんは にじゅうごさいです。
Translation: Mr. Tanaka is twenty-five years old.
「二十五歳です」 describes Mr. Tanaka's current age without referring to a birthday or a change in age. It is suitable for a general introduction. - Example: この猫は三歳です。
Kana: このねこは さんさいです。
Translation: This cat is three years old.
「〜歳です」 can describe the age of animals as well as people. The sentence pattern does not need to change.
Japanese Age Expression ② | Use 「〜歳になります」 and 「〜歳になりました」 to Talk About Birthdays
When discussing birthdays or getting older, Japanese often uses 「〜歳になる」. If the birthday has not yet arrived, you can say 「来月、二十歳になります」 to indicate that someone will turn twenty next month. If the birthday has already passed, the past-tense form 「〜歳になりました」 can be used to indicate that someone has reached a particular age.
The difference between 「〜歳です」 and 「〜歳になります」 concerns time. The former directly states someone's current age, while the latter describes reaching a particular age and often appears with time expressions such as 「今年」「来月」 and 「来年」. 「〜歳になりました」 is appropriate when describing a birthday that falls on the current day or a change in age that has already occurred.
- Example: 来月、二十歳になります。
Kana: らいげつ、はたちに なります。
Translation: I'll turn twenty next month.
「来月」 indicates that the birthday has not yet arrived, so 「二十歳になります」 is used rather than saying that the person is already twenty. - Example: 娘は今日、六歳になりました。
Kana: むすめは きょう、ろくさいに なりました。
Translation: My daughter turned six today.
「なりました」 is the past tense of 「なります」 and indicates that the person has already reached the age of six. 「今日」 specifies that the birthday is today. - Example: 今年、三十歳になります。
Kana: ことし、さんじゅっさいに なります。
Translation: I'll turn thirty this year.
「今年〜歳になります」 indicates that someone will reach a particular age this year. It is suitable when the birthday has not yet arrived. If this year's birthday has already passed, you can say 「今年、三十歳になりました」 instead.
Japanese Age Expression ③ | Use 「〜歳の + Noun」 to Describe Someone of a Particular Age
When placing an age before a noun, Japanese uses 「〜歳の + noun」, as in 「三歳の子ども」「八歳の弟」 and 「二十歳の学生」. Here, 「の」 connects the age to the following noun, indicating that the person is the age specified.
This structure commonly appears in family introductions, descriptions of people, and event information. Unlike 「〜歳です」, 「〜歳の」 does not complete the sentence on its own. Instead, the age provides additional information about a noun, so the person or animal being described must follow.
- Example: 三歳の子どもがいます。
Kana: さんさいの こどもが います。
Translation: I have a three-year-old child.
「三歳の子ども」 is a complete noun phrase. 「の」 places the child's age before 「子ども」. - Example: 九歳の妹はサッカーが好きです。
Kana: きゅうさいの いもうとは サッカーが すきです。
Translation: My nine-year-old younger sister likes soccer.
「九歳の妹」 indicates that the younger sister is currently nine years old, followed by the information that she likes soccer. Her age is simply supplementary information. - Example: 十八歳の学生が参加しました。
Kana: じゅうはっさいの がくせいが さんかしました。
Translation: An eighteen-year-old student participated in the event.
「十八歳の学生」 directly identifies the participant's age. This structure is common in introductions and reports about events.
Japanese Age Expression ④ | Ask Someone's Age with 「何歳ですか」 and 「おいくつですか」
To ask someone's age in Japanese, you can use 「何歳ですか」. 「何歳」 is pronounced 「なんさい」 and asks directly how old someone is. For a more polite expression, you can use 「おいくつですか」, which is common when asking about a child's age or in situations where age information needs to be confirmed.
The two questions have similar meanings, but 「おいくつですか」 sounds more tactful. However, age is still personal information. Asking someone how old they are immediately after meeting them may make them uncomfortable, even when using a polite expression. If the question is necessary to confirm eligibility for an application or obtain other required information, it is generally more appropriate to explain the reason first.
- Example: 弟さんは何歳ですか。
Kana: おとうとさんは なんさいですか。
Translation: How old is your younger brother?
「何歳ですか」 asks directly about age. Because the question clearly concerns the other person's younger brother, it is appropriate in a conversation about family members. - Example: お子さんはおいくつですか。
Kana: おこさんは おいくつですか。
Translation: How old is your child?
「おいくつですか」 is somewhat more polite than 「何歳ですか」. It is commonly used when asking about a child's age and is also appropriate in service situations that require confirmation of a child's age. - Example: 失礼ですが、年齢を確認してもよろしいですか。
Kana: しつれいですが、ねんれいを かくにんしても よろしいですか。
Translation: Excuse me, but may I confirm your age?
Rather than asking directly with 「何歳」, this sentence first asks whether it is acceptable to confirm the person's age. It is more polite than suddenly asking how old someone is when checking identity or eligibility for an event.
Japanese Age Expression ⑤ | Express Age Restrictions with 「〜歳以上」「〜歳以下」 and 「〜歳未満」
Japanese event announcements, ticket information, and facility regulations frequently use 「〜歳以上」「〜歳以下」 and 「〜歳未満」. All three expressions indicate an age range, but they differ in whether the stated age is included.
「以上」 includes the specified age, so 「十八歳以上」 means eighteen and older. 「以下」 also includes the specified age, so 「十二歳以下」 means twelve and younger. By contrast, 「未満」 excludes the specified age. Therefore, 「十八歳未満」 refers to people who have not yet turned eighteen. Someone who is already eighteen is outside this range.
- Example: 十八歳以上の方が参加できます。
Kana: じゅうはっさいいじょうの かたが さんかできます。
Translation: People aged eighteen and over can participate.
「十八歳以上」 includes eighteen-year-olds, so someone who has already turned eighteen meets the age requirement stated in the sentence. - Example: 十二歳以下は子ども料金です。
Kana: じゅうにさいいかは こどもりょうきんです。
Translation: Children's rates apply to those aged twelve and under.
「十二歳以下」 includes twelve-year-olds, so children aged twelve and younger fall within the range described. This is an example of the sentence pattern; actual ticket prices depend on each facility's regulations. - Example: 十八歳未満の方は入場できません。
Kana: じゅうはっさいみまんの かたは にゅうじょうできません。
Translation: People under eighteen are not permitted to enter.
「十八歳未満」 excludes eighteen-year-olds. Someone who has already turned eighteen is therefore not subject to this particular age restriction, although other entry requirements may still apply.
Japanese Age Expression ⑥ | Ask About Age Ranges with 「何歳から」 and 「何歳まで」
Besides asking how old someone is, Japanese uses 「何歳から」 and 「何歳まで」 to ask about the age ranges applicable to events, classes, or ticket prices. 「何歳から」 asks what age something starts at, while 「何歳まで」 asks up to what age something applies.
These patterns are particularly useful when traveling, enrolling children in classes, or registering for activities. To ask how old a child must be to participate, you can say 「何歳から参加できますか」. To ask the upper age limit for children's tickets, use 「子ども料金は何歳までですか」.
However, 「何歳まで」 asks about the endpoint of a range. Whether a particular age is included still depends on the answer or the official regulations. When a specific eligibility requirement is involved, checking whether the rule uses 「以下」 or 「未満」 provides greater precision.
- Example: この教室は何歳から参加できますか。
Kana: このきょうしつは なんさいから さんかできますか。
Translation: From what age can children participate in this class?
「何歳から」 asks about the minimum participation age. It is appropriate for checking the age requirements of children's classes, hands-on activities, and other programs. - Example: 子ども料金は何歳までですか。
Kana: こどもりょうきんは なんさいまでですか。
Translation: Up to what age does the children's rate apply?
「何歳まで」 asks about the upper limit of an age range. If the ticket information does not clearly state which ages are included, you can ask for further clarification. - Example: 三歳から十二歳までが対象です。
Kana: さんさいから じゅうにさいまでが たいしょうです。
Translation: The eligible age range is three to twelve years old.
「三歳から十二歳まで」 indicates an age range from three to twelve. Here, 「から」 marks the starting point and 「まで」 marks the endpoint. Both ages are generally included. For formal eligibility decisions, however, the method used to calculate age in the announcement should still be confirmed.
How to Use Japanese Age Expressions: Self-Introductions, Birthdays, and Entry Restrictions
Common Japanese age patterns include 「〜歳です」「〜歳になります」 and 「〜歳になりました」. All three relate to age, but they describe different points in time. 「〜歳です」 directly states someone's current age, 「〜歳になります」 indicates reaching a particular age, and 「〜歳になりました」 indicates that the person has already reached that age.
When asking someone's age, both 「何歳ですか」 and 「おいくつですか」 mean “How old are you?”, with the main difference being the level of politeness. For event registration and ticket information, the commonly used expressions 「以上」「以下」 and 「未満」 require particular attention to whether the specified age is included. Their meanings cannot be determined from the Chinese translation alone.
Comparison of Age Expressions
| Comparison | 「〜歳です」 | 「〜歳になります」 | 「〜歳になりました」 |
| Basic meaning | Currently … years old | Will turn … years old | Has turned … years old |
| What the sentence expresses | Directly states the person's current age | Describes reaching an age in the future | Describes a change in age that has already occurred |
| Time focus | Present | A future point in time | A point in time that has already passed |
| Whether the birthday has passed | Reflects the person's actual current age | Not necessarily; commonly used with future time expressions | Indicates that the person has already reached the specified age |
| Common expressions | 今、現在 | 今年、来月、来年 | 今日、昨日、先週 |
| Common situations | Self-introductions and introductions of others | Talking about an upcoming birthday | Birthdays and looking back on a birthday |
| Common Chinese meaning | … years old | Will turn … | Has turned … |
| Example | 今、十九歳です。 | 来月、二十歳になります。 | 昨日、二十歳になりました。 |
| Nuance | Currently nineteen | Will not turn twenty until next month | Turned twenty yesterday |
Comparison of Ways to Ask Someone's Age
| Comparison | 「何歳ですか」 | 「おいくつですか」 |
| Basic meaning | How old are you? | How old are you? |
| Question style | Asks directly about age | Asks about age more politely |
| Politeness | Standard polite form | More polite than 「何歳ですか」 |
| Impression | Directly confirms someone's age | Sounds more tactful |
| Common situations | Acquaintances, children, and age-related activities | Asking about children's ages or situations requiring greater politeness |
| Appropriate when meeting someone for the first time? | Depends on the situation | Still requires consideration of whether the question is appropriate |
| Common Chinese meaning | How old? | May I ask how old you are? |
| Example | 弟さんは何歳ですか。 | お子さんはおいくつですか。 |
| Nuance | Directly asks about the younger brother's age | More politely asks about the child's age |
Comparison of Age Restrictions
| Comparison | 「〜歳以上」 | 「〜歳以下」 | 「〜歳未満」 |
| Basic meaning | … years old and over | … years old and under | Under … years old |
| Range | The specified age and all older ages | The specified age and all younger ages | Ages below the specified age |
| Includes the specified age? | Yes | Yes | No |
| Interpretation for age eighteen | 十八歳以上 includes eighteen-year-olds | 十八歳以下 includes eighteen-year-olds | 十八歳未満 excludes eighteen-year-olds |
| Common situations | Minimum participation ages and eligibility requirements | Children's tickets and maximum eligible ages | Entry prohibitions and restrictions relating to minors |
| Common Chinese meaning | Eighteen and over | Eighteen and under | Under eighteen |
| Example | 十八歳以上の方が対象です。 | 十二歳以下は子ども料金です。 | 十八歳未満は入場できません。 |
| Nuance | Turning eighteen satisfies the specified age requirement | Twelve-year-olds still qualify for the children's rate | People who have not turned eighteen cannot enter |
▌「〜歳です」 vs. 「〜歳になります」 | Current Age vs. the Age Someone Will Reach
「〜歳です」 directly states someone's current age without referring to the time when their age will change. 「〜歳になります」 uses the verb 「なる」 to express reaching a particular age. It often appears with time expressions such as 「来月」 and 「来年」 to indicate an upcoming birthday.
Both patterns can describe the same person, but the timing must be consistent. For example, if someone is currently nineteen and will turn twenty next month, they can say 「十九歳です」 or 「来月、二十歳になります」. Saying 「二十歳です」 instead would mean they are already twenty, which would not match their actual age.
- Example: 私は今、十九歳です。
Kana: わたしは いま、じゅうきゅうさいです。
Translation: I'm currently nineteen years old.
「十九歳です」 describes the person's current age. Even if their birthday is next month, they are still nineteen now. - Example: 来月、二十歳になります。
Kana: らいげつ、はたちに なります。
Translation: I'll turn twenty next month.
「二十歳になります」 indicates that the person will reach the age of twenty. Together with 「来月」, it makes clear that the birthday has not yet arrived. It does not mean the person is already twenty.
▌「〜歳になります」 vs. 「〜歳になりました」 | About to Turn an Age vs. Already Having Turned That Age
Both 「〜歳になります」 and 「〜歳になりました」 come from 「〜歳になる」. The difference is whether the change in age has already occurred. 「なります」 is the non-past form and, when used with a future time expression, indicates that someone will reach a particular age. 「なりました」 is the past-tense form and indicates that the person has already reached that age.
For example, before a birthday, someone can say 「明日、二十歳になります」. After the birthday, they can say 「昨日、二十歳になりました」. The distinction cannot be understood solely by looking at the Chinese meaning of 「なる」; the verb tense and the time expressions in the sentence must also be considered.
- Example: 明日、二十歳になります。
Kana: あした、はたちに なります。
Translation: I'll turn twenty tomorrow.
「明日」 indicates that the change in age will occur tomorrow, so 「なります」 is used. At the time of speaking, the person is still nineteen. - Example: 昨日、二十歳になりました。
Kana: きのう、はたちに なりました。
Translation: I turned twenty yesterday.
「なりました」 indicates that the change in age has already occurred. With 「昨日」, it means that the person celebrated their twentieth birthday yesterday and is now twenty.
▌「何歳ですか」 vs. 「おいくつですか」 | Direct Question vs. More Polite Question
Both 「何歳ですか」 and 「おいくつですか」 ask about age, and the answers are the same. You can simply respond with 「二十歳です」「三十歳です」, and so on. The biggest difference is tone: 「何歳ですか」 is more direct, while 「おいくつですか」 sounds more polite and tactful.
However, even though 「おいくつですか」 is more polite, it still asks for personal information. When speaking to an unfamiliar adult, using a polite question does not necessarily mean the person will be comfortable answering. Both forms can be used according to the situation when checking children's tickets, confirming event eligibility, or discussing family members' ages.
- Example: 妹さんは何歳ですか。
Kana: いもうとさんは なんさいですか。
Translation: How old is your younger sister?
「何歳ですか」 asks directly about age. Because the subject is the other person's younger sister, this is natural when both speakers are discussing their families. - Example: お子さんはおいくつですか。
Kana: おこさんは おいくつですか。
Translation: How old is your child?
「おいくつですか」 is more polite and is suitable for asking a child's age or confirming a child's age in a service setting. The pattern does not change the content of the question; it simply makes the wording more tactful.
▌「何歳から」 vs. 「何歳まで」 | Starting Age vs. Ending Age
Both 「何歳から」 and 「何歳まで」 can be used to ask about age ranges, but they focus on different endpoints. 「何歳から」 asks about the minimum age, such as when a child can start participating in an activity. 「何歳まで」 asks about the upper limit, such as the oldest age at which a children's ticket can be used.
These questions frequently arise when enrolling children in classes, checking ticket prices while traveling, or registering for activities. To describe the entire applicable range, 「から」 and 「まで」 can also appear in the same expression, as in 「三歳から十二歳まで」, meaning from age three to age twelve.
- Example: この教室は何歳から参加できますか。
Kana: このきょうしつは なんさいから さんかできますか。
Translation: From what age can children participate in this class?
「何歳から」 asks about the minimum eligible age, such as whether a class accepts children starting at age three, five, or six. - Example: 子ども料金は何歳までですか。
Kana: こどもりょうきんは なんさいまでですか。
Translation: Up to what age does the children's rate apply?
「何歳まで」 asks about the upper age limit for children's rates. If you need to confirm whether twelve-year-olds can still purchase children's tickets, you can check whether the announcement says 「十二歳以下」 or 「十二歳未満」.
▌「〜歳以上」 vs. 「〜歳以下」 | Minimum Age Requirement vs. Maximum Age Limit
Both 「〜歳以上」 and 「〜歳以下」 include the specified age, but they describe ranges in opposite directions. 「十八歳以上」 means people who have turned eighteen and anyone older. 「十八歳以下」 means eighteen-year-olds and younger people.
The two expressions therefore cannot be used interchangeably. For example, 「十八歳以上の方が対象です」 means the eligible person must be at least eighteen. Changing it to 「十八歳以下の方が対象です」 would make the eligible range eighteen and under, completely changing the requirement.
- Example: 十八歳以上の方が参加できます。
Kana: じゅうはっさいいじょうの かたが さんかできます。
Translation: People aged eighteen and over can participate.
「以上」 indicates a minimum age requirement and includes eighteen-year-olds. Anyone who has already turned eighteen therefore meets this age requirement. - Example: 十二歳以下の子どもが対象です。
Kana: じゅうにさいいかの こどもが たいしょうです。
Translation: This applies to children aged twelve and under.
「以下」 indicates the maximum eligible age. Twelve-year-olds are included, but thirteen-year-olds are above the stated limit.
▌「〜歳以下」 vs. 「〜歳未満」 | Including vs. Excluding the Specified Age
Both 「〜歳以下」 and 「〜歳未満」 describe age ranges below an upper threshold. The most easily confused distinction is whether the specified age itself is included.
「十二歳以下」 includes twelve-year-olds and anyone younger, while 「十二歳未満」 excludes twelve-year-olds and refers to people who have not yet turned twelve. This distinction matters for ticket prices, entry eligibility, and event registration because changing just one word can change who qualifies.
- Example: 十二歳以下は子ども料金です。
Kana: じゅうにさいいかは こどもりょうきんです。
Translation: Children's rates apply to those aged twelve and under.
「十二歳以下」 includes twelve-year-olds. Children who have turned twelve but have not yet turned thirteen therefore still meet the age requirement described in this sentence. - Example: 十二歳未満は無料です。
Kana: じゅうにさいみまんは むりょうです。
Translation: Admission is free for children under twelve.
「十二歳未満」 excludes twelve-year-olds. An eleven-year-old qualifies, but someone who has already turned twelve is no longer eligible for free admission.
▌Differences in Nuance When Using Different Expressions in the Same Situation
Imagine you are traveling in Japan and need to confirm a child's age with a member of staff. Even when the goal is simply to find out how old the child is, you can use 「何歳ですか」「おいくつですか」 or 「年齢を確認してもよろしいですか」. Each creates a slightly different impression.
- Example: お子さんは何歳ですか。
Kana: おこさんは なんさいですか。
Translation: How old is your child?
This directly asks the child's age in a standard tone, without being particularly tactful. It is appropriate when children's ticket prices or event eligibility are already being checked. - Example: お子さんはおいくつですか。
Kana: おこさんは おいくつですか。
Translation: May I ask how old your child is?
The question is the same as in the previous sentence, but 「おいくつ」 is more polite. It sounds natural when a staff member asks a parent about their child's age. - Example: お子さんの年齢を確認してもよろしいですか。
Kana: おこさんの ねんれいを かくにんしても よろしいですか。
Translation: May I confirm your child's age?
This sentence first asks for permission to confirm the age. It sounds more cautious and is more appropriate in service settings where ticket prices or eligibility requirements need to be verified.
All three questions can be used to obtain a child's age, but 「何歳ですか」 asks directly, 「おいくつですか」 makes the question more polite, and 「年齢を確認してもよろしいですか」 asks for the other person's consent before confirming the information. In ordinary conversation, there is no need to deliberately use the last, more formal expression. When prices or eligibility requirements are involved, however, explaining the purpose of the question is more natural.
Practical Uses of Japanese Age Expressions: Self-Introductions, Birthdays, and Age Requirements
When traveling in Japan, age expressions frequently come up when buying children's tickets, participating in hands-on activities, or chatting with friends. For example, a staff member asking about a child's age might use 「おいくつですか」, while someone asking about the minimum age for an activity might use 「何歳から参加できますか」. When friends discuss birthdays, you may hear more conversational questions such as 「今年、何歳になるの？」.
However, asking someone's age is not always appropriate. Confirming eligibility for an activity with a staff member is different from asking someone how old they are immediately after meeting them. When checking ticket prices or entry restrictions, it is more natural to explain the reason for asking. When friends are already discussing birthdays, asking 「何歳になるの？」 does not sound abrupt. When answering questions about age, it is also important to remember special pronunciations such as 「八歳（はっさい）」 and 「二十歳（はたち）」. Otherwise, you might recognize the kanji but pronounce the age incorrectly.
▌Situation ① | A Staff Member Asks a Child's Age When Purchasing a Children's Ticket
A：お子さんはおいくつですか。
おこさんは おいくつですか。
How old is your child?
B：八歳です。
はっさいです。
Eight years old.
A：ありがとうございます。年齢を確認しました。
ありがとうございます。ねんれいを かくにんしました。
Thank you. I've confirmed the age.
📌 Grammar Point: 「お子さんはおいくつですか」 is a relatively polite way of asking someone's age and is suitable when staff members need to confirm children's ticket prices or event eligibility. Using 「おいくつ」 instead of 「何歳」 makes the question slightly more tactful, although both are grammatically correct. When answering, simply saying 「八歳です」 is enough; there is no need to repeat the complete question. Also, 「八歳」 must be pronounced 「はっさい」 rather than combining 「はち＋さい」 without the sound change.
▌Situation ② | Friends Discuss Birthdays and Ask How Old Someone Will Turn This Year
A：今年、何歳になるの？
ことし、なんさいに なるの？
How old will you turn this year?
B：二十歳になるよ。来月が誕生日なんだ。
はたちに なるよ。らいげつが たんじょうびなんだ。
I'll turn twenty. My birthday is next month.
A：そうなんだ！もうすぐ二十歳だね。
そうなんだ！もうすぐ はたちだね。
Oh, I see! You'll be twenty soon.
📌 Grammar Point: 「何歳になるの？」 is a conversational way for friends to ask how old someone will turn this year. It is more casual than 「何歳になりますか」. Speaker B uses 「二十歳になるよ」 to indicate that they are not yet twenty and will only reach that age after their birthday next month. If the birthday has already passed, they can say 「二十歳になったよ」 instead. In this conversation, 「二十歳」 is pronounced 「はたち」, and this special reading cannot be extended to twenty-one.
▌Situation ③ | Checking the Minimum Age When Registering for an Activity
A：このイベントは何歳から参加できますか。
このイベントは なんさいから さんかできますか。
From what age can people participate in this event?
B：十八歳以上の方が対象です。
じゅうはっさいいじょうの かたが たいしょうです。
The event is for people aged eighteen and over.
A：十七歳は参加できませんか。
じゅうななさいは さんかできませんか。
Can seventeen-year-olds not participate?
B：はい、申し訳ありませんが、十八歳未満の方は参加できません。
はい、もうしわけありませんが、じゅうはっさいみまんの かたは さんかできません。
That's correct. I'm sorry, but people under eighteen cannot participate.
📌 Grammar Point: 「何歳から参加できますか」 asks about the minimum age for participating in an activity. This is different from 「何歳ですか」, which simply asks someone's age. When the staff member answers 「十八歳以上」, it means that people who have already turned eighteen meet the age requirement. The subsequent 「十八歳未満」 refers to people who have not yet turned eighteen, so seventeen-year-olds cannot participate. These expressions describe the same age threshold from different directions. If the announcement instead said 「十八歳以下」, the meaning would be entirely different because 「以下」 includes eighteen-year-olds and younger people.
Additional Usage Notes:
- Consider the purpose of the conversation before asking someone's age. 「何歳ですか」 asks directly how old someone is, while 「おいくつですか」 is more polite. When traveling in Japan, both are natural if you need to purchase tickets, confirm a child's age, or check eligibility for an activity. However, using 「おいくつですか」 does not mean it is acceptable to ask strangers their ages indiscriminately. If there is no particular need to confirm someone's age, it is generally unnecessary to bring it up.
- Do not treat 「〜歳です」 and 「〜歳になります」 as interchangeable expressions. 「二十歳です」 means the person is already twenty, while 「来月、二十歳になります」 means they will not turn twenty until next month. If the birthday has already passed, 「二十歳になりました」 can be used. When discussing birthdays or introducing yourself during a trip, identifying whether you are talking about your current age or an age you will soon reach will help you choose the appropriate pattern.
- When you encounter an age restriction, check whether the stated age is included. 「十八歳以上」 includes eighteen-year-olds, and 「十八歳以下」 also includes eighteen-year-olds, but 「十八歳未満」 does not. In addition, although Japan has lowered the age of adulthood under its Civil Code to eighteen, the legal age for drinking and smoking remains twenty. When you see a notice such as 「20歳未満」, you should follow the age specified in the actual regulation rather than automatically applying the rule that adulthood begins at eighteen.
Understanding Japanese 「何歳／〜歳」 Compared with Korean 「몇 살／〜살」
Both Japanese 「何歳（なんさい）」 and Korean 「몇 살」 can be used to ask how old someone is. The Japanese structure 「number + 歳」 can also be compared with the Korean structure 「native Korean numeral + 살」. For example, Japanese 「二十歳」 is commonly pronounced 「はたち」, while twenty years old in Korean is 「스무 살」. Both languages change how ages are pronounced depending on the number, but the rules differ. You cannot simply replace Japanese numbers with Sino-Korean numerals.
In actual conversation, Japanese 「何歳ですか」 corresponds to Korean 「몇 살이에요?」. The more polite 「おいくつですか」 may correspond to 「몇 살이세요?」 or 「연세가 어떻게 되세요?」, depending on whom you are addressing. However, 「연세」 is an honorific noun used for an older person's age, conveying greater respect than the ordinary expression 「몇 살」. Korean also commonly uses 「살」 when expressing ages in everyday conversation, while formal announcements and age restrictions generally combine Sino-Korean numerals with 「세」. This is another difference from Japanese.
◆ Similar Expression ①: 「何歳」 and 「몇 살」
Japanese 「何歳」 and Korean 「몇 살」 both mean “how old.” They can be used to ask someone's age or combined with other elements to ask questions such as the minimum age for participating in an activity or the maximum applicable age.
Japanese 「何歳」 is pronounced 「なんさい」. Korean 「몇 살」 consists of the question word 「몇」 and the age-counting unit 「살」. The two expressions are closely related in meaning, but Korean also requires attention to the politeness of the sentence ending. For example, 「몇 살이에요?」 uses the standard polite style, while 「몇 살이야?」 is appropriate for close peers or younger people.
- Example: 남동생은 몇 살이에요?
Romanization: nam-dong-saeng-eun myeot sal-i-e-yo?
Translation: How old is your younger brother?
Japanese: 弟さんは何歳ですか。
Kana: おとうとさんは なんさいですか。
Korean 「몇 살이에요?」 and Japanese 「何歳ですか」 both ask directly about age. Because the younger brother is clearly identified as the subject, both languages can naturally use their standard age questions here. - Example: 이 수업은 몇 살부터 들을 수 있어요?
Romanization: i su-eo-beun myeot sal-bu-teo deu-reul su i-sseo-yo?
Translation: From what age can children take this class?
Japanese: このクラスは何歳から受講できますか。
Kana: このクラスは なんさいから じゅこうできますか。
Japanese 「何歳から」 and Korean 「몇 살부터」 both ask about the starting point of an age range. Here, the question concerns the minimum age for joining a class, not the age of a particular person. - Example: 어린이 요금은 몇 살까지예요?
Romanization: eo-rin-i yo-geum-eun myeot sal-kka-ji-ye-yo?
Translation: Up to what age does the children's rate apply?
Japanese: 子ども料金は何歳までですか。
Kana: こどもりょうきんは なんさいまでですか。
Japanese 「何歳まで」 and Korean 「몇 살까지」 both ask about the endpoint of an age range. However, whether the stated age is actually included depends on whether the ticket information uses an expression meaning “and under” or “under,” such as 「以下」 or 「未満」.
◆ Similar Expression ②: 「おいくつですか」 and 「연세가 어떻게 되세요?」
Japanese 「おいくつですか」 and Korean 「연세가 어떻게 되세요?」 can both be used to ask someone's age politely, but they do not convey exactly the same degree of respect.
Japanese 「おいくつですか」 can be used with adults and is also common when asking about children's ages. It is not limited to addressing older people. By contrast, Korean 「연세」 is an honorific noun corresponding to 「나이」 (age), generally used when asking about or describing an older person's age. If you simply want to ask someone of a similar age politely, Korean 「몇 살이세요?」 or 「나이가 어떻게 되세요?」 is usually more appropriate. There is no particular need to use 「연세」.
- Example: 할아버지는 연세가 어떻게 되세요?
Romanization: hal-a-beo-ji-neun yeon-se-ga eo-tteo-ke doe-se-yo?
Translation: May I ask how old your grandfather is?
Japanese: おじいさまはおいくつですか。
Kana: おじいさまは おいくつですか。
Korean uses 「연세」 to show respect when referring to an older person's age, while Japanese uses 「おいくつですか」 to ask politely. Both are appropriate when it is necessary to ask an older person's age, although the Korean expression has a more explicit honorific quality. - Example: 실례지만, 연세가 어떻게 되세요?
Romanization: sil-lye-ji-man, yeon-se-ga eo-tteo-ke doe-se-yo?
Translation: Excuse me, but may I ask your age?
Japanese: 失礼ですが、おいくつですか。
Kana: しつれいですが、おいくつですか。
Both sentences add a polite expression before asking about age. Japanese uses 「失礼ですが」, while Korean uses 「실례지만」. Both acknowledge that the question may be intrusive. However, these phrases do not make asking someone's age appropriate in every situation; the purpose of the conversation still matters. - Example: 아버님은 올해 연세가 어떻게 되세요?
Romanization: a-beo-nim-eun ol-hae yeon-se-ga eo-tteo-ke doe-se-yo?
Translation: May I ask how old your father is this year?
Japanese: お父様は今年おいくつですか。
Kana: おとうさまは ことし おいくつですか。
Korean 「아버님」 and 「연세」 both convey respect toward an older person, while Japanese expresses politeness through 「お父様」 and 「おいくつ」. This kind of question is appropriate when family members are already being discussed and there is a genuine need to know the other person's father's age.
◆ Similar Expression ③: 「〜歳です」 and 「〜살이에요」
Japanese 「〜歳です」 and Korean 「〜살이에요」 both express someone's current age. Japanese generally uses 「number + 歳」 directly, while everyday Korean commonly uses a native Korean numeral followed by 「살」. For example, Japanese 「八歳」 corresponds to Korean 「여덟 살」, and 「二十歳」 corresponds to 「스무 살」.
The biggest difference here is how the numbers are pronounced. Japanese 「二十歳」 is commonly read as 「はたち」, while Korean uses 「스무 살」 for twenty years old. At twenty-one, the Korean expression changes to 「스물한 살」. The Korean form 「스무」 is used when expressing twenty on its own directly before a counter. Therefore, twenty-one cannot be expressed as 「스무한 살」.
- Example: 친구는 스무 살이에요.
Romanization: chin-gu-neun seu-mu sal-i-e-yo.
Translation: My friend is twenty years old.
Japanese: 友達は二十歳です。
Kana: ともだちは はたちです。
Japanese 「二十歳」 is commonly pronounced 「はたち」, while Korean combines the native numeral 「스무」 with 「살」. Both sentences describe someone's current age, not the age they are about to reach. - Example: 사촌은 스물한 살이에요.
Romanization: sa-chon-eun seu-mul-han sal-i-e-yo.
Translation: My cousin is twenty-one years old.
Japanese: いとこは二十一歳です。
Kana: いとこは にじゅういっさいです。
Japanese twenty-one follows the regular number pattern and is pronounced 「にじゅういっさい」, while Korean uses 「스물한 살」. Korean retains the form 「스물」 here rather than using 「스무」, which appears when expressing twenty years old. - Example: 우리 고양이는 여덟 살이에요.
Romanization: u-ri go-yang-i-neun yeo-deol sal-i-e-yo.
Translation: Our cat is eight years old.
Japanese: うちの猫は八歳です。
Kana: うちのねこは はっさいです。
Japanese 「八歳」 undergoes gemination and is pronounced 「はっさい」. Korean 「여덟 살」 follows the pronunciation rules of native Korean numerals. Both languages can use their age expressions for animals as well as people.
◆ Similar Expression ④: 「〜歳になります」 and 「〜살이 돼요」
Japanese 「〜歳になります」 and Korean 「〜살이 돼요」 can both indicate that someone will turn a particular age or, depending on context, describe reaching that age. Japanese uses 「なる」, while Korean uses 「되다」. Both verbs convey a change of state.
If a birthday has not yet arrived, Japanese can use 「来月、二十歳になります」, while Korean can use 「다음 달에 스무 살이 돼요」. If the birthday has already passed, Japanese uses 「〜歳になりました」, and Korean uses 「〜살이 됐어요」.
In both languages, the time expression is necessary to determine whether the sentence refers to a future birthday or one that has already occurred. You cannot automatically translate 「なる」 and 「되다」 as “become” without considering the context.
- Example: 저는 내년에 스무 살이 돼요.
Romanization: jeo-neun nae-nyeo-ne seu-mu sal-i dwae-yo.
Translation: I'll turn twenty next year.
Japanese: 来年、二十歳になります。
Kana: らいねん、はたちに なります。
Japanese uses 「二十歳になります」, while Korean uses 「스무 살이 돼요」. Both indicate that the person will reach the age of twenty next year. Neither sentence means the person is already twenty. - Example: 아들은 어제 열 살이 됐어요.
Romanization: a-deu-reun eo-je yeol sal-i dwae-sseo-yo.
Translation: My son turned ten yesterday.
Japanese: 息子は昨日、十歳になりました。
Kana: むすこは きのう、じゅっさいに なりました。
Korean 「됐어요」 is the past tense of 「되다」, and Japanese 「なりました」 is also past tense. Both sentences indicate that the birthday has already passed and the person has now reached the age of ten. - Example: 딸은 내일 한 살이 돼요.
Romanization: ttal-eun nae-il han sal-i dwae-yo.
Translation: My daughter will turn one tomorrow.
Japanese: 娘は明日、一歳になります。
Kana: むすめは あした、いっさいに なります。
Japanese 「一歳」 is pronounced 「いっさい」, while Korean uses 「한 살」 for one year old. Here, both 「明日」 and 「내일」 indicate that the birthday has not yet arrived, so the sentence patterns describe reaching an age in the future.
◆ Similar Expression ⑤: 「〜歳以上／以下／未満」 and 「〜세 이상／이하／미만」
Japanese 「〜歳以上」「〜歳以下」 and 「〜歳未満」 are very similar in meaning to Korean 「〜세 이상」「〜세 이하」 and 「〜세 미만」. They respectively indicate ages at or above, at or below, and below a specified age.
However, formal Korean age notation generally uses Sino-Korean numerals followed by 「세」 rather than the native Korean numerals and 「살」 used in everyday speech. For example, Japanese 「十八歳以上」 corresponds to Korean 「18세 이상」, where 「18」 is read as 「십팔」. This form is common in announcements, event eligibility requirements, ticket information, and other age restrictions.
The rules for interpreting these ranges are the same in both languages. 「以上」 and 「以下」 include the specified age, while 「未満／미만」 exclude it.
- Example: 18세 이상만 참가할 수 있어요.
Romanization: sip-pal se i-sang-man cham-ga-hal su i-sseo-yo.
Translation: Only people aged eighteen and over can participate.
Japanese: 十八歳以上の方だけ参加できます。
Kana: じゅうはっさいいじょうの かただけ さんかできます。
Japanese 「十八歳以上」 and Korean 「18세 이상」 both include eighteen-year-olds. Korean combines the Sino-Korean numeral 「십팔」 with 「세」 here, unlike the everyday expression 「열여덟 살」. - Example: 12세 이하는 어린이 요금이에요.
Romanization: sip-i se i-ha-neun eo-rin-i yo-geum-i-e-yo.
Translation: Children's rates apply to those aged twelve and under.
Japanese: 十二歳以下は子ども料金です。
Kana: じゅうにさいいかは こどもりょうきんです。
Japanese 「以下」 and Korean 「이하」 both include the specified age, so twelve-year-olds remain within the applicable range. This is an example of a ticket-pricing pattern; actual age restrictions depend on each facility's announcements. - Example: 20세 미만은 입장할 수 없어요.
Romanization: i-sip se mi-ma-neun ip-jang-hal su eop-seo-yo.
Translation: People under twenty are not permitted to enter.
Japanese: 二十歳未満は入場できません。
Kana: はたちみまんは にゅうじょうできません。
Japanese 「未満」 and Korean 「미만」 both exclude the specified age. Therefore, someone who has already turned twenty is outside the age range covered by this restriction. Both languages apply the same logic, but Japanese 「二十歳」 can be pronounced 「はたち」, while Korean 「20세」 is pronounced 「이십 세」.
◆ Key Differences from Korean Age Expressions:
Japanese 「何歳」 and Korean 「몇 살」 can both be used to ask someone's age. They can also combine with expressions marking the beginning or end of a range, forming 「何歳から／몇 살부터」 and 「何歳まで／몇 살까지」. However, Korean generally uses the respectful term 「연세」 when asking an older person's age, while Japanese 「おいくつ」 is used with a broader range of people and is not limited to older adults.
When stating someone's current age, Japanese uses 「number + 歳」, while everyday Korean commonly uses 「native Korean numeral + 살」. The reading 「はたち」 for Japanese 「二十歳」 is a special pronunciation, whereas Korean 「스무 살」 involves a change in the form of the native numeral before a counter. At twenty-one, Japanese uses 「にじゅういっさい」, while Korean uses 「스물한 살」. Neither language simply carries over the special form used for twenty.
In addition, formal Korean age notation commonly uses 「Sino-Korean numeral + 세」, as in 「18세 이상」 and 「20세 미만」. This differs from Japanese, which uses 「歳」 in both everyday speech and formal announcements. When comparing Japanese and Korean age expressions, it is therefore important to consider not only their meanings in Chinese but also their numeral systems, levels of politeness, and whether a sentence concerns someone's current age, a change in age on their birthday, or an age restriction.
When learning to pronounce ages in Japanese, start by memorizing a few numbers that are easy to mispronounce. 「一歳」「八歳」 and 「十歳」 undergo gemination, while 「二十歳」 is commonly pronounced 「はたち」. At 「二十一歳」, the pronunciation returns to the regular number pattern. As for 「歳」 and 「才」, both have the same pronunciation when used to express age. In writing, 「歳」 can generally be used as the standard form.
In actual conversation, use 「〜歳です」 to state someone's current age and 「〜歳になります」 to talk about the age they will reach this year. When asking someone else's age, 「何歳ですか」 is more direct, while 「おいくつですか」 is more polite, although you should still consider whether the question is appropriate. When reading ticket information or event regulations, check the ranges indicated by 「以上」「以下」 and 「未満」. In particular, although the age of adulthood in Japan is now eighteen, the legal minimum age for drinking and smoking remains twenty. Age restrictions cannot be determined solely by whether someone is legally an adult.
FAQs
The basic structure is 「number + 歳（さい）」, as in 「三歳（さんさい）」 and 「十五歳（じゅうごさい）」. To state someone's current age, add 「です」 to form 「〜歳です」.
When used as a unit of age, 「歳」 is pronounced 「さい」. However, its pronunciation changes when combined with certain numbers, as in 「一歳（いっさい）」 and 「八歳（はっさい）」.
「一歳」 is pronounced 「いっさい」, not simply 「いちさい」. The small 「っ」 represents a geminate consonant, requiring a brief pause in articulation.
「八歳」 is pronounced 「はっさい」, not 「はちさい」. The same gemination occurs in ages such as 「十八歳（じゅうはっさい）」 and 「二十八歳（にじゅうはっさい）」.
「十歳」 is commonly pronounced 「じゅっさい」, although 「じっさい」 is also used. Thirty can be pronounced 「さんじゅっさい」, and forty can be pronounced 「よんじゅっさい」.
「二十歳」 has the special reading 「はたち」, a traditional Japanese expression for the age of twenty. It can also be pronounced 「にじゅっさい／にじっさい」, but 「はたち」 is very common in everyday conversation about turning twenty.
「二十一歳」 is pronounced 「にじゅういっさい」, not 「はたちいっさい」. 「はたち」 refers only to twenty, and from twenty-one onward, the regular number-plus-「歳」 pronunciation pattern resumes.
「何歳」 is pronounced 「なんさい」 and means “how old.” A common question is 「何歳ですか」, which asks someone's age. It can also be combined with 「から」 or 「まで」 to ask about age ranges.
Both ask someone's age. 「何歳ですか」 is more direct, while 「おいくつですか」 is more polite and tactful. However, age is personal information, so the appropriateness of the question still depends on the situation, even when polite wording is used.
「〜歳です」 directly states someone's current age. For example, 「十九歳です」 means the person is currently nineteen. 「〜歳になります」 expresses reaching a particular age and, when combined with a future time expression such as 「来月」, can mean that someone will soon turn that age.
When used with a future time expression, 「〜歳になります」 indicates that someone will turn a particular age. 「〜歳になりました」 indicates that the person has already reached that age. For example, 「来月、二十歳になります」 means turning twenty next month, while 「昨日、二十歳になりました」 means having turned twenty yesterday.
When expressing age, 「歳」 is the standard spelling, while 「才」 can be used as a simplified substitute. For example, 「八歳」 and 「八才」 are both pronounced 「はっさい」. However, 「才」 cannot replace 「歳」 in every word containing that character. For instance, 「歳月」 cannot be written as 「才月」.
「何歳から」 asks what age something starts at, as in 「何歳から参加できますか」. 「何歳まで」 asks what age something applies up to, as in 「子ども料金は何歳までですか」.
Both 「以上」 and 「以下」 include the specified age, while 「未満」 excludes it. For example, 「十八歳以上」 includes eighteen-year-olds, and 「十八歳以下」 also includes eighteen-year-olds. 「十八歳未満」 refers to people who have not yet turned eighteen.
Yes. On April 1, 2022, Japan lowered the age of adulthood under its Civil Code from twenty to eighteen. However, the legal age for drinking and smoking remains twenty. Not all age restrictions have been changed to eighteen.
Both can be used to ask someone's age. Japanese 「何歳ですか」 corresponds to Korean 「몇 살이에요?」. However, everyday Korean age expressions generally use native Korean numerals with 「살」. For example, twenty years old is 「스무 살」, which follows a different numerical pattern from Japanese 「二十歳（はたち）」.
Japanese 「おいくつ」 is a more polite way of asking someone's age and can be used when asking adults or children. Korean 「연세」 is an honorific noun meaning “age” and is mainly used for older people. The two expressions differ in their degree of respect and the people they are typically used with.
「살」 is primarily combined with native Korean numerals and is common in everyday conversation, as in 「스무 살」. 「세」 is primarily combined with Sino-Korean numerals and often appears in formal age notation, as in 「20세 이상」. Both express age, but they differ in the numeral systems they use and the situations where they appear.