〜歳

N5

〜歳

-sai

〜歳 (age)

N5

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Explanation

〜歳 (さい) is the counter for age. It is used to say how old someone is. The age 20 has a special reading: はたち. Key points: • Use number + 歳 to state age • 20 years old = はたち (special) • Question: 何歳ですか (How old?) • Polite: おいくつですか (more polite) Example: “私は二十歳です” means “I am 20 years old.” “何歳ですか” means “How old are you?” The reading さい is regular for most numbers. Remember the special form はたち for 20. Practice by stating ages: 十八歳, 二十二歳, 三十歳.

Structure

Pattern
Number + 歳
NumberAge number
Examples: 十八, 二十, 三十
Age counter
Examples:

Examples

Example 1
私は二十歳です。
Watashi wa hatachi desu.
I am 20 years old.
Breakdown
I
topic marker
二十歳20 years old
ですis
Note: Special reading
Example 2
兄は十八歳です。
Ani wa juuhassai desu.
My older brother is 18 years old.
Breakdown
older brother
topic marker
十八歳18 years old
ですis
Note: Age statement
Example 3
田中さんは三十歳です。
Tanaka-san wa sanjuu-sai desu.
Tanaka is 30 years old.
Breakdown
田中さんTanaka
topic marker
三十歳30 years old
ですis
Note: Age of person
Example 4
何歳ですか。
Nan-sai desu ka.
How old are you?
Breakdown
何歳how old
ですis
question marker
Note: Age question

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