A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "How old are you" in French
Learn 'Quel âge as-tu ?' to ask someone's age in French, with notes on formality and common mistakes.
Quel âge as-tu ?
kel AHZH ah-TEWcasual
French TTS · 0:01
Ask this when you're speaking with someone you've already established a 'tu' relationship with. It's common among friends or younger people meeting for the first time.
Alternatives
- Quel âge avez-vous ?Use this when addressing someone formally or a group.
- Tu as quel âge ?This is a more casual, spoken-word variation.
Ways to get it wrong
Pronouncing the 'h' in 'âge'
The 'h' in 'âge' is silent, so don't pronounce it.
Confusing 'tu' and 'vous'
Using 'tu' with a stranger or elder can be seen as impolite; 'vous' is safer in those cases.
Mispronouncing 'quel'
The 'el' at the end of 'quel' is pronounced, not silent like in English 'what'.
A small cultural note
Asking someone's age directly can sometimes be considered a bit personal in France, especially with older individuals or in very formal situations. Gauge the context.
The same phrase in other languages
Frequently asked
how to ask age in french formal
To ask formally, use 'Quel âge avez-vous ?'. This is appropriate for strangers, elders, or professional settings.
is it rude to ask age in france
It depends on the situation and who you're asking. With friends or young people, it's fine. With strangers or older people, it can be considered too direct.
french for how old are you plural
To ask a group of people 'how old are you?', you would say 'Quel âge avez-vous ?'.
How do you ask how old you are in French?
You can ask "Quel âge as-tu ?" for informal situations or "Quel âge avez-vous ?" for formal situations.
How do French people say their age?
French people typically say "J'ai [number] ans." For example, "J'ai trente ans" means "I am thirty years old."
How old are you in French formal and informal?
Informally, you ask "Quel âge as-tu ?" and formally, you ask "Quel âge avez-vous ?"
How to answer how old are you in French?
You answer by stating your age using the verb 'avoir' (to have), for example, "J'ai vingt ans" (I am twenty years old).
