A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "How old are you" in Italian
Ask someone's age in Italian with 'Quanti anni hai?' – the casual way to inquire.
Quanti anni hai?
KWAHN-tee AHN-nee EYEcasual
Italian TTS · 0:01
Use this when you're talking with friends, family, or someone your age or younger. It's the standard, informal way to ask how old someone is.
Alternatives
- Quanti anni ha?Use this when speaking to someone older or in a formal setting.
- Che età hai?Slightly more formal than 'Quanti anni hai?', but still uses 'tu'.
Ways to get it wrong
Wrong verb
Use 'avere' (to have) for age, not 'essere' (to be). So, 'Quanti anni hai?' (How many years do you have?), not 'Quanti anni sei?'.
Plural 'anni'
Always use the plural 'anni' (years) when asking age, even if the person is one year old.
A small cultural note
Asking someone's age can be a bit sensitive, especially with older women. Gauge the situation and your relationship before asking.
Frequently asked
how do you say how old are you in italian formal
For a formal situation, use 'Quanti anni ha?' This uses 'Lei,' the formal 'you.' It's appropriate for elders or strangers in professional settings.
italian for how old is he
To ask 'How old is he?', you'd say 'Quanti anni ha lui?'. The verb 'ha' is the third-person singular of 'avere' (to have).
what is the difference between quanti anni hai and quanti anni ha
'Quanti anni hai?' uses 'hai,' the informal 'you' (tu). 'Quanti anni ha?' uses 'ha,' which can mean 'he/she has' or the formal 'you have' (Lei).
