10.3 Stating age using "avoir"

In French, expressing age is all about having years, not being them. We use "avoir" (to have) instead of "être" (to be). It's a simple formula: subject + avoir + number + ans. Easy peasy!

Asking someone's age? Just remember "Quel âge as-tu?" for friends and "Quel âge avez-vous?" for formal situations. Respond with "J'ai X ans." It's that simple! Now you're ready to talk about age in French.

Expressing age in French

Using "avoir + number + ans" construction

• The verb "avoir" is used to express age in French, which translates to "to have" in English
• The construction follows the format: subject + avoir (conjugated) + number + ans
  • For example, "J'ai quinze ans" means "I am 15 years old"
  • Other examples include: "Tu as vingt ans" (You are 20 years old), "Elle a trente ans" (She is 30 years old)
• The noun "ans" is the French word for "years" when referring to age and is always plural
• The verb "avoir" must be conjugated to match the subject pronoun (je, tu, il/elle/on, nous, vous, ils/elles)
  • Je (I): j'ai
  • Tu (you, singular informal): tu as
  • Il/Elle/On (he/she/one): il/elle/on a
  • Nous (we): nous avons
  • Vous (you, plural or formal): vous avez
  • Ils/Elles (they): ils/elles ont
• When expressing age, the number is placed between the conjugated form of "avoir" and the word "ans"
  • For example, "Nous avons quarante-deux ans" (We are 42 years old)
  • "Vous avez cinquante-huit ans" (You are 58 years old, formal or plural)

Asking about age in French

Using the appropriate question format

• To ask someone's age in French, use the question "Quel âge as-tu?" for informal situations (singular "you") or "Quel âge avez-vous?" for formal situations or plural "you"
  • "Quel âge as-tu?" is used when speaking to a friend, family member, or someone younger
  • "Quel âge avez-vous?" is used when speaking to someone older, a superior, or in formal settings
• The question "Quel âge a-t-il/a-t-elle?" is used to ask about a third person's age (he/she)
  • For example, "Quel âge a ton frère?" (How old is your brother?)
  • "Quel âge a votre mère?" (How old is your mother? - formal)
• "Quel" is a French interrogative adjective meaning "what" or "which," and it is followed by the noun "âge" (age)
• The verb "avoir" is conjugated according to the subject in the question (tu, vous, il/elle)
  • Tu (you, singular informal): as
  • Vous (you, plural or formal): avez
  • Il/Elle (he/she): a

Understanding age questions in French

Recognizing and responding to age-related inquiries

• Recognize the question "Quel âge as-tu?" or "Quel âge avez-vous?" as an inquiry about one's age
  • These questions are commonly used in introductions or when getting to know someone
• Understand numbers in French to comprehend the age given in response to the question
  • French numbers: un (1), deux (2), trois (3), quatre (4), cinq (5), six (6), sept (7), huit (8), neuf (9), dix (10), onze (11), douze (12), treize (13), quatorze (14), quinze (15), seize (16), dix-sept (17), dix-huit (18), dix-neuf (19), vingt (20), trente (30), quarante (40), cinquante (50), soixante (60), soixante-dix (70), quatre-vingts (80), quatre-vingt-dix (90), cent (100)
• Respond to age questions using the "avoir + number + ans" construction, ensuring that "avoir" is conjugated correctly to match the subject pronoun
  • For example, if asked "Quel âge as-tu?", respond with "J'ai [number] ans" (I am [number] years old)
  • If asked "Quel âge a votre sœur?", respond with "Elle a [number] ans" (She is [number] years old)
• Use the appropriate subject pronoun (je, tu, il/elle/on, nous, vous, ils/elles) in the response based on the context and the person being referred to
  • Use "je" when referring to yourself
  • Use "tu" when referring to someone you are speaking to informally
  • Use "il/elle" when referring to a third person (he/she)
  • Use "nous" when referring to a group that includes yourself
  • Use "vous" when referring to a group that doesn't include yourself or when speaking formally
  • Use "ils/elles" when referring to a group of people (they)