Basic Vocabulary: Numbers and “Years Old”
Japanese Numbers 1-10
Counting age in Japanese starts with knowing the basic numbers. Here are the numbers one through ten in Japanese, as they are the building blocks for expressing age:
- 1 – 一 (いち, ichi)
- 2 – 二 (に, ni)
- 3 – 三 (さん, san)
- 4 – 四 (し, yon/shi)
- 5 – 五 (ご, go)
- 6 – 六 (ろく, roku)
- 7 – 七 (なな/shichi, nana/shichi)
- 8 – 八 (はち, hachi)
- 9 – 九 (きゅう/く, kyuu/ku)
- 10 – 十 (じゅう, juu)
How to Say “Years Old” in Japanese
The word for “years old” is 歳 (さい, sai). To say your age, simply add the number before “sai”. For example:
- 5 years old: 五歳 (ごさい, gosai)
- 12 years old: 十二歳 (じゅうにさい, juunisai)
Special Age Pronunciations and Exceptions
Irregular Age Pronunciations
While most ages are formed by combining the number with “sai,” some ages have unique or irregular pronunciations:
- 1 year old: 一歳 (いっさい, issai)
- 8 years old: 八歳 (はっさい, hassai)
- 10 years old: 十歳 (じゅっさい or じっさい, jussai or jissai)
- 20 years old: 二十歳 (はたち, hatachi) Note: “Hatachi” is a special word used only for age 20.
For other ages, combine the number with “sai” as usual (e.g., 15歳 = じゅうごさい, juugosai).
How to Ask and Answer Age in Japanese
How to Ask Someone’s Age
The most common and polite way to ask someone’s age is:
おいくつですか？ (Oikutsu desu ka?) — “How old are you?” (polite)
For children or informal situations, you might hear:
何歳ですか？ (Nansai desu ka?) — “How old are you?”
How to Answer
To answer, simply state your age followed by “です” (desu):
- 私は25歳です。 (Watashi wa nijūgosaidesu.) — “I am 25 years old.”
- 15歳です。 (Juugosai desu.) — “I’m 15 years old.”
Traditional vs. Modern Age Counting in Japan
Modern System (満年齢, Man-nenrei)
Nowadays, Japan uses the same system as most of the world: your age increases by one on your birthday.
Traditional System (数え年, Kazoedoshi)
Historically, Japan used the kazoedoshi system, where everyone turned one year older at New Year’s, regardless of their actual birthday. This system is rarely used today except in some traditional ceremonies.
Cultural Tips: Talking About Age in Japanese
- Politeness Matters: Asking someone’s age can be sensitive, especially with adults. Use polite language and discretion.
- Children: With children, age is often asked and answered more freely.
- 20 (Hatachi): Turning 20 is a big milestone in Japan—it’s the age of adulthood and celebrated at the Seijin no Hi (Coming of Age Day).
Practice with Talkpal
Learning to count age correctly is just one step on your journey to mastering Japanese. Using AI-powered tools like Talkpal can help you practice natural conversations, including talking about age and other daily topics. With Talkpal, you can build confidence in your speaking and listening skills, making real-world communication smoother and more enjoyable.
Conclusion
Counting age in Japanese involves more than just numbers—it’s about understanding pronunciation, grammar, and cultural context. Remember the special pronunciations for certain ages, the correct use of “sai,” and the importance of politeness. With consistent practice, especially with resources like Talkpal, you’ll be able to talk about age accurately and naturally in Japanese conversations. Happy learning!
