How to Ask Someone’s Age in English Without Being Rude

Key takeaways:

• The most common way to ask someone’s age in English is “How old are you?” The answer uses the verb "to be": “I am [number] years old” or simply “I’m [number].”
• Use the verb "to be" to talk about age, while the preposition "at" connects events to a specific age.
• The verb to turn is the natural way to talk about birthdays and new ages.
• More polite ways to ask someone’s age in English include: “Would you mind if I asked how old you are?” or “Are you comfortable sharing your age?”

Age in English is a topic that comes up all the time in simple conversations. You might want to ask how old someone is, answer the same question, or even talk about when your birthday is. That’s why mastering this vocabulary makes your interactions much more natural and meaningful.

In this article, you’ll learn not only how to ask someone’s age in English but also how to use polite expressions that make your communication sound more confident.

How to Ask Someone’s Age in English

When you meet someone or simply want to know their age, the most common and direct question in English is: How old are you?” This is the standard phrase, and it’s widely used in everyday conversations.

Important tip: In English, you don’t “have” an age (as in “I have 25 years”). Instead, you “are” your age, so you must use the verb “to be” in both the question and the answer.

• How old are you? → I am 25 years old (or simply, I’m 25.)
• How old is Roberta? → She is 27.

How to Be Polite When Asking “How Old Are You?” in English

Even though “How old are you?” is the standard way to ask about age in English, remember that this topic can be sensitive in some cultures or situations.

To sound more polite—especially if you don’t know the person well—try using phrases that ask permission or show respect:

• Would you mind if I asked how old you are?
• Do you mind telling me how old you are?
• Can I ask how old you are?
• Are you comfortable sharing your age?

These approaches give the other person the option not to answer if they don’t feel comfortable. If someone prefers not to share their age, it’s important to respect their choice and not insist.

Using “at” to Talk About Age in Different Situations

When linking an event or fact to a specific age, English uses the preposition "at," not "with" (like in some other languages).

Examples:

• I parachuted at 20.
• I moved to London at 33.
• He got married at 30.
• At 42, I will be in the best shape of my life.

Talking About Birthdays in English

When it’s time to celebrate a birthday, the most natural way to say someone is “turning” a new age is by using the verb “to turn.” So, instead of saying you “make” an age, in English, you “turn” that age.

For an upcoming birthday, use to be + turning:

• I’m turning 28 next month!
• He is turning 60 in three days.

For a past birthday, use turned:

• She turned 22 last Friday.
• I turned 18 yesterday!

For a future birthday, you can use the future continuous:

• She will be turning 40 in 2025.

What Are Milestone Birthdays?

In English, a milestone birthday is one that marks an important stage in life. For example, turning 21 in the U.S. (the legal drinking age), women turning 15 in Latin American cultures, or when entering a new decade (30, 40, 50, etc.).

• He will be turning 40 this year, a major milestone in his life.
• Celebrating your first job anniversary can be a significant milestone.

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Birthday Vocabulary in English

Talking about birthdays in English becomes much easier once you know the key words. Here are some of the most common:

• Birthday 
• Anniversary
• Cake
• Candles
• Party
• Gift / Present
• Balloon / Decoration

And here are some common expressions:

• Happy Birthday! – the classic birthday greeting.
• Many happy returns! – a more formal way to wish someone many more years of life.
• Make a wish – said before blowing out the candles.
• Blow out the candles – to put out the candles on the cake.
• Celebrate – to celebrate.
• Throw a party – to host a party.

Speak English with Confidence: Practice with Promova

Now that you know how to ask and answer about age in English—and use common birthday expressions—it's time to practice. Promova offers different ways to put this vocabulary into real use:

• Practice with AI: Simulate conversations in English without fear of making mistakes. The AI creates dynamic scenarios—from everyday dialogues to formal situations—to expand your vocabulary.
• 1-on-1 lessons: Get individual attention with a professional tutor. These sessions can be long-term or focused on specific goals, like practicing polite phrases for asking someone’s age (Would you mind if I ask how old you are?).
• Group lessons: Join a class with up to six learners in a collaborative environment. Perfect for practicing conversations about birthdays, ages, and everyday topics.
• Conversation Club: Every week, join our free conversation club with up to 15 participants. It’s a great chance to use expressions naturally in relaxed, friendly dialogues.

With these options, you go beyond theory and start using English in real interactions, gaining confidence to talk about age, birthdays, and much more.

Final Thoughts

Now you know how to politely ask someone’s age in English and how to talk about birthdays. You’ve seen that this topic goes far beyond simple translation.

It involves using the verb "to be" for age, the preposition "at" for events at a certain age, and the verb "to turn" when speaking about birthdays.

Learning when to use direct questions like “How old are you?” or more polite forms, as well as mastering common birthday phrases, will help you communicate clearly and confidently in many different situations.