馃嚛馃嚜 German phrases

How to Say "How old are you?" in German

The SPAIKING TeamJuly 27, 2026
Wie alt bist du?
"How old are you?" in German 路 say it like vee ahlt bist doo

The most natural way to say "How old are you?" in German is Wie alt bist du?. Tap the speaker above to hear it, then say it back out loud. That is the fastest way to make it stick.

Other ways to say it

Wie alt sind Sie?
This is the formal version, used when speaking to strangers or in professional settings.
Wie alt bist du eigentlich?
This adds a casual tone, often used among friends.

When to use it

You can use this phrase when you want to ask someone their age in an informal context. It's common among friends or acquaintances. In formal situations, use the variant with 'Sie'.

Say it out loud, get corrected

Reading it is not the same as saying it. Practice "How old are you?" and thousands more with an AI coach that listens.

Examples in German

GermanEnglish
Wie alt bist du?How old are you?
Wie alt sind Sie?How old are you? (formal)
Common mistake
A common mistake is using 'Wie alt sind Sie?' with friends, as it sounds too formal.

The fastest way to remember it

Vocabulary you only read fades fast. Vocabulary you say out loud sticks. Hear Wie alt bist du?, repeat it a few times, then use it in a real sentence. SPAIKING lets you practice exactly that, speaking German with a coach that corrects your pronunciation in real time. You can start with two free conversations.

Frequently asked questions

Is it rude to ask someone's age?

It can be considered impolite in some cultures, but in Germany, it's generally acceptable among friends.

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