🇯🇵 Japanese phrases

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

The SPAIKING TeamJuly 27, 2026
おいくつですか
"How old are you?" in Japanese · say it like oh-ee-koo-tsu de-su-ka

The most natural way to say "How old are you?" in Japanese is おいくつですか. 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

何歳ですか
More formal and commonly used in polite situations.
いくつなの?
Casual and used among friends or younger people.

When to use it

Use this phrase when you want to ask someone their age politely. It is appropriate in both formal and informal settings. Be mindful of the context, as asking age can be sensitive in some cultures.

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 Japanese

JapaneseEnglish
おいくつですか?How old are you?
Common mistake
Learners often forget to use polite forms when speaking to strangers.

The fastest way to remember it

Vocabulary you only read fades fast. Vocabulary you say out loud sticks. Hear おいくつですか, repeat it a few times, then use it in a real sentence. SPAIKING lets you practice exactly that, speaking Japanese 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 in Japan?

It can be considered impolite in some contexts, so be cautious.

Learn Japanese by speaking it

Two free conversations. No card needed.