几岁 (jǐsuì) translates to 'how old' and is commonly used to ask someone's age, particularly when referring to children. It is often used in informal contexts, such as conversations with friends or acquaintances, and is a basic yet essential phrase for everyday interactions.
HSK 1, 16 strokes, Hard
jǐsuì(ji3sui4) T3
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May 27, 2026
几岁jǐsuì(ji3sui4)
几岁 (jǐsuì) translates to 'how old' and is commonly used to ask someone's age, particularly when referring to children. It is often used in informal contexts, such as conversations with friends or acquaintances, and is a basic yet essential phrase for everyday interactions.
Strokes16Frequency#—DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
Asking about age is a common social practice in Chinese culture, often reflecting care and interest in someone's life stage. In many contexts, age can also determine social hierarchy and respect.
Memory Tip
Imagine a curious child asking, '几 (jǐ) many岁 (suì) years old are you?' The character 几 looks like a child counting on their fingers, while 岁 represents the concept of age. Together, they form a question about how many fingers (or years) someone has!
About 几岁
几岁Simplified
16Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L1ElementaryHSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 几岁
Podcast: 几岁
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AI Study Notes for 几岁
Quick Contrast
岁 (suì) vs 岁数 (suìshù) — use 几岁 for informal inquiries about age, while 岁数 is more formal and often used in written contexts.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a curious child asking, '几 (jǐ) many岁 (suì) years old are you?' The character 几 looks like a child counting on their fingers, while 岁 represents the concept of age. Together, they form a question about how many fingers (or years) someone has!
Usage Notes
This phrase is typically used in informal settings, so it’s best to avoid using it in very formal situations. A common mistake is to forget the measure word for age; remember to use 岁 after the number. For example, you would say '三岁' (sān suì) for 'three years old.'
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 1 vocabulary word, learners should focus on mastering the pronunciation and usage in simple sentences. Connecting it with numbers learned earlier, such as 一 (yī) and 二 (èr), will help solidify understanding.
Cultural Note
Asking about age is a common social practice in Chinese culture, often reflecting care and interest in someone's life stage. In many contexts, age can also determine social hierarchy and respect.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse the usage of '几岁' with '多大'. For instance, saying '我几岁' (wǒ jǐsuì) to an adult may come off as too informal. Instead, use '您多大?' for adults.
AI-enhanced 2026-05-27
Pronunciation of 几岁
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Cultural Notes for 几岁
🏮Cultural insight
Asking about age is a common social practice in Chinese culture, often reflecting care and interest in someone's life stage. In many contexts, age can also determine social hierarchy and respect.
Frequently Asked Questions about 几岁
You can respond with your age followed by 岁, for example, '我二十岁' (wǒ èrshí suì) means 'I am 20 years old.'
While it's more common to ask children, you can ask adults in informal settings, but be cautious, as age can be a sensitive topic.
You could also say '您多大?' (nín duōdà), which is a more polite way to ask someone's age.
