How to Say ‘Excuse me, but how old are you?’ in Japanese
失礼ですが、おいくつですか。
shitsurei desu ga o iku tsu desu ka
[sheet-soo-RAY dess ga o ee-KOO tsoo dess kah]
🇯🇵 In Japan: Age matters in Japan because it shapes how formally people speak to each other. Still, asking it with this cushion is wise, especially with women or people older than you.
Phrase Breakdown
失礼ですが、
shitsurei desu ga
Excuse me, but...
A polite cushion phrase used before asking something personal. 「が」 means 'but'. Say 'shitsurei' smoothly; the 'i' in 'shi' is often almost silent.
失礼ですが、お名前は？
Excuse me, but what is your name?
Words in this phrase
失礼
shitsurei
[sheet-soo-RAY]
rudeness; excuse me
Means impoliteness; with します it's a polite way to excuse yourself or say goodbye.
お先に失礼します。
Excuse me for leaving before you.
です
desu
[dess]
is; polite copula
A polite sentence ending used in formal conversation.
少し伺いたいです。
I would like to ask a little.
が
ga
[ga]
but
Used to contrast ideas or statements.
雨が降っている が、出かける。
It is raining, but going out.
おいくつですか。
o iku tsu desu ka
How old are you?
A polite question about age. 「いくつ」 means 'how many / how old', and 「お」 makes it polite.
お父さんはおいくつですか。
How old is your father?
Words in this phrase
お
o
[o]
polite prefix
Prefix added for politeness.
お名前は？
What is your name?
いく
iku
[ee-KOO]
how many (part of ikutsu)
First part of ikutsu 'how many / how old'; not the verb 'go'.
りんごはいくつありますか。
How many apples are there?
つ
tsu
[tsoo]
counter
A counter for general objects in Japanese.
卵を一つください。
Please give me one egg.
です
desu
[dess]
is; polite copula
A polite sentence ending used in formal conversation.
少し伺いたいです。
I would like to ask a little.
か
ka
[kah]
question marker
Placed at the end of a sentence to make it a question.
A席はありますか。
Are there A seats available?
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