🎂❓

How to Say ‘How old are you?’ in Portuguese

Quantos anos tens?

KWAN-toosh AH-noosh TENSH

[KWAN-toosh AH-noosh TENSH]

💬 Usage Tip: Portuguese asks how many years you have, using ter "to have", not "to be". The answer follows the same pattern: tenho vinte anos.

🇵🇹 In Portugal: tens is the informal "you", fine with friends or peers. With an older stranger, say Quantos anos tem? instead.

Phrase Breakdown

Quantos

[KWAN-toosh]

how many

Masculine plural question word; agrees with 'anos'.

Example

Quantos dias ficas?

How many days are you staying?

anos

[AH-noosh]

years

Plural of "ano," used for talking about repeated yearly events.

Example

Há anos que participo nesta conferência.

I have been taking part in this conference for years.

tens

[TENSH]

you have

Second-person singular of 'ter' in European Portuguese, used informally with 'tu'.

Example

Quando digo «Tens» muito estilo, estou a falar contigo de forma informal.

When I say “You have” a lot of style, I’m speaking to you informally.

Guides for Portuguese learners

The Portuguese You Actually Need in Your First Month in PortugalThe European Portuguese phrases for your first weeks in Portugal: paperwork, renting a flat, the bank, the health centre, cafés, trains and your new neighbours.

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