年龄

• Pinyin: nián líng
• Hanzi breakdown: 年 = grain harvest cycle, year; 龄 = 齿 (teeth) + 令 (order), age measured by teeth

Meaning

Age; how old someone is. The number of years a person or thing has existed.

Used for people, animals, and sometimes objects or organizations. Common in official documents, health contexts, and everyday conversation. Can be modified with adjectives like 适龄 (appropriate age), 超龄 (overage), or 低龄 (young age).

Examples

1. 请问您的年龄是多少？ May I ask how old you are?
2. 这个岗位对年龄没有限制。 This position has no age restrictions.
3. 随着年龄的增长，他变得越来越成熟了。 As he grew older, he became more and more mature.

Usage Guide

Context: forms, health, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 她看起来比实际年龄年轻。(She looks younger than her actual age.)
• 年龄不是问题，能力才是关键。(Age is not a problem; ability is what matters.)

Don't Say

• 你的年龄是几岁？(Redundant — just say 你多大了 or 你几岁了; 年龄 already implies age)

Origin & History

年 (nián, year) + 龄 (líng, age/years). The character 龄 specifically refers to age in terms of years.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal