German Phrase
Ich bin 25.
Meaning
This phrase is the standard way to state your age in German. It uses the verb 'sein' (to be) followed by a cardinal number to indicate how many years you have lived.
When to use
Use this when introducing yourself or answering the question 'Wie alt bist du?' (How old are you?). It is appropriate for both formal and informal conversations.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Ichbin25
Subject Pronoun
'Ich' is the first-person singular pronoun 'I' and is always capitalized if it starts a sentence, but not always otherwise (unlike English).
Verb Conjugation
'bin' is the irregular first-person singular present tense form of 'sein' (to be).
🗨In Conversation
Wie alt bist du eigentlich?
How old are you, actually?
Ich bin 25.
I am 25.
✕Common Mistakes
Ich habe 25.
Unlike Romance languages like French or Spanish, German uses 'sein' (to be) rather than 'haben' (to have) for age.
Ich bin 25 Jahre.
If you use the word 'Jahre', you must include 'alt'. You can say 'Ich bin 25' or 'Ich bin 25 Jahre alt', but not just 'Jahre'.
↔Alternatives
Ich bin 25 Jahre alt.
I am 25 years old.
Ich bin Mitte zwanzig.
I am in my mid-twenties.
Cultural Tip
In Germany, stating your age is very direct. While it is polite to wait for the topic to arise in formal settings, young people often share their age early in social interactions to establish common ground.