Italian Phrase
Sono John, ho 35 anni.
Meaning
This phrase consists of two clauses: the first uses the verb 'essere' (to be) to state a name, and the second uses 'avere' (to have) to state age. Unlike English, Italian speakers 'have' years rather than 'being' a certain age. It is a fundamental construction for basic introductions.
When to use
Use this phrase when introducing yourself in social, educational, or professional settings. It is standard for both casual meetups and formal registrations where personal details are required.
✦Grammar Breakdown
SonoJohn,ho35anni
Sono (Essere)
The first-person singular form of 'essere' (to be), used here to identify yourself by name.
Ho (Avere)
The first-person singular form of 'avere' (to have), which is the mandatory verb for expressing age in Italian.
Anni
The plural noun for 'years'; it must always follow the number when telling someone your age.
🗨In Conversation
Ciao! Come ti chiami e quanti anni hai?
Hi! What is your name and how old are you?
Sono John, ho 35 anni.
I am John, I am 35 years old.
✕Common Mistakes
Sono 35 anni.
In Italian, you must use the verb 'avere' (to have) for age, never 'essere' (to be).
Ho 35.
Unlike English, you cannot omit the word 'anni' (years) when stating your age.
↔Alternatives
Mi chiamo John e ho trentacinque anni.
My name is John and I am thirty-five years old.
Piacere, John. Ho 35 anni.
Nice to meet you, John. I am 35 years old.
Cultural Tip
In Italy, sharing your age is quite common in social circles, though in professional environments, the focus remains on your name and role. Remember that Italians view age as an accumulation of years ('I have 35 years'), which reflects a different linguistic logic than the English 'to be'.