Mandarin TempleMandarin Temple Beta Come for Knowledge. Stay for Wisdom.
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
年龄 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
年龄niánlíng(a person's) ageHSK 4, n, rank #2479, Hard
年龄niánlíng>个[gè]HSK 4, n, rank #2479, Hard
niánlíng(nian2ling2) T2
  1. 1(a person's) age
  2. 2>个[gè]
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
年龄(年齡)niánlíng(nian2ling2)

年龄 (niánlíng) refers to a person's age, indicating how many years they have lived. It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts when discussing someone's age or when asking about it. This term is essential in social interactions, as age often plays a significant role in how individuals relate to one another in Chinese culture.

Frequency#2479DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, age is particularly important, often reflecting respect and social status. Elders are highly regarded, and knowing someone's 年龄 can determine the level of politeness used during conversation.

Memory Tip

Imagine a calendar (年 nián) flipping one page for each year of life, showing how 'age' (龄 líng) increases over time. The character 年 looks like a tree (木) with a root (丿) beneath it, symbolizing growth as time passes, while 龍 (lóng) can remind you of the wisdom that comes with age.

Meanings of 年龄

niánlíng(nian2ling2)
1(a person's) age
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 年龄

年龄Simplified
年齡Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#2479Frequency Rank
把Measure Word
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L4IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2

Podcast: 年龄

JasonAmy

Podcast: 年龄

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 年龄

Quick Contrast

岁 (suì) — use 年龄 (niánlíng) for a more formal context, while 岁 (suì) is typically used in casual conversations.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a calendar (年 nián) flipping one page for each year of life, showing how 'age' (龄 líng) increases over time. The character 年 looks like a tree (木) with a root (丿) beneath it, symbolizing growth as time passes, while 龍 (lóng) can remind you of the wisdom that comes with age.

Usage Notes

A common mistake is confusing 年龄 with other terms for age, such as 岁 (suì), which is more casual. Remember to use the appropriate measure word; for example, '他的年龄是二十岁' (tā de niánlíng shì èrshí suì) means 'His age is 20 years.'

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 4 word, 年龄 connects with other vocabulary related to personal information, such as 性别 (xìngbié, gender) and 职业 (zhíyè, occupation). Focus on using it in sentences and questions regarding age to build fluency.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, age is particularly important, often reflecting respect and social status. Elders are highly regarded, and knowing someone's 年龄 can determine the level of politeness used during conversation.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mix up 年龄 and 岁, using them interchangeably. For example, saying '我的年龄是三岁' (wǒ de niánlíng shì sān suì) is incorrect; instead, use '我三岁' (wǒ sān suì) for age in a casual context.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 年龄

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 年龄 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Component Characters

年niányear
HSK 16 strokes干
View full entry
龄língage
HSK 513 strokes齿
View full entry

Write 年龄

年
龄

Practice writing 年龄 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 年龄

年龄 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Related grammar lessons5
Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

他看起来比实际____年轻。

He looks younger than his actual age.

Example Sentences for 年龄 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
括号中的价格是年龄在18岁以下的消费者可以享受的特别优惠价。

kuò hào zhōng de jià gé shì nián líng zài18 18 suì yǐ xià de xiāo fèi zhě kě yǐ xiǎng shòu de tè bié yōu huì。

The prices in brackets are special rates for the under 18s.
2
这对伴侣年龄上的差异招来了不少闲话。

zhè duì bàn lǚ nián líng shàng de chà yì zhāo lái le bù shǎo xián huà。

What set tongues wagging was the age difference between the two partners.
3
1/4的居民年龄在55岁以上.

1/4 1/4 de jū mín nián líng55 zài 55 suì.

A quarter of the residents are over 55 years old.
4
有些情况下有最低年龄限制。

yǒu xiē qíng kuàng xià yǒu zuì dī nián líng xiàn zhì。

In some cases there is a mini-mum age limit.
5
不管什么年龄都有可能遭遇意外事故和突发疾病。

bù guǎn shí mó nián líng dū yǒu kě néng zāo yù yì wài shì gù hé tū fā jí bìng。

Accidents and sudden illnesses are no respecters of age.
6
轮滑对各年龄段的人而言都是一种很好的运动。

lún huá duì gè nián líng duàn de rén ér yán dū shì yī zhǒng hěn hǎo de yùn dòng。

Rollerblading is great for all ages.
7
随着年龄的增加，人在消耗体力时心脏的输血能力和输血速度会有所减弱。

suí zháo nián líng de zēng jiā， ， rén zài xiāo hào tǐ lì shí xīn zāng de shū xiě néng lì hé shū xiě sù dù huì yǒu suǒ jiǎn。

Age diminishes the heart's ability to pump harder and faster under exertion.
8
我觉得有年龄限制，不过我得去核实一下。

wǒ jué dé yǒu nián líng xiàn zhì， ， bù guò wǒ dé qù hé shí yī。

I think there is an age limit, but I'd have to check.
9
他的好气色令他看上去比实际年龄年轻。

tā de hǎo qì sè líng tā kàn shàng qù bǐ shí jì nián líng nián qīng。

His fresh complexion made him look younger than he was.
10
我当时23岁，我想，看上去比实际年龄小。

wǒ dāng shí23 23， suì ，， wǒ xiǎng ， kàn shàng qù bǐ shí jì。

I was twenty-three, I suppose, and young for my age.

Cultural Notes for 年龄

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, age is particularly important, often reflecting respect and social status. Elders are highly regarded, and knowing someone's 年龄 can determine the level of politeness used during conversation.

Frequently Asked Questions about 年龄

You can ask, '你多大了？' (nǐ duōdà le?), which is a common way to inquire about someone's age.