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    Chinese Grammar

    Referring to age with 年纪 (niánjì)

    Numbers & Quantity
    Time Expressions

    Explanation

    The noun 年纪 (niánjì) means "age," referring to how old someone is. It is often used in spoken Chinese and is interchangeable with 年龄, though 年纪 tends to sound slightly more colloquial. It commonly appears in phrases like 年纪大 (old in age) or 年纪小 (young in age).

    Examples

    • 他年纪不大,但做事很成熟。

      Tā niánjì bú dà, dàn zuòshì hěn chéngshú.

      He's not very old, but he handles things in a mature way.

    • 奶奶年纪大了,走路需要人扶着。

      Nǎinai niánjì dà le, zǒulù xūyào rén fúzhe.

      Grandma is getting old and needs someone to support her when she walks.

    • 你这个年纪应该多出去走走看看。

      Nǐ zhège niánjì yīnggāi duō chūqù zǒuzou kànkan.

      At your age, you should go out more and see the world.

    Referring to age with 年纪 (niánjì) | Chinese Grammar