año
/AN-yo/
year
Representing the cycle of twelve months, this image illustrates the concept of a complete 'año' (year).
📝 In Action
El año tiene doce meses.
A1The year has twelve months.
Feliz Año Nuevo.
A1Happy New Year.
¿Cuántos años tienes?
A1How old are you?
Tengo treinta años.
A1I am thirty years old.
💡 Grammar Points
Using 'Tener' for Age
To say how old you are, Spanish uses the verb 'tener' (to have), not 'ser' (to be). You literally say 'I have 20 years.' Think of it like you've collected years of life!
❌ Common Pitfalls
Saying 'I Am X Years Old'
Mistake: "Yo soy veinte años."
Correction: Say 'Tengo veinte años.' Remember, in Spanish, you *have* years, you don't *are* years.
The All-Important 'ñ'
Mistake: "Tengo veinte anos."
Correction: Always write 'años' with the tilde (~). The word 'ano' without the tilde means 'anus', which can lead to a very embarrassing mistake!
⭐ Usage Tips
Plural for Age
When talking about age, always use the plural form 'años', even for a one-year-old. For example, 'El bebé tiene un año' (The baby is one year old).
This image visualizes the use of 'año' to denote a specific academic grade or level of study.
📝 In Action
Estoy en mi primer año de universidad.
A2I'm in my first year of university.
Mi hija pasa a segundo año el mes que viene.
B1My daughter is moving up to second grade next month.
⭐ Usage Tips
'Año' vs. 'Grado' for School
While you can often use 'año' for school years, 'grado' is also very common, especially for primary school levels (e.g., 'primer grado' for first grade). 'Año' is more common for high school and university.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: año
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly says 'I am 25 years old' in Spanish?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'año' and 'ano'? Why is the squiggle (~) so important?
The squiggle, called a tilde, completely changes the sound and meaning. 'Año' (pronounced AN-yo) means 'year'. 'Ano' (pronounced AH-no) means 'anus'. Accidentally leaving off the tilde is a very common and embarrassing mistake for learners, so always double-check!
Why do Spanish speakers say 'I have years' ('tengo años') instead of 'I am years old'?
It's just a different way of thinking about age. English sees age as a state of being ('I am'), while Spanish sees it as something you possess or accumulate over time ('I have'). It's one of the first big differences you learn, and it's a great example of how languages can express the same idea in unique ways.