edad
“edad” means “age” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
age
📝 In Action
¿Qué edad tienes?
A1How old are you?
Mi abuela tiene noventa años de edad.
A2My grandmother is ninety years of age.
La edad mínima para votar es dieciocho años.
B1The minimum age to vote is eighteen.
age, era
Also: period
📝 In Action
La Edad Media fue una época fascinante.
B1The Middle Ages was a fascinating era.
Vivimos en la edad de la información.
B2We live in the information age.
La Edad de Piedra es el período más antiguo de la prehistoria.
B2The Stone Age is the oldest period of prehistory.
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: edad
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly says 'I am 25 years old' in Spanish?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Latin word 'aetātem', which meant 'age' or 'period of life'. It's a direct descendant, keeping a very similar meaning over the centuries.
First recorded: Around the 10th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why do Spanish speakers use 'tener' for age instead of 'ser' like in English 'I am'?
It's a great question! It's just a different way of thinking about age. In English, age is a state of being ('I am...'), while in Spanish, it's something you have accumulated over time ('I have... years'). Think of it like a collection of birthdays you possess!
Is 'edad' always a feminine word?
Yes, 'edad' is always feminine, which means you'll always use feminine words like 'la' or 'una' with it (e.g., 'la edad', 'una buena edad'). This is true even when talking about a man's age.