mam + Number + lat
Saying Age
In Polish, you don't 'are' an age; you 'have' it. Use the verb mieć + [Number] + rok/lata/lat.
How It Works
To express age in Polish, you must use the irregular verb mieć (to have). Unlike English, using the verb 'to be' (być) is a major error.
The noun 'year' has three different forms depending on the number:
- rok: Used only for the number 1 (jeden).
- lata: Used for numbers ending in 2, 3, or 4 (except 12, 13, 14). This is the nominative plural form.
- lat: Used for numbers 5–21, and any number ending in 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 0. This is the genitive plural form.
Special Rules:
1. The Teen Trap: Even though 12, 13, and 14 end in 2, 3, and 4, they always take lat (dwanaście lat, trzynaście lat, czternaście lat).
2. Compound Numbers: Numbers ending in 1 (like 21, 31, 41) take lat, not rok (dwadzieścia jeden lat).
3. Subject Omission: Because the verb ending already tells you who is speaking, you should usually practice leaving out subject pronouns like 'ja' or 'ty'.
Examples (5)
- Mam dwadzieścia cztery lata.
I am twenty-four years old.
Word by Word: I-have twenty four years.
Since 24 ends in 4, we use the form 'lata'.
- Mój brat ma dwanaście lat.
My brother is twelve years old.
Word by Word: My brother has twelve years.
The 'teens' (11-19) always take the form 'lat'.
- Ile lat ma ta wieża?
How old is this tower?
Word by Word: How-many years has this tower?
When asking 'how many', we use 'ile' which triggers the genitive plural 'lat'.
- On ma dwadzieścia jeden lat.
He is twenty-one years old.
Word by Word: He has twenty one years.
Compound numbers ending in 1 take 'lat'.
- Moja córka ma jeden rok.
My daughter is one year old.
Word by Word: My daughter has one year.
The singular 'rok' is only used for the number 1.
Common Mistakes
Using the verb 'to be' (jestem) instead of 'to have' (mam).
Jestem dwadzieścia lat.Mam dwadzieścia lat.In Polish, age is something you 'have', not something you 'are'. Using 'jestem' sounds like you are literally made of years.
Using 'lata' for the numbers 12, 13, or 14.
On ma trzynaście lata.On ma trzynaście lat.While numbers ending in 3 usually take 'lata', the teens (11-19) are an exception and always take 'lat'.
Using 'rok' for compound numbers ending in 1.
Mam trzydzieści jeden rok.Mam trzydzieści jeden lat.The singular 'rok' is strictly for the number 1. For 21, 31, 41, etc., use 'lat'.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Learn Five And Higher, The Verb Mieć before Saying Age.
Related Patterns
- Genitive Plural Endings
The form 'lat' is the genitive plural of 'rok', triggered by numbers 5 and higher.
Level 2 - Leaving Out Subject Pronouns
In Polish, it is more natural to say 'Mam...' than 'Ja mam...' when stating your age.
Level 1 - Pan / PaniFormal Pan and Pani
Used when asking for or stating the age of someone in a formal context (e.g., 'Ile Pan ma lat?').
Level 3
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice mam + Number + lat in Bubblegum
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