One syllable: years old.
YIR-zohld
/ˈjɪɹz oʊld/
Years Old is pronounced YIR-zohld (/ˈjɪɹz oʊld/). It has one syllable (years old), with the stress on "years old". As a proper noun, a common phrase used to indicate a person’s age, typically spoken as two words: “years” and “old.” In natural speech, it often blends with surrounding sounds and can vary in elision or vowel length depending on context and accent. It’s an essential, everyday expression in informal and formal communication alike when giving or confirming age.
proper nounA common phrase used to indicate a person’s age, typically spoken as two words: “years” and “old.” In natural speech, it often blends with surrounding sounds and can vary in elision or vowel length depending on context and accent. It’s an essential, everyday expression in informal and formal communication alike when giving or confirming age.
- Misplacing stress, saying “YEARS-OLD” with two strong syllables instead of a fluid phrase. Fix by keeping stress on first word and allowing a quick transition to the second. - Over-articulating the /z/ and breaking the word apart; practice a quick release into /oʊld/ and avoid a hard stop. - Over-pronouncing the /r/ in non-rhotic accents; aim for a softened or silent /r/ depending on the accent, then roll into /oʊld/ smoothly.
"She’s 12 years old and loves soccer."
"The building is 100 years old but well maintained."
"How old are your children, and do they seem healthy?"
Say it as two closely connected words: /jɪrz/ + /oʊld/ in US; /jɪəz/ + /əʊld/ in UK; /jɪəz/ + /əʊld/ in AU. Primary stress on the first word: YERS old. Keep the tongue relaxed and allow the /r/ or /ɹ/ to be cleanly released. In fast speech, the /z/ in /jɪrz/ can link to the /ə/ of old, producing a smoother transition like /ˈjɪəˌz oʊld/.”,
Common errors include over-pronouncing the /r/ in years in non-rhotic accents, pronouncing the /z/ as a separate syllable, and not linking the words so it sounds choppy. Correct by allowing a light /z/ without a strong pause, and practice the /r/ or /ɹ/ with a quick, soft release before the long /oʊld/.
In US English, you’ll hear a rhotic /r/ and a clear /z/ in ‘years’ with a tight /oʊ/ in ‘old.’ UK English often features non-rhoticity or a softer r, with /jɪəz/ and a more centralized /əʊld/. Australian English is rhotic-ish with a prominent /ɹ/ in informal speech and a strong /oʊ/ in ‘old.’ Expect subtle vowel shifts: US /ɪ/ or /iː/ in ‘years,’ UK closer to /ɪəz/; AU blends. IPA guidance: US /jɪrz oʊld/, UK /jɪəz əʊld/, AU /jɪəz əʊld/.
The challenge lies in rapid coarticulation: turning the final /z/ into a smooth liaison into /oʊld/, and managing the tongue position to avoid a glottal stop or extra syllable. Also, the plural /z/ can merge with the vowel onset of /oʊld/, requiring precise timing and a light, quick release. Practicing with minimal pairs helps fix the transition. IPA anchors: /jɪrz oʊld/ (US) vs /jɪəz əʊld/ (UK/AU).
The unique aspect is the seamless linking between the end of years and the beginning of old. Focus on a gradual, almost glottal-lean transition, avoiding a hard stop. Use a short /ɹ/ (US) or a mild /ɹ/ (AU) before the long /oʊld/; ensure the /z/ doesn’t create an extra syllable. Practicing at natural speech tempo helps you maintain the rhythm of a typical age statement.
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- US: pronounce /jɪrz oʊld/. Keep a rhotic /ɹ/ but avoid over-aspirating the /r/; the vowel in old is a pure /oʊ/. - UK: /jɪəz əʊld/ with a less pronounced rhotic; the /z/ can blend into the following /ə/ or /əʊ/ depending on speed. - AU: /jɪəz əʊld/ with a softer r and a slightly less rounded /əʊ/. Focus on the transition from /z/ to /oʊ/ and keep the jaw relaxed. IPA references included for accuracy.
The phrase years old combines the plural noun years (from Old English gēar, related to year) with old (from Old English eald). The word year has Germanic roots and has evolved through Middle English into Modern English, where it denotes a calendar year or the quantity of 12 months. Old describes age or the length of time that has passed. When combined as “years old,” the expression serves as a descriptor of a person’s age and has become standardized in modern usage, especially in reference to age in years rather than ongoing age calculations. The construction likely solidified in English as a productive way to indicate age, diverging from alternatives like “in years” or “aged.” The phrase is present in many languages via parallel structures for age, but “years old” remains particularly idiomatic in American and British English for straightforward age statements. First known uses appear in English texts dating to the medieval period and became ubiquitous by early modern English as literacy spread and everyday speech formalized numerical age in years. Modern usage relies on the count of years since birth, with “years” often elided in rapid speech (e.g., “he’s five”).
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Years Old" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Years Old"
-old sounds
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