?Cuantos anos tienes en America?

Question

Doesn't this mean:
How old are you in America?

A Spanish speaker told me that this means how long have you been in America? Wouldn't that be ?Cuanto tiempo hace que estas en America?

Answer 1

literal translation is:
how many years do you have in america

meaning:
how long have you been in america

Answer 2

based on what I learned in 3 years of university level Spanish it would asked the 2d way "Cuanto tiempo hace que estas en America?" as opposed to the first "?Cuantos anos tienes en America?" but people can be just as sloppy with the Spanish languages as they are in English, I suppose...

For example, the correct word for lunch is almuerzo, but countless Mexicans I known use the Spanglish "lonche" and look at you funny if you don't use it too.

Answer 3

when i first read the question (i am a spanish speaker) i assumed u were asking for how long have i been here in America. and to be clearer the question should be something like that, more like: Cuanto tiempo has vivido en America?
How old are u in America doesnt really make sense.

Answer 4

The question is clear especially if the Spanish speaker is "Spaniard" from Spain. How many years in America? I know it also sounds as if they are asking you how many years in America? I am Spanish and very good with the different Spanish accents, dialect etc.

Answer 5

Literally: How many years do you have in America.

Correctly: How old are you in America.

I'd question this spanish speaker's proficiency

Answer 6

I believe the Spanish speaker is right. I think the question in Spanish would translate into "How many years do you have in America?". Try typing it into an online translator.

Answer 7

You're right.

Spanish speakers often use slang/simpler sentences. That's perhaps why the Spanish speaker said that...

Answer 8

It means literally How many years have you.......so adding the En America....drum roll please.....makes it How many years have you in America........

Answer 9

Your way is formal Spanish. The first way is not. Means the same thing.

Answer 10

you aske dhow many years have i been in america -

if you want to ask how old - you simply say cuanto anos ?
or if your asking about their child - cuanto anos tu nino/nina -

the worst that happens when you ask the first one is they ask quien ? ( who )
and you reply tu ( you )
but they shouldnt ask if its in normal conversation