Can I say 'He looks like only 18 years old'?
Do we say 'He looks like only 18 years old. But his real age is 23'?

Is this odd? How can I rewrite it?

Thank you!

Question

Can I say 'He looks like only 18 years old'?
Do we say 'He looks like only 18 years old. But his real age is 23'?

Is this odd? How can I rewrite it?

Thank you!

Answer

He only looks (like he's) 18, but really he's 23. "Like he's" is optional and "years old" is hardly in conversation.

Answer

'He looks like he's only 18 years old' or 'He looks only 18 years old'
Your second sentence would be more natural as: 'But he's really 23'.