adolescente
/ah-doh-leh-SEHN-teh/
teenager
The noun adolescente means a teenager, referring to a young person between 13 and 19 years old.
adolescente(noun)
teenager
?A young person between the ages of 13 and 19.
,adolescent
?Formal term for a person transitioning from childhood to adulthood.
📝 In Action
Mi hermana mayor es una adolescente muy responsable.
A1My older sister is a very responsible teenager.
Los adolescentes de hoy pasan mucho tiempo en línea.
A2Today's adolescents spend a lot of time online.
Conocí a un adolescente que ya sabía programar.
B1I met a teenager who already knew how to code.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Flexibility
This word is the same whether you are talking about a boy or a girl. You change the word before it (the article) to show the gender: 'el adolescente' (the male teenager) or 'la adolescente' (the female teenager).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Noun and Adjective
Mistake: "Usando 'adolescente' como 'teenaged' (e.g., 'el coche adolescente')."
Correction: When using it as a noun, ensure the article matches the person's gender. When using it as an adjective, it describes the age group: 'los años adolescentes' (the teenage years).
⭐ Usage Tips
Sounding Natural
While 'adolescente' is correct, in many casual settings, people often use 'chico/a' or 'joven' for teenagers, especially when talking about their own children or friends.
As an adjective, adolescente describes something relating to the period of adolescence, such as a teenage interest or hobby.
adolescente(adjective)
teenage
?Relating to the period of adolescence.
,adolescent
?Describing characteristics of that age group.
📝 In Action
Es una fase adolescente que pronto pasará.
A2It is a teenage phase that will soon pass.
Le gusta mucho la música adolescente de los 90.
B1He really likes 90s teenage music.
Sus preocupaciones adolescentes son muy diferentes a las mías.
B2His adolescent worries are very different from mine.
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective Agreement
Unlike most Spanish adjectives, 'adolescente' does not change its ending based on whether the noun is masculine or feminine. It only changes when the noun is plural: 'una preocupación adolescente' (singular) vs. 'muchas preocupaciones adolescentes' (plural).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Adding Gender Endings
Mistake: "Decir 'una preocupación adolescenta'."
Correction: The adjective always ends in '-e', regardless of the noun's gender. Only change it to '-es' for plural nouns.
⭐ Usage Tips
Describing Genres
This adjective is perfect for describing media or culture aimed at this age group, such as 'películas adolescentes' (teenage movies).
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: adolescente
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'adolescente' as a noun referring to a girl?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'adolescente' used for both boys and girls?
Yes, absolutely. 'Adolescente' is a neutral word. You use 'el' (for a boy) or 'la' (for a girl) to show the gender, but the word 'adolescente' itself stays the same.
What is the difference between 'adolescente' and 'joven'?
'Adolescente' specifically refers to the teenage years (roughly 13-19). 'Joven' is a broader term that means 'young person' and can include anyone from a teenager up to their late twenties or even early thirties.