adolescente
“adolescente” means “teenager” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
teenager, adolescent
📝 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.
teenage, adolescent
📝 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.
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: adolescente
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'adolescente' as a noun referring to a girl?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes directly from the Latin word *adolescens*, which is the present participle of the verb *adolescere*, meaning 'to grow up' or 'to mature.' It literally refers to 'the one who is growing.'
First recorded: 15th century (as a Spanish term)
Cognates (Related words)
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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.