jovencita
/ho-ven-SEE-ta/
young woman
As a noun, jovencita translates to 'young woman' or female teenager.
jovencita(noun)
young woman
?A female teenager or young adult.
,girl
?Often used affectionately or when referring to someone in their late teens.
lass
?Slightly old-fashioned or regional, affectionate term.
📝 In Action
La jovencita de la tienda es muy amable.
A2The young woman at the store is very kind.
¿Quién es esa jovencita que acaba de entrar?
B1Who is that young girl who just walked in?
Mi hermana mayor ya no es una niña; es toda una jovencita.
B1My older sister is no longer a child; she is quite a young woman.
💡 Grammar Points
The Diminutive Suffix -cita
The ending '-cita' is a diminutive suffix, which means it makes the base word ('joven') seem smaller, cuter, or younger. It often carries a warm, affectionate feeling.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Gender
Mistake: "Usando 'jovencito' para una mujer."
Correction: Since 'jovencita' ends in '-a', it is always feminine and refers to a female person. The masculine form is 'jovencito'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Affectionate Tone
Use 'jovencita' when you want to sound slightly warmer or more affectionate than simply saying 'la joven' (the young person).
When used as an adjective describing a female subject, jovencita means 'young'.
jovencita(adjective)
young
?Describing a female noun.
youthful
?Used to describe a youthful appearance.
📝 In Action
Ella tiene una cara jovencita y alegre.
B1She has a youthful and cheerful face.
Esta es mi prima jovencita.
B2This is my young cousin (female).
💡 Grammar Points
Agreement is Key
Like all Spanish adjectives, 'jovencita' must match the noun it describes in number and gender. Since it ends in '-a' it only describes feminine nouns.
⭐ Usage Tips
Use 'Joven' for Most Adjective Needs
While 'jovencita' works as an adjective, it's far more common and natural to use the base adjective 'joven' (which works for both genders) unless you specifically want the diminutive/affectionate tone.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: jovencita
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly uses 'jovencita' to show affection?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'joven' and 'jovencita'?
'Joven' is the standard, neutral word for 'young person' (can be male or female) or the adjective 'young'. 'Jovencita' specifically means 'young woman' or 'young girl' and carries an extra layer of affection, cuteness, or sometimes slight condescension, depending on the context.
Can I use 'jovencita' for a little girl, like a five-year-old?
While technically possible, 'jovencita' usually refers to teenagers or young adults (15-25). For a five-year-old, it is more common to use 'niña' (girl) or 'pequeñita' (little one).