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How to Say "juvenile" in Spanish

English → Spanish

infantil

een-fahn-TEEL/in.fanˈtil/

adjectiveA2formal/legal context
Use 'infantil' when referring to things related to children in a general or descriptive sense, often relating to their age group or developmental stage, like clothing or activities.
A colorful wooden toy train with bright colors sitting on a simple background, symbolizing objects related to children.

Examples

Necesitamos comprar ropa infantil para el bebé.

We need to buy children's clothing for the baby.

El hospital tiene una sala de cuidados infantiles.

The hospital has a pediatric care ward.

Esa película infantil es muy popular entre los más pequeños.

That children's movie is very popular among the little ones.

Adjective Agreement

Since 'infantil' ends in '-l', it is an adjective that stays the same whether the noun is masculine or feminine (like 'fácil'). It only changes form when you make it plural: infantiles.

Gender Error

Mistake: “la ropainfantila”

Correction: la ropa infantil. The adjective doesn't change gender, even though 'ropa' is feminine.

menor

/meh-NOR//meˈnoɾ/

nounB1legal term
Use 'menor' specifically as a legal term to refer to a person who is underage or a minor, especially in contexts involving rights, responsibilities, or restrictions.
A solitary young child, perhaps 5 years old, sitting quietly on a large wooden park bench, illustrating an underage person.

Examples

La entrada está prohibida a los menores de edad.

Entry is prohibited to minors.

El juez llamó a la menor a declarar.

The judge called the minor (girl) to testify.

Gender Agreement

When used as a noun, it changes gender like any other noun: 'el menor' (boy minor) and 'la menor' (girl minor).

Adjective vs. Noun Usage

The most common mistake is using 'infantil' as a noun to mean 'a minor'. Remember, 'infantil' is primarily an adjective describing something *of* a child, while 'menor' is a noun referring to the person *who is* a minor.

Related Translations

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