Inklingo

How to Say "mature" in Spanish

English → Spanish

adulto

/ah-DOOL-toh//aˈðul.to/

adjectiveA2General
Use 'adulto' when referring to content, themes, or behavior that is intended for or characteristic of adults, implying a lack of suitability for children.
A massive, fully grown oak tree with a wide canopy and deep roots, symbolizing maturity and full development.

Examples

Este programa tiene contenido adulto, no es para niños.

This program has adult content; it is not for children.

Ella tomó una decisión muy adulta sobre su futuro.

She made a very mature decision about her future.

Necesitamos tener una conversación adulta sobre este problema.

We need to have a grown-up conversation about this problem.

Adjective Agreement

As an adjective, 'adulto' must change its ending to match the thing it describes in number (singular/plural) and gender (masculine/feminine). For example: 'temas adultos' (adult topics, plural masculine) or 'actitud adulta' (adult attitude, singular feminine).

desarrollado

/deh-sah-rro-yah-doh//desaroˈʝado/

adjectiveB2General
Use 'desarrollado' to describe something that has reached a high level of development or growth, such as physical attributes, ideas, or personality.
A strong person with visible arm muscles lifting a heavy weight.

Examples

El atleta tiene los músculos de la espalda muy desarrollados.

The athlete has very well-developed back muscles.

Es una idea poco desarrollada todavía.

It is still a poorly developed idea.

vencer

ven-SER/benˈθeɾ/

verbB1Financial/Formal
Use 'vencer' in a financial or temporal context to mean 'to expire' or 'to become due,' often used for deadlines, loans, or bonds.
A sad, anthropomorphic carton of milk resting on a counter, indicating that the product has expired.

Examples

La fecha límite para entregar el informe vence mañana.

The deadline for submitting the report expires tomorrow (is due tomorrow).

Mi pasaporte venció el mes pasado, necesito renovarlo.

My passport expired last month; I need to renew it.

El contrato vence en diciembre.

The contract runs out in December.

Using 'Vencer' for Dates

In this sense, 'vencer' is often used impersonally, meaning the date or document itself is the subject doing the expiring: 'El plazo vence' (The deadline expires).

Confusing 'Vencer' and 'Terminar'

Mistake: “Using 'terminar' for an expiration date, like 'El pasaporte terminó'.”

Correction: 'Terminar' means something simply finished. 'Vencer' specifically means a validity period or deadline has run out due to a predetermined date: 'El pasaporte venció'.

Adulto vs. Desarrollado

Learners often confuse 'adulto' and 'desarrollado' when talking about maturity. Remember that 'adulto' implies suitability for adults (often with a connotation of explicit content), whereas 'desarrollado' refers to a state of growth or advancement, like well-developed muscles or ideas.

Related Translations

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