Inklingo

How to Say "premature" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “premature” is “temprano” — use this when referring to something happening earlier than usual, like a meal or an event, without a negative connotation of being 'too soon'.

temprano🔊A2

Use this when referring to something happening earlier than usual, like a meal or an event, without a negative connotation of being 'too soon'.

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prematuro🔊B1

This is a direct cognate and the most general translation for something happening before the expected or natural time, often used for natural events or births.

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anticipado🔊B1

Use this when an action or event occurs earlier than planned or expected, often implying a need for advance arrangement or payment.

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precoz🔊B2

This term is typically used for development or detection that happens earlier than expected, especially in biological or medical contexts, like a child's development or disease detection.

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apresurado🔊B2

Choose this when something is done too quickly or hastily, implying a lack of thought or consideration, often with a negative consequence.

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English → Spanish

temprano

tem-PRA-notemˈpɾano

adjectiveA2general
Use this when referring to something happening earlier than usual, like a meal or an event, without a negative connotation of being 'too soon'.
A single, large, ripe red apple hangs prominently on a tree branch, surrounded by several smaller, unripe green apples, indicating an early ripening.

Examples

Fue una cena temprana, a las seis de la tarde.

It was an early dinner, at six in the evening.

Prefiero tomar un vuelo temprano por la mañana.

I prefer to take an early flight in the morning.

Su éxito temprano sorprendió a todos.

His early success surprised everyone.

The Changing Adjective

When 'temprano' describes a thing (a noun), it needs to match that thing's gender and number. It can change to 'temprana' (for feminine things), 'tempranos' (for masculine plural things), or 'tempranas' (for feminine plural things).

Forgetting to match the noun

Mistake: “An early appointment: *una cita temprano*”

Correction: Say: *una cita temprana*. Because 'cita' is a feminine word, the adjective describing it also needs to be feminine.

prematuro

pre-mah-TOO-rohpɾemaˈtuɾo

adjectiveB1general
This is a direct cognate and the most general translation for something happening before the expected or natural time, often used for natural events or births.
A blooming flower bud opening in the snow while the sun is still low on the horizon.

Examples

El invierno llegó de forma prematura este año.

Winter arrived prematurely this year.

Fue un final prematuro para una carrera tan exitosa.

It was a premature end to such a successful career.

No saques conclusiones prematuras antes de ver las pruebas.

Don't jump to premature conclusions before seeing the evidence.

Matching Gender and Number

Since this word describes things, it must match what it describes. Use 'prematuro' for masculine things, 'prematura' for feminine, and add an 's' for plural (prematuros/prematuras).

Prematuro vs. Temprano

Mistake: “Using 'temprano' to describe a baby born early.”

Correction: Use 'prematuro' for biological or developmental timing. 'Temprano' is for the time of day or general schedule (e.g., 'me levanté temprano').

anticipado

an-tee-see-PAH-dohantiθiˈpaðo

adjectiveB1general
Use this when an action or event occurs earlier than planned or expected, often implying a need for advance arrangement or payment.
A person hands a gold coin to a baker across a wooden counter, paying for a loaf of bread that is resting on a shelf behind the baker.

Examples

Necesitamos un pago anticipado para reservar el hotel.

We need an advance payment to book the hotel.

Te doy las gracias por tu ayuda anticipada.

I thank you in advance for your help.

Su jubilación anticipada sorprendió a todos sus colegas.

His early retirement surprised all of his colleagues.

Matching Genders

Since this is a describing word (adjective), it must match the noun it describes. Use 'anticipado' for masculine words (el pago) and 'anticipada' for feminine words (la reserva).

Placement Matters

In Spanish, describing words usually go after the thing they describe. You say 'pago anticipado' (payment advance) rather than 'advance payment'.

Using 'en' instead of 'por'

Mistake: “Gracias en anticipado.”

Correction: Gracias por anticipado. In Spanish, we use the word 'por' to say 'in advance' when expressing thanks.

precoz

pray-KOHSSpɾeˈkoθ

adjectiveB2general
This term is typically used for development or detection that happens earlier than expected, especially in biological or medical contexts, like a child's development or disease detection.
A single bright flower blooming in the middle of a snowy field.

Examples

La detección precoz de la enfermedad salvó su vida.

The early detection of the disease saved his life.

Solicitó una jubilación precoz por motivos de salud.

He applied for early retirement for health reasons.

Su muerte precoz fue una gran tragedia para el mundo del arte.

His premature death was a great tragedy for the art world.

Placement with Nouns

In medical or technical terms like 'detección precoz', the adjective almost always comes after the noun.

Precoz vs. Temprano

Mistake: “Llegué precoz a la cita.”

Correction: Llegué temprano a la cita.

apresurado

ah-preh-soo-RAH-dohapɾesuˈɾaðo

adjectiveB2general
Choose this when something is done too quickly or hastily, implying a lack of thought or consideration, often with a negative consequence.
A person about to jump into a deep puddle without checking how deep it is first.

Examples

No seas apresurado, piénsalo bien antes de comprar el coche.

Don't be rash; think it over well before buying the car.

Fue una conclusión apresurada sin tener todas las pruebas.

It was a hasty conclusion without having all the evidence.

Su juicio apresurado lastimó los sentimientos de su amigo.

His impulsive judgment hurt his friend's feelings.

Describing Decisions

When describing a 'decision' (feminine), always use 'apresurada'. Even if a man made the decision, the word must match the thing it describes.

Overusing the word

Mistake: “Saying 'soy apresurado' to mean 'I am in a hurry'.”

Correction: Say 'tengo prisa' for 'I am in a hurry'. Use 'apresurado' to describe the way you are acting or your personality.

Prematuro vs. Anticipado

Learners often confuse 'prematuro' and 'anticipado'. Remember that 'prematuro' generally refers to something happening before its natural or expected time (like a birth or season), while 'anticipado' implies something done or received earlier than scheduled or planned, often involving an action (like a payment).

Related Translations

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