Inklingo

How to Say "to mature" in Spanish

English → Spanish

madurar

/mah-doo-RAHR//ma.ðu.ˈɾaɾ/

verbB1general
Use 'madurar' when referring to the personal, emotional, or behavioral development of a person, or when talking about fruit ripening.
A small child and a tall adult standing side by side, showing growth.

Examples

Mi hija ha madurado mucho este último año.

My daughter has matured a lot this past year.

Mi hermano ha madurado mucho desde que vive solo.

My brother has matured a lot since he's been living alone.

A veces las personas tardan en madurar.

Sometimes people take a long time to grow up/mature.

¡Ya es hora de que madures!

It's about time you grew up!

Using the Special Verb Form

When you say 'It's time for you to mature,' Spanish uses a special verb form (the subjunctive): 'Es hora de que madures.'

Thinking of 'Mature' as only an Adjective

Mistake: “Él es muy madurar.”

Correction: Él ha madurado (He has matured) or Él es maduro (He is mature). Use 'madurar' for the action and 'maduro' for the description.

envejecer

/en-be-he-SEHR//enbexeˈθer/

verbB1general
Use 'envejecer' specifically when referring to the physical process of aging, or when talking about the aging of wine or cheese to improve their quality.
A side-by-side illustration of a small green seedling and a large, mature oak tree with a thick trunk and wide canopy.

Examples

Este queso necesita tiempo para envejecer y desarrollar su sabor.

This cheese needs time to mature and develop its flavor.

Todos vamos a envejecer algún día.

We are all going to grow old one day.

Este vino ha envejecido muy bien en la bodega.

This wine has aged very well in the cellar.

Las preocupaciones pueden envejecer a una persona prematuramente.

Worries can make a person age prematurely.

The 'ZC' Change

For words ending in -ecer, like this one, when you say 'I' (yo) in the present, the 'c' changes to 'zc'. So it is 'envejezco,' not 'envejeço'.

Action vs. State

Spanish uses this verb to describe the process of getting older. To describe the state of being old, just use 'ser viejo'.

Avoid 'Hacerse viejo' in formal writing

Mistake: “Mi abuelo se está haciendo viejo.”

Correction: Mi abuelo está envejeciendo.

Personal Growth vs. Physical Aging

Learners often confuse 'madurar' and 'envejecer' by using 'envejecer' for personal development. Remember, 'madurar' is for personality and behavioral growth, while 'envejecer' is primarily for physical aging or the aging process of food and drink.

Related Translations

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