adulto
/aˈdulto/masculine
The English phrase "adult" is translated into Spanish as adulto.
adulto is used as a noun to refer to a fully grown human and also as an adjective meaning "fully grown".
Meaning: fully grown human (noun)
Which one should you use?
While adulto refers generally to a person's stage of life, if you need to denote someone who has specifically reached the legal age of majority, use mayor de edad.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, persona adulta is frequently used to describe someone who is of legal age or an adult. In Chile and Argentina, the term adulto mayor is commonly used to refer to older adults or senior citizens.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the word changes based on gender and number: use adulta for a feminine adult, adultos for a masculine plural group or a mixed-gender group and adultas when referring exclusively to a group of adult women.
How do you pronounce it?
/aˈdulto/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, the transition to being an adulto is marked by the quinceañera party for girls, which celebrates their fifteenth birthday rather than the legal age of majority.
- The term adulto mayor is a polite euphemism used in Latin America to avoid using the word viejo, which can sound harsh or disrespectful.
- In Spanish, the adjective adulto can be used to describe animals, such as un león adulto, whereas in English 'adult' is more frequently reserved for humans.
Examples in context
- Él es un adulto.He's an adult.This sentence is useful for identifying a male as an adult.Tatoeba #2220453 by marcelostockle, translation #8477350 by CH
- Tom es un adulto.Tom is an adult.This sentence shows how to identify Tom as an adult.Tatoeba #6985226 by cueyayotl, translation #2272937 by CK
- Ahora eres un adulto.You are now an adult.This sentence is useful for stating that someone is now an adult.Tatoeba #564106 by Shishir, translation #16387 by CK
- Es importante respetar las opiniones de los adultos en la sala.It is important to respect the opinions of the adults in the room.
- Las personas mayores tienen derecho a vivir con dignidad.Older adults have the right to live with dignity.
- Cuando sea mayor, quiero viajar por todo el mundo.When I am an adult, I want to travel around the world.
- Los niños deben escuchar las lecciones de las personas grandes.Children should listen to the lessons of the adults.
- El gobierno brinda servicios y beneficios especiales para los adultos mayores.The government provides special services and benefits for senior citizens.
- Es fundamental que la persona adulta tome decisiones responsables.It is essential for the adult to make responsible decisions.
- 31 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and María are discussing the responsibilities of their son.
- JavierÉl ya es un adulto.He is an adult already.
- MaríaSí, tiene muchas responsabilidades ahora.Yes, he has many responsibilities now.
- JavierDebe actuar como un adulto.He must act like an adult.
- MaríaTienes razón, Javier.You are right, Javier.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “adult” translations and entries adulto, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
