âge adulte
/aʒ a.dylt/masculine
Adulthood is translated into French as âge adulte. Wiktionary also lists majorité.
Meaning: time of life (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| âge adulte | /aʒ a.dylt/ /ɑʒ a.dylt/ |
masculine |
| majorité | /ma.ʒɔ.ʁi.te/ | feminine |
The term refers to the time of life or the state of being an adult.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase âge adulte literally translates to 'adult age'.
Which one should you use?
Use âge adulte to refer to the general stage of life or the state of being an adult. In contrast, use majorité when you are referring specifically to the legal status of being an adult or reaching the age of majority.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, Canada, the term majorité is commonly used to refer to adulthood.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say 'in adulthood', use the prepositional phrase à l'âge adulte.
Did you know?
- The word adulte is a 'learned borrowing', meaning it was adopted directly from Latin into French through scholarly writing rather than evolving naturally through common speech.
- In French legal contexts, reaching majorité often triggers the 'right to vote' and 'legal capacity' simultaneously, whereas some English-speaking cultures split these milestones.
- The term majorité is built from majeur, which shares the same root as the English word 'major', meaning 'greater'.
Examples in context
- Atteindre l'âge adulte est une étape importante dans la vie.Reaching adulthood is an important milestone in life.
- La majorité est atteinte à l'âge de dix-huit ans.Adulthood is reached at the age of eighteen.
- Je me sens enfin arrivé à l'âge où l'on est grand.I finally feel like I've reached adulthood.
- J'essaie de m'habituer à la vie d'adulte.I'm trying to get used to adult life.
- Il faut assumer ses responsabilités à l'âge adulte.One must take on responsibilities in adulthood.
- L'âge adulte apporte de nouveaux défis.Adulthood brings new challenges.
- Elle se sent enfin prête pour l'âge adulte.She finally feels ready for adulthood.
Example conversation
Emma and Gabriel are talking about growing up.
- EmmaTu aimes l'âge adulte, Gabriel ?Do you like adulthood, Gabriel?
- GabrielC'est difficile, mais c'est intéressant.It's difficult, but it's interesting.
- EmmaJe préfère être enfant.I prefer being a child.
- GabrielMoi aussi, c'était plus simple.Me too, it was simpler.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “adulthood” translations and entries âge adulte, majorité, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries adulte, majorité, âge, CC BY-SA 4.0.
