infancia
/infanθja/from spelling rules
The Spanish word for childhood is infancia.
infancia is a noun used to describe the time when someone is a child. You can also use the related adjective infantil to describe things that relate to children or the period of childhood.
Meaning: time when one is a child (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
When referring to the abstract concept of childhood in a general sense, it is common in Spanish to use the definite article la before the word, as in la infancia.
How do you pronounce it?
/infanθja/
Did you know?
- The word infancia shares the same root as the English word 'infant', but in Spanish, the connection to the Latin root 'fāns' suggests a literal meaning of 'unable to speak'.
- While infancia is used for the stage of life, Spanish speakers often use the phrase niñez to emphasize the innocence and playfulness of being a child.
- In Spanish, the adjective infantil can be used as a critique to describe an adult's behavior as 'childish' or 'immature', similar to the English word 'infantile'.
Examples in context
- Me recuerda a mi infancia.It reminds me of my childhood.This sentence is useful for expressing how something triggers a memory of the form infancia.Tatoeba #1535499 by marcelostockle, translation #1314154 by CM
- Tuve una infancia horrible.I had a horrible childhood.This sentence is useful for describing a negative experience during the form infancia.Tatoeba #2711191 by teskmon, translation #2331593 by CK
- Tuvo una infancia infausta.He had an unhappy childhood.This sentence is useful for describing an unhappy period of the form infancia.Tatoeba #5905386 by arh, translation #11903519 by DJ_Saidez
- El estudio de la infancia es fundamental para comprender el desarrollo humano.The study of childhood is essential to understand human development.
- Ella disfrutó mucho de su niñez jugando en el parque cercano.She really enjoyed her childhood playing in the nearby park.
- Durante mi niñez, solía pasar horas jugando en el río cercano con mis amigos.During my childhood, I used to spend hours playing in the nearby river with my friends.
- El libro explora la importancia de la infancia en la formación de nuestra identidad.The book explores the importance of childhood in shaping our identity.
- Mis abuelos solían contarme historias de su infancia mientras nos sentábamos junto al fuego.My grandparents used to tell me stories from their childhood while we sat by the fire.
- ¡Disfruta recordando tu infancia!Enjoy remembering your childhood!
- 52 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Alejandro are talking about their old photo albums.
- Elena¿Qué te parece esta foto de tu infancia?What do you think of this photo from your childhood?
- Alejandro¡Es increíble! No la veía desde hace años.It's incredible! I haven't seen it in years.
- ElenaParece que Alejandro era un niño muy travieso.It looks like Alejandro was a very mischievous boy.
- AlejandroSí, siempre me metía en problemas.Yes, I was always getting into trouble.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries infancia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
