juvenil
/xubenil/from spelling rules
The English word 'juvenile' is translated into Spanish as juvenil.
juvenil is an adjective used to describe things characteristic of youth or immaturity. In common conversation, the word juvenil is less common than the word joven (young) to describe people, whereas juvenil is used for technical, legal or sociological contexts such as delincuencia juvenil.
Meaning: characteristic of youth or immaturity (adj)
Which one should you use?
While juvenil is used for technical, legal or sociological contexts, the word juvenil is less common in everyday conversation than the word joven (young) to describe people.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective juvenil is invariable in gender, meaning it stays the same for both masculine and feminine nouns, but it must change to the plural form juveniles to agree with plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/xubenil/
Did you know?
- In Spanish legal systems, a centro juvenil is not just a school for youth but often refers specifically to a detention center for minors.
- Spanish uses the word juvenil to describe a specific style of literature and cinema, known as novela juvenil, which is more broadly defined than the English 'young adult' genre.
- In Spanish-speaking legal systems, you will see the term tribunal de menores more often than tribunal juvenil to refer to a juvenile court. The word menores (minors) is the standard way to categorize young people in law.
Examples in context
- Tom es un delincuente juvenil.Tom is a juvenile delinquent.This sentence shows how to use juvenil when describing a delinquent.Tatoeba #1522846 by marcelostockle, translation #1522829 by Spamster
- Últimamente la delincuencia juvenil está aumentando.Juvenile delinquency has been on the rise recently.This sentence uses juvenil to describe the rise in delinquency.Tatoeba #8887734 by escudo119, translation #9176777 by DJ_Saidez
- El incremento de la delincuencia juvenil es un problema grave.The increase in juvenile delinquency is a serious problem.This sentence demonstrates the use of juvenil when discussing the seriousness of juvenile delinquency.Tatoeba #360045 by tatoerique, translation #268073 by CM
- justicia para menoresJuvenile justice
- los pibes del barrioThe kids from the neighborhood
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Daniel are discussing a friend's energetic personality.
- Elena¿No crees que Daniel es muy enérgico?Don't you think Daniel is very energetic?
- DanielSí, tiene un espíritu juvenil increíble.Yes, he has an incredible youthful spirit.
- ElenaEs cierto, siempre está muy activo.It's true, he is always very active.
- DanielMe gusta mucho esa energía suya.I really like that energy of his.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
