Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| menor | /meˈnoɾ/ | masculine |
| menor de edad | /meˌnoɾ de eˈdad/ | masculine |
When used as a noun, menor or menor de edad refers to a person who is under the legal age. However, menor can also function as an adjective meaning lesser, smaller or less important in terms of size or significance.
Which one should you use?
The word menor can be used colloquially to refer to a minor, whereas menor de edad is the standard, more precise term used in legal and formal contexts to specify someone under the legal age. Additionally, menor can be used as an adjective to mean something of lesser importance, whereas menor de edad specifically refers to a person's legal status.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina and Uruguay, the words pibe or piba are used to refer to a young person. In Spain, chaval or chavala is commonly used to refer to a young person, usually a teenager.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When referring to a female minor, the phrase menor de edad remains unchanged. If you are using the noun menor, it can be preceded by the feminine article la (la menor) to specify a female. The plural form of menor de edad is menores de edad.
How do you pronounce it?
/meˈnoɾ/
Did you know?
- The Spanish word for age, edad, is a distant linguistic relative of the English words 'eternity' and 'eon'.
- In some Caribbean contexts, using menor as a noun can be a slang way to refer to a younger friend or a protégé, regardless of their legal age.
- While menor means 'minor' or 'lesser', the word mayor is used for both 'major' and 'older' when comparing siblings.
Examples in context
- Es una herida menor.It's a minor wound.This sentence shows the use of menor as an adjective meaning insignificant or small.Tatoeba #7464472 by arh, translation #9678971 by DJ_Saidez
- Es un problema menor.It's a minor problem.This sentence shows the use of menor as an adjective meaning small or minor.Tatoeba #7464474 by arh, translation #7464479 by CK
- Él interpretó un rol menor en la obra.He played a minor part in the play.This sentence shows the use of menor as an adjective meaning lesser in importance.Tatoeba #1309428 by marcelostockle, translation #290735 by CM
- Mi hermana es menor de edad y necesita el permiso de nuestros padres para viajar.My sister is a minor and needs our parents' permission to travel.
- Los jóvenes menores de edad deben estar acompañados por un adulto en el evento.Minors should be accompanied by an adult at the event.
- ¡Ten cuidado! Hay niños jugando en la calle.Be careful! There are kids playing in the street.
- Los chavales están jugando al fútbol en el parque.The kids are playing soccer in the park.
- 14 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Sofía are discussing a legal rule at a cinema.
- Daniel¿Puede entrar este niño a la película?Can this boy enter the movie?
- SofíaNo, porque es un menor.No, because he is a minor.
- DanielEntiendo, ¿debe venir un adulto con él?I see, does an adult have to come with him?
- SofíaSí, Daniel, un adulto debe acompañar al menor.Yes, Daniel, an adult must accompany the minor.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “minor” translations and entries menor, menor de edad, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, edad, menor, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
