pubertad
/pubeɾˈtad/feminine
The English word 'puberty' is translated into Spanish as pubertad.
pubertad refers to the age at which a person is first capable of sexual reproduction.
Meaning: age at which a person is first capable of sexual reproduction (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain and some Latin American countries, the expression la edad del pavo, which literally means 'the age of the turkey', is used to refer to puberty.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun pubertad is feminine and is preceded by the feminine article la.
How do you pronounce it?
/pubeɾˈtad/
Did you know?
- While pubertad is a standard medical term, calling a teenager a pavo can be a playful or mocking way to comment on their behavior during this stage.
- Because la edad del pavo is an idiom, using it can actually be a way to soften the topic. It allows people to talk about a sensitive or embarrassing stage of life with a touch of humor.
- While pubertad is the strictly scientific term, using it in casual conversation might sound overly clinical or cold. In a social setting, a person would more likely refer to the 'awkward years' using colloquialisms.
Examples in context
- Desde una perspectiva social, la menarquia normalmente se considera el acontecimiento central de la pubertad femenina – pero la menarquia no necesariamente indica que la ovulación haya comenzado.From a social perspective, menarche is typically considered the central event of female puberty – but menarche does not necessarily signal that ovulation has begun occurring.This sentence shows the use of pubertad in a social and biological context.Tatoeba #3802275 by cueyayotl, translation #3152366 by Vanilla
- Bienvenido a la pubertad.Welcome to puberty.This sentence provides a short, direct greeting using pubertad.Tatoeba #10502357 by DJ_Saidez, translation #10502354 by DJ_Saidez
- La adolescencia es la etapa comprendida entre la pubertad y el adulterio.Adolescence is the stage between puberty and adultery.This sentence uses pubertad to describe a stage of life within a larger timeline.Tatoeba #13570724 by carlosalberto, translation #3149533 by carlosalberto
- La pubertad es una etapa de cambios físicos y hormonalesPuberty is a stage of physical and hormonal changes
- Durante la adolescencia, se experimenta la pubertadDuring adolescence, puberty is experienced
- El desarrollo sexual se produce durante la pubertadSexual development occurs during puberty
- Está pasando por la edad del pavoHe/She is going through puberty/the age of the turkey
- Está atravesando la etapa púberHe/She is going through the puberty stage
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Javier are discussing a biology textbook at a library.
- ElenaLa pubertad es un tema clave en este libro.Puberty is a key topic in this book.
- JavierEs cierto, explica muchos cambios físicos.It is true, it explains many physical changes.
- Elena¿Crees que es muy difícil de entender?Do you think it is very difficult to understand?
- JavierNo, la explicación de la pubertad es muy clara.No, the explanation of puberty is very clear.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “puberty” translations and entries pubertad, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
