jung
/jʊŋ(k)/
The German word for young is jung.
The adjective jung is used to describe someone or something belonging to the early part of life. While jung is the standard adjective, German also has several nouns to describe offspring, such as Nachkomme, Nachwuchs and Brut.
Meaning: belonging in the early part of life (adj)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When using jung as an adjective before a masculine noun in the nominative case, it takes the ending -e, such as in ein junger Mann.
How do you pronounce it?
/jʊŋ(k)/
Did you know?
- If you are talking about 'young talent' in a professional context, you might hear the word Nachwuchs, which literally translates to 'after-growth'.
- The German word jung is a direct linguistic sibling to the English word 'young', as both descend from the same Proto-Indo-European root.
- While jung describes age, the word jung is also used in the phrase jung geblieben, which is a common way to compliment someone for staying 'young at heart'.
Examples in context
- Er ist zu jung.He is too young.This sentence is useful for expressing that someone is too young.Tatoeba #8843256 by wolfgangth, translation #5246418 by Adelpa
- Er ist so jung.He's so young.This sentence is useful for stating that someone is very young.Tatoeba #10242236 by wolfgangth, translation #1901646 by Spamster
- Du bist so jung!You're so young.This sentence is useful for telling someone they are very young.Tatoeba #1909265 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1895566 by CK
- Die junge Generation ist sehr vielversprechend.The young generation is very promising.
- Der junge Hund ist sehr verspielt.The young dog is very playful.
- Der junge Mann hilft gerne.The young man likes to help.
- Die junge Frau spricht fließend Deutsch.The young woman speaks fluent German.
- Meine jungen Geschwister gehen in dieselbe Schule.My young siblings go to the same school.
- Er ist noch jung und möchte die Welt bereisen.He is still young and wants to travel the world.
- Da kommt ein Jungspund, der gerade 18 geworden ist.Here comes a young whippersnapper who just turned 18.
- Der kleine Jungspund meint, er weiß alles.The little whippersnapper thinks he knows it all.
- Der lausbubische Junge hat wieder Streiche gespielt.The rascal boy played pranks again.
- 1142 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julian and Laura are talking about a new colleague at work.
- JulianIst der neue Kollege sehr jung?Is the new colleague very young?
- LauraJa, er ist noch sehr jung.Yes, he is still very young.
- JulianEr wirkt sehr jung für diesen Job.He seems very young for this job.
- LauraAber er ist sehr talentiert.But he is very talented.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “young” translations and entries jung, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries jung, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
