Joven
/xoben/from spelling rules
The Spanish word for young is Joven.
Joven is an adjective used to describe someone or something belonging to the early part of life. In different contexts, other words may be used to specify age: for example, the formal term Preadolescente refers specifically to a preteen, typically someone between 10 and 12 years old.
Meaning: belonging in the early part of life (adj)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina and Uruguay, the informal terms Pibe or Piba are commonly used to mean a guy or a girl.
How do you pronounce it?
/xoben/
Did you know?
- The term joven is invariable in gender, meaning it stays the same whether you are describing a man or a woman.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, calling a man joven can actually be used as a formal way to address a stranger, similar to 'sir' or 'young man'.
- The Spanish word joven is a descendant of the Latin word iuvenis, which is also the root of the English word 'juvenile'.
Examples in context
- Él no es joven.He is not young.This sentence shows how to negate the adjective Joven.Tatoeba #1237094 by Shishir, translation #1774788 by jandrade
- Tom se ve joven.Tom looks young.This sentence is useful for describing how someone appears using Joven.Tatoeba #1284317 by marcelostockle, translation #1024521 by CK
- Él es muy joven.He is very young.This sentence demonstrates using a modifier with Joven.Tatoeba #1433837 by marcelostockle, translation #1433836 by CK
- El nuevo director de la empresa es un hombre joven y talentoso.The new company director is a young and talented man.
- Mi hijo es preadolescente y está empezando a explorar nuevas actividades.My child is a preteen and is starting to explore new activities.
- 525 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Elena are talking about a new neighbor.
- MateoEs un vecino muy joven.He is a very young neighbor.
- Elena¿De verdad es tan joven?Is he really that young?
- MateoSí, parece un estudiante.Yes, he looks like a student.
- ElenaQué bien que sea joven.It is good that he is young.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Joven, joven, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
