Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Young in Spanish
Joven · adjective · HOH-vehn
The word 'joven' means young and can function as both an adjective and a noun. As a noun, it means 'young person' or 'youth.' Unlike most Spanish adjectives, 'joven' has the same form for both masculine and feminine, only changing in the plural to 'jóvenes.'
Pronounced HOH-vehn with stress on the first syllable. The 'j' produces a guttural sound similar to a strong English 'h.' The plural 'jóvenes' requires a written accent: HOH-veh-nehs.
Es una mujer joven con mucho talento para la música.
She's a young woman with a lot of talent for music.
Young in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for young, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| joven | young | HOH-vehn | Default, widely understood |
| juvenil | young | youthful/juvenile | |
| pequeño | young | young in age for children |
How Native Speakers Use Joven
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Description
Los jóvenes de hoy tienen acceso a mucha tecnología.
Young people today have access to a lot of technology.
Using joven as a noun to refer to youth collectively.
Appearance
Mi abuela se ve muy joven para su edad.
My grandmother looks very young for her age.
Describing someone who appears younger than expected.
Life stage
Cuando era joven, soñaba con ser astronauta.
When I was young, I dreamed of being an astronaut.
Referring to one's earlier years.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Joven
Adding gender to joven
Incorrect: Ella es muy jóvena.
Correct: Ella es muy joven.
Unlike most adjectives, 'joven' does not change between masculine and feminine — it is invariable for gender.
Wrong plural form
Incorrect: Los jovens son el futuro.
Correct: Los jóvenes son el futuro.
The plural of 'joven' is 'jóvenes' (adding -es and an accent mark), not simply adding -s.
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Common Questions About Young in Spanish
- Does joven change for gender?
- The adjective 'joven' is one of the invariable adjectives in Spanish that maintains the same form regardless of the noun's gender — 'el joven' and 'la joven' are both correct without modification.
- How do I say 'young man' or 'young woman'?
- You can say 'el joven' for young man and 'la joven' for young woman, or more specifically 'el muchacho/la muchacha' for a slightly younger person, or 'el chico/la chica' in casual speech.
- What age range does joven cover?
- The word 'joven' typically refers to someone in their teens through thirties, though perception varies — in formal contexts like addressing a stranger, 'joven' might be used for anyone who appears under 40.