Spanish · Emotions & Descriptions
"Young" in Spanish: joven
joven
Young is joven for both genders in the singular. Write the plural as jóvenes with an accent. A young person is un joven or una joven.
How to pronounce joven: audio and sound guideDescribing a coworker
Mi jefe es joven todavía.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce joven
Say it
HOH-ben
/ˈxoben/
HOH-ben. Stress HOH. The j in joven sounds like a strong h.
"Young" in Spanish: quick reference
| Spanish | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| joven | young; young person Adjective and noun: una joven. | Adjective and noun: una joven. |
| jóvenes | young (plural); young people Accent on jó; means the youth as a group too. | Accent on jó; means the youth as a group too. |
| juvenil | youthful; youth (as in youth league) Related adjective for youth categories. | Related adjective for youth categories. |
| menor | younger; minor Comparative age, or legal minor. | Comparative age, or legal minor. |
How to use joven in real life
- 1Describing a coworker
Mi jefe es joven todavía.
My boss is still young.
Joven stays the same for él.
- 2About a woman
Ella se ve muy joven.
She looks very young.
Joven does not add -a for ella.
- 3At a park
Hay muchos jóvenes hoy.
There are many young people today.
Jóvenes is the plural with an accent.
Mistakes English speakers make with joven
Incorrect: Ella es jovena.
Correct: Ella es joven.
There is no jovena. Joven stays joven for ella.
Incorrect: Los jovenes sin acento.
Correct: Los jóvenes.
Write jóvenes with an accent on ó. Joven is the singular.
Good to know
Good to knowCalling adults joven can sound flattering or slightly teasing, depending on tone. Los jóvenes often means young people as a social group in news and school talk.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Talking about a new team member
ChatPal
El nuevo colega es muy joven.
The new coworker is very young.
You
Sí, pero joven no significa inexperto.
Yes, but young does not mean inexperienced.
ChatPal
Verdad. Es joven, pero aprende rápido.
True. He is young, but he learns fast.
You
Exacto. Me cae bien.
Exactly. I like him.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Young" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Young" in Spanish
Does joven change for gender?
Not in the singular. Él es joven, ella es joven. Plural: jóvenes.
How do you spell the plural of joven?
Jóvenes, with an accent on the ó.
How do you pronounce joven?
HOH-ben. The j sounds like a strong English h.
Can joven be a noun?
Yes. Un joven or una joven means a young man or young woman.
Use these words in a conversation
Find useful phrases for a situation, learn what to say back, and rehearse your part with revealable sample answers.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
Keep reading
- 8 Sentences with Ser in Spanish: Examples and GrammarExplore 8 sentences with ser in spanish covering identity, origin, time, and materials, with translations, grammar tips, and mistakes to avoid.
- 33 in Spanish: How to Say It and Use It NaturallyLearn how to say 33 in Spanish with clear pronunciation, ordinal forms, regional variations, and real example sentences for confident everyday speaking.
