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"Adolescente" is a noun which is often translated as "teenager", and "quinceañero" is a noun which is often translated as "fifteen-year-old". Learn more about the difference between "adolescente" and "quinceañero" below.
el adolescente, la adolescente, adolescente(
ah
-
doh
-
leh
-
sehn
-
teh
)This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
a. teenager
Cuando era adolescente, tuve muchos problemas afectivos.When I was a teenager, I had a lot of emotional problems.
b. teen
Los adolescentes no quieren que sus padres los traten como niños.Teens don't want their parents to treat them like kids.
c. adolescent (technical)
A word or phrase that is only used by experts, professionals, or academics in a particular field (e.g., exposition).
A los adolescentes les resulta difícil enfrentarse a los cambios hormonales que experimentan.It is difficult for adolescents to deal with the hormonal changes they experience.
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
2. (young)
a. teenage
Mis problemas adolescentes ahora me parecen insignificantes.My teenage problems seem insignificant now.
b. teen
Me identificaba mucho con la angustia adolescente que expresaba la música de esa banda.I identified a lot with the teen angst expressed in that band's music.
c. adolescent
Una persona empieza a descubrirse en los años adolescentes.People start to discover themselves during their adolescent years.
el quinceañero, la quinceañera(
keen
-
seh
-
ah
-
nyeh
-
roh
)This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
a. fifteen-year-old
A veces lo trato como a un adulto, olvidando que es un quinceañero.Sometimes I treat him as an adult, forgetting that he's a fifteen-year-old.
2. (adolescent)
a. teenager
A la mayoría de los quinceañeros les gusta Justin Beiber.Most teenagers love Justin Beiber.
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
a. fifteen-year-old
¿El bebé es su único hijo? - No, también tiene una hija quinceañera.Is the baby her only child? - No, she also has a fifteen-year-old girl.
4. (adolescent)
a. teenage
En la entrada de la discoteca había un montón de chicos y chicas quinceañeros.There were a lot of teenage boys and girls at the entrance to the club.
