mature
mature in 30 Sekunden
- Mature describes individuals who act with responsibility and wisdom beyond their years.
- It refers to biological entities like plants or animals that are fully grown and developed.
- In business, it signifies a stable market or industry that is no longer growing rapidly.
- It can describe food and drink, like cheese or wine, that has been aged for better flavor.
The word mature is a multifaceted adjective that primarily describes a state of full development, whether in a biological, psychological, or systemic sense. At its core, it suggests that something has moved past the volatile stages of growth and has reached a point of stability, wisdom, or completion. When we call a person mature, we are not just commenting on their age; we are praising their ability to handle complex situations with a level head and a sense of responsibility. This psychological maturity is often contrasted with 'childish' or 'impulsive' behavior.
- Psychological Maturity
- Refers to emotional intelligence and the ability to respond to the environment in an appropriate manner. This involves self-control and the capacity to delay gratification.
- Biological Maturity
- The state of being fully grown or developed. In plants, this might mean they are ready for harvest; in animals, it means they are capable of reproduction.
- Economic Maturity
- A stage where a market or industry is no longer seeing rapid growth but remains stable and profitable. This is often seen in 'mature markets' like the automotive industry in developed nations.
"Despite being only eighteen, Sarah showed a mature attitude toward the family crisis, taking charge of the household chores and supporting her younger siblings."
Beyond people, the term extends to products and systems. A 'mature product' is one that has been on the market long enough for its flaws to be ironed out. Similarly, a 'mature wine' or 'mature cheese' has been aged to perfection, allowing its flavors to deepen and become more complex. This process of aging is essential for quality, suggesting that time is a necessary ingredient for maturity.
"The tech industry is moving from a wild growth phase into a more mature phase where regulation and ethics are becoming central concerns."
In a broader philosophical sense, maturity involves the recognition that one is not the center of the universe. It is the transition from the ego-centric view of a child to the socio-centric view of an adult. This is why we often use the term in professional settings to describe leadership qualities. A mature leader is one who can take criticism without becoming defensive and who makes decisions based on long-term benefits rather than short-term gains.
"The oak tree is now mature, providing a vast canopy of shade that wasn't possible a decade ago."
- Investment Maturity
- In finance, a bond reaches maturity when the principal amount is paid back to the investor. This marks the end of the investment's lifecycle.
Using the word mature correctly requires an understanding of its various shades of meaning. It is most commonly used as an adjective, but it can also function as a verb (to mature). When used as an adjective, it typically precedes a noun or follows a linking verb like 'is' or 'seems'.
- Describing People
- Use it to compliment someone's behavior. 'He is very mature for his age.' This implies they act older and more responsibly than their peers.
- Describing Biological Entities
- Use it for plants, animals, or even cells. 'The mature cells were then analyzed in the lab.' This indicates they have reached full growth.
- Describing Financial Instruments
- In a professional context, you might say, 'The bond will mature in five years.' Here, it functions as a verb meaning to reach the date when payment is due.
"The company decided to exit the mature market of desktop PCs to focus on emerging mobile technologies."
When using 'mature' as a verb, it describes the process of becoming mature. For example, 'The wine needs to mature for another three years.' This suggests a transformation over time. In a social context, you might say, 'He has matured a lot since he started his new job,' meaning he has become more responsible.
"As the project matures, we expect to see more consistent results and fewer technical glitches."
The word mature is ubiquitous across various domains, from casual conversation to highly technical fields. In everyday life, you'll hear it in school reports ('Johnny is a mature student'), at the dinner table ('This cheddar has a lovely mature flavor'), or in relationship advice ('You need to have a mature conversation about your future').
- In Business and Economics
- You will frequently encounter 'mature markets' or 'mature industries' in news reports and financial analyses. This refers to sectors where growth has leveled off.
- In Science and Nature
- Documentaries often speak of 'mature specimens' or 'mature ecosystems', referring to environments that have reached a stable climax state.
- In Finance
- Bankers and investors use 'maturity' and 'mature' when discussing bonds, insurance policies, and investment terms.
"The analyst noted that the smartphone industry is now a mature sector, with innovation slowing down compared to the previous decade."
In the arts, critics might describe a writer's 'mature style', meaning their later work which shows more skill and depth than their early attempts. In film ratings, 'Mature' (often 'M' or 'MA') indicates content intended for adults, usually involving complex themes, violence, or language.
"The director's latest film shows a mature handling of grief and loss, moving away from the flashy action of his youth."
Despite its common usage, learners often make specific errors with mature. One frequent mistake is confusing it with 'adult'. While all adults are (hopefully) mature, not all mature behavior comes from adults. 'Mature' describes a quality, while 'adult' describes a biological or legal status.
- Mistake: Using 'mature' for 'old'
- Incorrect: 'My mature grandfather lives in Florida.' Correct: 'My elderly grandfather lives in Florida.' Use 'mature' to describe his behavior or wisdom, not just his age.
- Mistake: Confusion with 'ripen'
- While fruit 'ripens', we usually say it reaches 'maturity'. However, in casual speech, people often say 'ripe' for fruit and 'mature' for cheese or wine. Using 'mature' for a banana sounds strange.
"Don't say: 'The banana is very mature.' Say: 'The banana is very ripe.'"
Understanding synonyms for mature helps in choosing the most precise word for your context. While 'mature' is versatile, other words might fit better depending on whether you are talking about growth, behavior, or time.
- Grown-up
- A more informal synonym for mature behavior. 'That was a very grown-up thing to do.'
- Developed
- Used for systems, economies, or physical bodies. 'A highly developed sense of humor.'
- Sober / Sensible
- Focuses on the serious and responsible side of maturity. 'A sensible approach to the problem.'
- Aged
- Used specifically for food, drink, or sometimes people (though 'aged' for people can sound very old). 'Aged whiskey' is a common term.
"While mature implies wisdom, 'sophisticated' implies culture and complexity. A person can be mature but not sophisticated."
How Formal Is It?
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Aussprachehilfe
Schwierigkeitsgrad
Wichtige Grammatik
Beispiele nach Niveau
The big dog is mature.
Anjing besar itu sudah dewasa.
Simple adjective usage.
He is a mature boy.
Dia anak laki-laki yang dewasa.
Adjective before noun.
The cat is mature now.
Kucing itu sekarang sudah dewasa.
Linking verb 'is'.
Is he mature?
Apakah dia dewasa?
Question form.
She is not mature.
Dia tidak dewasa.
Negative form.
They are mature students.
Mereka adalah siswa yang dewasa.
Plural usage.
This is mature cheese.
Ini keju yang sudah lama.
Describing food.
The tree is mature.
Pohon itu sudah besar/tua.
Describing nature.
You are very mature for your age.
Kamu sangat dewasa untuk usiamu.
Common phrase 'for your age'.
We need a mature person for this job.
Kami butuh orang yang dewasa untuk pekerjaan ini.
Adjective modifying 'person'.
The fruit is not mature yet.
Buahnya belum matang/dewasa.
Using 'not... yet'.
He acts in a mature way.
Dia bertindak dengan cara yang dewasa.
Adverbial phrase 'in a ... way'.
She has a mature voice.
Dia memiliki suara yang dewasa.
Describing physical traits.
This wine is mature and tasty.
Anggur ini sudah lama dan enak.
Compound adjectives.
The plant reached a mature size.
Tanaman itu mencapai ukuran dewasa.
Past tense verb 'reached'.
It was a mature decision.
Itu adalah keputusan yang dewasa.
Describing an abstract noun.
As you mature, you will understand.
Seiring kamu bertambah dewasa, kamu akan mengerti.
Used as a verb.
The company operates in a mature market.
Perusahaan itu beroperasi di pasar yang sudah matang.
Business terminology.
He showed a mature attitude during the crisis.
Dia menunjukkan sikap yang dewasa selama krisis.
Describing 'attitude'.
The forest consists of mature trees.
Hutan itu terdiri dari pohon-pohon yang sudah tua/besar.
Describing a collective group.
The cheese has a strong, mature flavor.
Kejunya memiliki rasa yang kuat dan matang.
Describing sensory experience.
She is a mature student returning to university.
Dia adalah mahasiswa dewasa yang kembali ke universitas.
Specific educational term.
The investment will mature in ten years.
Investasi itu akan jatuh tempo dalam sepuluh tahun.
Financial verb usage.
They had a mature discussion about their problems.
Mereka melakukan diskusi yang dewasa tentang masalah mereka.
Collocation 'mature discussion'.
A mature response to criticism is essential for growth.
Respon yang dewasa terhadap kritik sangat penting untuk pertumbuhan.
Subject of the sentence.
The technology has reached a mature stage of development.
Teknologi tersebut telah mencapai tahap pengembangan yang matang.
Describing a process.
He is emotionally mature enough to handle the news.
Dia cukup dewasa secara emosional untuk menangani berita itu.
Adverb 'emotionally' modifying 'mature'.
Mature cells have different functions than stem cells.
Sel-sel yang sudah matang memiliki fungsi yang berbeda dari sel punca.
Scientific context.
The bond's maturity date is approaching rapidly.
Tanggal jatuh tempo obligasi tersebut mendekat dengan cepat.
Noun form 'maturity'.
She handles her finances in a very mature manner.
Dia mengelola keuangannya dengan cara yang sangat dewasa.
Prepositional phrase 'in a ... manner'.
The market for tablets is becoming increasingly mature.
Pasar untuk tablet menjadi semakin matang.
Present continuous with 'becoming'.
It takes time for a new democracy to mature.
Butuh waktu bagi demokrasi baru untuk menjadi matang.
Infinitive verb 'to mature'.
The artist's mature works are characterized by minimalism.
Karya-karya matang sang seniman dicirikan oleh minimalisme.
Describing creative output.
Upon reaching maturity, the policy pays out a lump sum.
Setelah mencapai jatuh tempo, polis tersebut membayar jumlah sekaligus.
Gerund phrase 'Upon reaching'.
He possesses a mature understanding of geopolitical issues.
Dia memiliki pemahaman yang matang tentang isu-isu geopolitik.
Describing cognitive depth.
The software is now a mature product with a loyal user base.
Perangkat lunak tersebut sekarang merupakan produk yang matang dengan basis pengguna yang setia.
Product lifecycle context.
A mature ecosystem is more resilient to external shocks.
Ekosistem yang matang lebih tahan terhadap guncangan eksternal.
Environmental science context.
She reflected on her youth with a mature perspective.
Dia merenungkan masa mudanya dengan perspektif yang dewasa.
Abstract noun 'perspective'.
The legal system is mature enough to handle such complexities.
Sistem hukum sudah cukup matang untuk menangani kerumitan semacam itu.
Adjective + 'enough'.
The wine's tannins soften as it matures in the bottle.
Tanin anggur melunak saat ia matang di dalam botol.
Subordinate clause with 'as'.
The transition to a mature economy necessitates structural reforms.
Transisi ke ekonomi yang matang memerlukan reformasi struktural.
Formal academic tone.
His mature prose eschews the flowery language of his early novels.
Prosa matangnya menghindari bahasa berbunga-bunga dari novel-novel awalnya.
Literary criticism context.
The project has reached a level of maturity that allows for scaling.
Proyek ini telah mencapai tingkat kematangan yang memungkinkan untuk penskalaan.
Noun form in a complex sentence.
A mature forest acts as a significant carbon sink.
Hutan yang matang bertindak sebagai penyerap karbon yang signifikan.
Scientific terminology.
The court ruled that the defendant lacked the maturity to understand his actions.
Pengadilan memutuskan bahwa terdakwa tidak memiliki kedewasaan untuk memahami tindakannya.
Legal context.
The technology is sufficiently mature to be deployed commercially.
Teknologi tersebut sudah cukup matang untuk diterapkan secara komersial.
Adverb 'sufficiently' modifying 'mature'.
She navigated the diplomatic impasse with mature restraint.
Dia menavigasi kebuntuan diplomatik dengan pengendalian diri yang dewasa.
Collocation 'mature restraint'.
The investment's yield is guaranteed upon maturity.
Hasil investasi dijamin pada saat jatuh tempo.
Financial jargon.
Synonyme
Gegenteile
Häufige Kollokationen
Häufige Phrasen
wise beyond one's years
act your age
fully fledged
in the fullness of time
seasoned professional
long in the tooth
reach full growth
settle down
grow up
take responsibility
Wird oft verwechselt mit
Redewendungen & Ausdrücke
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Leicht verwechselbar
Satzmuster
So verwendest du es
Mature can be a verb, adjective, or part of a noun phrase.
In finance, maturity is a specific date.
- Using 'mature' to mean 'old' for people.
- Using 'mature' for fruit instead of 'ripe'.
- Confusing 'mature' (adj) with 'maturity' (noun).
- Using 'mature' as a synonym for 'boring'.
- Mispronouncing the 'u' sound in the second syllable.
Tipps
Use for Behavior
When a child acts like an adult, 'mature' is the perfect word to use in a positive way.
Noun Form
Don't forget the noun 'maturity'. It is very common in business and psychology.
Business English
Use 'mature industry' to describe sectors like steel or traditional banking.
Cheese Choice
If you like strong cheese, look for the word 'mature' on the label in the UK.
Bond Maturity
In finance, 'mature' is a verb. 'The bond will mature next year.'
Growth
Use it for trees and animals that have finished growing.
Relationships
A 'mature relationship' is one based on trust and communication rather than drama.
Style
An artist's 'mature style' is their best, most developed work.
Not for Fruit
Avoid saying 'mature banana'. Use 'ripe' instead.
Adverb
The adverb is 'maturely'. 'He handled the situation maturely.'
Einprägen
Eselsbrücke
Mature starts with 'M' like 'Mountain' - something big, stable, and has been there a long time.
Wortherkunft
Kultureller Kontext
Commonly used for 'mature cheddar' in supermarkets.
Often used in movie ratings (M for Mature).
Used in business to describe 'mature markets' like Europe or North America.
Im Alltag üben
Kontexte aus dem Alltag
Gesprächseinstiege
"Do you think people are becoming mature later in life nowadays?"
"What is the most mature decision you have ever made?"
"Is it possible for a child to be more mature than an adult?"
"What qualities do you associate with a mature leader?"
"Do you prefer mild or mature cheese?"
Tagebuch-Impulse
Describe a time you had to act maturely in a difficult situation.
What does 'emotional maturity' mean to you?
Write about a mature person you admire and why.
Reflect on how your perspective has matured over the last five years.
Discuss the pros and cons of living in a mature economy.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenYes, but it usually refers to their behavior or wisdom. If you just mean their age, 'middle-aged' or 'older' is better. Calling them 'mature' might imply they finally stopped acting childishly.
In many countries, it is a student who starts university at an older age than the typical 18-year-old, usually 21 or 25 and older.
Usually, yes. It implies responsibility and wisdom. However, in fashion or beauty, 'mature skin' is a polite way of saying skin with wrinkles.
It means a market where there is little room for new growth because most people who want the product already have it.
Yes, if a wine stays in the bottle too long, it can pass its peak and lose its flavor, becoming 'over-mature' or spoiled.
In American English, it is often muh-CHOOR. In British English, it is often muh-TYOOR.
The direct opposite is 'immature'. Other opposites include 'childish', 'undeveloped', or 'green'.
Yes, 'mature technology' refers to tools or software that are well-tested, reliable, and no longer experimental.
It is the ability to manage your emotions and take responsibility for your actions, especially in stressful situations.
A bond matures on its 'maturity date', which is when the borrower must pay back the full original loan amount to the investor.
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Summary
Maturity is a versatile term spanning psychology, biology, and economics, consistently signifying a state of completion, stability, and the transition from volatile growth to reliable performance.
- Mature describes individuals who act with responsibility and wisdom beyond their years.
- It refers to biological entities like plants or animals that are fully grown and developed.
- In business, it signifies a stable market or industry that is no longer growing rapidly.
- It can describe food and drink, like cheese or wine, that has been aged for better flavor.
Use for Behavior
When a child acts like an adult, 'mature' is the perfect word to use in a positive way.
Noun Form
Don't forget the noun 'maturity'. It is very common in business and psychology.
Business English
Use 'mature industry' to describe sectors like steel or traditional banking.
Cheese Choice
If you like strong cheese, look for the word 'mature' on the label in the UK.
Beispiel
Even though he is only twelve, he is very mature and helps his parents with the chores.
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