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A2 noun 10 min de lecture

juventud

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces juventud en 30 secondes

Explication juventud in your Level:

At the A1 level, the word 'juventud' might appear in very simple texts about family or life stages. Beginners should first learn that it is a feminine noun ('la juventud') and that it means 'youth'. At this stage, you don't need to worry about complex social theories. Focus on the phrase 'en mi juventud' to talk about the past. It is a useful word to know when describing people or looking at photos. You might also see it in signs for 'Juventud' (Youth centers) in Spanish-speaking cities. The most important thing for an A1 learner is to distinguish it from the adjective 'joven' (young). Remember: 'Soy joven' (I am young) vs 'Mi juventud fue feliz' (My youth was happy). You will likely encounter it in basic readings about biography or introductions where someone mentions their age or life history. It's a foundational noun for categorizing the timeline of a human life.

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At the A2 level, you start using 'juventud' to build more complex sentences about your past experiences. You will learn to pair it with simple adjectives like 'buena', 'mala', or 'divertida'. This is the level where you should focus on the collective meaning of the word. You might read short news clips about what 'la juventud' likes to do or what they study. You should be able to understand sentences like 'La juventud de hoy usa mucho internet'. You are also expected to recognize the word in the context of government services or youth hostels (Albergues de Juventud). A2 learners should practice using 'juventud' as a singular noun even when it refers to a group of people. This helps solidify your understanding of collective nouns in Spanish, which is a key grammar point at this stage. You might also start to see it in simple proverbs or popular sayings about being young and having energy.

At the B1 level, 'juventud' becomes a tool for discussing social issues and personal development. You will use it to express opinions about the younger generation's challenges, such as employment or education. You should be comfortable using it in the subjunctive or with conditional sentences, such as 'Si la juventud tuviera más oportunidades...'. At this stage, you will encounter the word in more formal contexts, such as essays or debated topics in class. You will also learn more specific collocations like 'juventud acumulada' (a humorous way to say someone is old but youthful) or 'fountain of youth' (la fuente de la juventud). B1 learners should also be able to distinguish between 'juventud' and 'adolescencia' with more precision, understanding that 'juventud' is a broader social category. You will likely hear it in podcasts or interviews where speakers reflect on how their 'juventud' shaped their current adult lives, requiring you to follow a narrative arc.

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At the B2 level, you are expected to understand the nuance and cultural weight of 'juventud'. You will encounter it in literature, such as the famous poems of Rubén Darío, and you should be able to analyze its symbolic meaning. You will use the word to discuss complex sociological concepts, such as the 'brecha generacional' (generation gap) and how it affects 'la juventud'. At this level, you should be able to use the word in formal debates, utilizing professional vocabulary related to demographics and social policy. You will also recognize the word in idiomatic expressions and metaphors, such as 'la juventud del alma' (youth of the soul). B2 learners should be able to write detailed reports or essays about the state of 'la juventud' in their own country compared to Spanish-speaking countries, using the word with perfect grammatical agreement and sophisticated adjectives like 'emprendedora', 'desilusionada', or 'vanguardista'.

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At the C1 level, your use of 'juventud' should be indistinguishable from that of a native speaker. You will understand its use in high-level political discourse, where it is often used as a rhetorical device to inspire or to blame. You will be familiar with the plural 'juventudes' in the context of political history (e.g., 'las juventudes hitlerianas' or 'las juventudes de un partido'). You can appreciate the word's role in philosophy, discussing the 'essence of youth' as a fleeting state of human existence. You will be able to interpret subtle irony or sarcasm involving the word. At this stage, you are also expected to know rare synonyms like 'mocedad' and understand when they are appropriate to use (e.g., in a literary critique). Your ability to use 'juventud' in complex sentence structures, such as 'A pesar de la aparente apatía de la juventud contemporánea...', shows a mastery of both the word and the advanced syntax of the Spanish language.

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At the C2 level, 'juventud' is a word you can manipulate with absolute precision and stylistic flair. You understand its etymological roots (from the Latin 'iuventus') and how its meaning has evolved over centuries of Spanish literature. You can engage in academic discussions about the 'social construction of youth' (la construcción social de la juventud) and cite historical contexts where the term was used differently. You are capable of using the word in creative writing to evoke specific atmospheres, whether it's the 'lozanía' of a character or the 'juventud marchita' (withered youth) of a tragic figure. You understand the most obscure idioms and can even create your own metaphors using the word. At this level, 'juventud' is not just a vocabulary item but a conceptual building block that you use to navigate the highest levels of intellectual and artistic expression in Spanish.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

juventud en 30 secondes

Juventud means 'youth' and is a feminine noun in Spanish used to describe the life stage.
It also acts as a collective noun for 'young people' (the youth) as a demographic group.
The most common phrase is 'en mi juventud' to talk about past experiences.
Grammatically, it is singular: 'La juventud es...' (The youth is...), never plural unless referring to organizations.

The Spanish word juventud is a feminine noun that serves two primary conceptual roles in the Spanish language. First, it refers to the chronological period of life between childhood and adulthood—what we call 'youth' in English. Second, it functions as a collective noun to describe 'young people' as a whole segment of society. Understanding this duality is crucial for English speakers because while English often uses 'the youth' or 'young people' interchangeably, Spanish frequently relies on the singular la juventud to encompass the entire demographic.

The Abstract Concept: Refers to the state of being young, often associated with vigor, idealism, and the absence of aging. It is frequently used in nostalgic contexts or philosophical discussions about time.

Recordaba con nostalgia los viajes espontáneos de su juventud.

In a sociological sense, juventud is the target of public policy and marketing. When a politician speaks about 'helping the youth,' they use la juventud. It carries a certain weight and formality that the plural los jóvenes (young people) sometimes lacks, though they are often used as synonyms in casual speech. Interestingly, Spanish speakers also use the term to describe the quality of appearing or feeling young, regardless of actual age.

The Collective Group: Used to describe the younger generation as a block. For example, 'La juventud de hoy' means 'The youth of today'.

La juventud actual está muy concienciada con el cambio climático.

Culturally, the concept of juventud is highly valued in Hispanic societies, often linked to the idea of 'la alegría de vivir' (the joy of living). It is not just a biological stage but a cultural identity. In literature, from the poems of Rubén Darío to modern lyrics, it is depicted as a 'divine treasure' (divino tesoro) that is fleeting and precious. This poetic resonance makes the word feel slightly more evocative than its English counterpart.

Metaphorical Usage: It can describe the early stages of a project or a nation. 'La juventud de una democracia' refers to its early, formative years.

A pesar de su edad, mantiene la juventud de su espíritu.

In summary, when you use juventud, you are speaking about more than just age. You are speaking about a period of discovery, a group of people with shared potential, and a spirit of vitality. Whether you are discussing history, politics, or personal memories, this word provides a sophisticated way to categorize the experience of being young.

Using juventud correctly involves understanding its grammatical gender and its role as a collective noun. As a feminine noun, it always takes the article la or una. One of the most common ways to use it is in the prepositional phrase en mi juventud (in my youth), which is the standard way to talk about one's past during that life stage.

Talking About the Past: When recounting stories, juventud sets the scene for events that happened years ago but after childhood.

En mi juventud, no existían los teléfonos móviles.

Another frequent usage is as the subject of a sentence describing a social trend. Because it is a collective noun, the verb that follows must be in the third-person singular, even though you are referring to many people. This is a common point of confusion for English speakers who might want to use a plural verb.

Describing Qualities: You can use adjectives to describe the type of youth someone had. Common adjectives include 'alegre' (happy), 'rebelde' (rebellious), or 'difícil' (difficult).

Tuvo una juventud llena de aventuras y descubrimientos.

In formal or academic writing, juventud is often paired with verbs like fomentar (to encourage) or apoyar (to support). It appears in titles of government departments, such as the 'Ministerio de Juventud e Infancia' in Spain. This highlights its status as a formal category for administration.

Idiomatic Expressions: Phrases like 'eterna juventud' (eternal youth) are common in marketing and literature to describe the desire to stay young forever.

Muchos productos prometen el secreto de la eterna juventud.

Lastly, consider the contrast with vejez (old age). Using these two words together creates a powerful rhetorical balance in Spanish, often used to describe the full arc of a human life. Mastering juventud allows you to talk about time, biology, and society with precision.

The word juventud is ubiquitous across the Spanish-speaking world, but its frequency and nuance vary depending on the setting. In the media, particularly news broadcasts and newspapers, you will hear it used to discuss demographic shifts, unemployment rates (paro juvenil or desempleo en la juventud), and social movements. It is the preferred term for sociological analysis.

In the Media: News anchors often use it to speak about the 'future of the nation'. It sounds authoritative and encompassing.

El informe destaca los desafíos que enfrenta la juventud rural.

In literature and music, juventud takes on a more romantic and nostalgic tone. One of the most famous lines in Spanish poetry is by the Nicaraguan poet Rubén Darío: 'Juventud, divino tesoro, ¡ya te vas para no volver!' (Youth, divine treasure, you are leaving, never to return!). This specific phrase is so deeply embedded in the culture that even people who don't read poetry will quote it when they feel a 'mid-life crisis' or a moment of nostalgia.

In Family Conversations: Grandparents and parents often use it to compare their upbringing with that of the current generation. It often precedes a 'back in my day' story.

¡Qué cosas tiene la juventud de ahora!

You will also encounter it in the names of sports clubs and leagues. While 'Junior' is often used (borrowed from English), 'Juventud' remains a classic name for local soccer teams, signifying the energy and potential of the players. In religious contexts, 'Pastoral de Juventud' refers to youth ministry. It is a word that bridges the gap between the formal institution and the lived experience of young people.

In Advertising: Beauty products and health supplements frequently use juventud to sell the idea of vitality and skin elasticity.

Esta crema devuelve la juventud a tu piel en solo siete días.

Finally, in academic and professional settings, juventud is used in the names of scholarships (becas de juventud) and cultural centers. It is a term that commands respect while referring to a stage of life characterized by change. Whether you're in a museum, a government office, or a coffee shop listening to an old man reminisce, juventud is the word that anchors the conversation in the concept of 'the young'.

For English speakers, the most common mistake with juventud is confusing it with the adjective joven (young) or the plural noun jóvenes (young people). While they are related, they function differently in a sentence. You cannot use juventud as an adjective; you cannot say 'un hombre juventud'—it must be 'un hombre joven'.

Gender Errors: Many learners assume words ending in -d are masculine, but -tud words are feminine. Avoid saying 'el juventud'.

Incorrect: El juventud es corto. Correct: La juventud es corta.

Another mistake involves verb agreement. Since juventud is a collective noun, English speakers often want to use a plural verb because they are thinking of 'the youth' as 'them'. In Spanish, the noun is singular, so the verb must be singular. 'La juventud está preocupada' (The youth are worried) is the correct form.

Confusing Juventud with Adolescencia: Adolescencia is specifically the teenage years. Juventud is broader and often includes people in their 20s or even early 30s.

Él ya no es un adolescente, pero todavía está en su juventud.

Misusing the plural juventudes is another pitfall. While juventudes exists, it is almost exclusively used for political or social organizations (like 'Juventudes Comunistas'). In 99% of daily conversations, you should stick to the singular juventud even if you are talking about many young people.

Word Order and Prepositions: English speakers often say 'When I was youth' which is a literal translation. In Spanish, you must say 'Cuando era joven' (When I was young) or 'En mi juventud' (In my youth).

Incorrect: Cuando era juventud... Correct: En mi juventud...

Finally, don't confuse juventud with rejuvenecer (to rejuvenate/look younger). While they share the same root, juventud is the state, and rejuvenecer is the action. Understanding these distinctions will prevent you from sounding unnatural or grammatically incorrect in your Spanish conversations.

Spanish offers several words that overlap with juventud, each with its own specific nuance. Choosing the right one depends on whether you are being technical, poetic, or casual. Here is a comparison of the most common alternatives.

Juventud vs. Adolescencia: Adolescencia refers strictly to the biological and psychological period of puberty (roughly ages 12-18). Juventud is more expansive and socially defined, often reaching into the late 20s.

La juventud es un estado mental; la adolescencia es un cambio hormonal.

Another word you might encounter in literature is mocedad. This is an archaic or very formal term for youth. You won't hear it in the street, but you will see it in classic Spanish novels or old songs. It carries a sense of 'early manhood' or 'maidenhood'.

Juventud vs. Niñez: Niñez (childhood) ends where juventud begins. While niñez is about play and innocence, juventud is about finding one's place in the world.

Pasó de la niñez a la juventud sin darse cuenta.

In casual conversation, you might simply use los jóvenes (the young people) instead of la juventud. Los jóvenes sounds more like a group of individuals, whereas la juventud sounds like a concept or a social class. If you are talking about your friends, say 'mis amigos' or 'los chicos', never 'mi juventud'.

Juventud vs. Pubertad: Pubertad is a medical/biological term. It is far less common in general conversation than juventud.

La juventud abarca mucho más que la simple pubertad.

Finally, the word vitalidad (vitality) can sometimes be a synonym in a metaphorical sense. If you say someone has 'mucha juventud', you usually mean they have a lot of energy or a youthful spirit. Understanding these synonyms helps you navigate different levels of formality and emotion in Spanish.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The Latin root 'iuvenis' is also the source of the English word 'juvenile' and the month 'June' (dedicated to the goddess of youth).

Guide de prononciation

UK /xu.βen.ˈtuð/

US /xu.βen.ˈtuð/

The stress is on the final syllable: ju-ven-TUD.

Rime avec

actitud gratitud virtud multitud altitud latitud solicitud quietud

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing the 'j' like the English 'j' in 'jump'.
Pronouncing the 'v' like a sharp English 'v' (it should be softer).
Stressing the second syllable (ju-VEN-tud) instead of the third.
Making the final 'd' too hard like a 't' or 'd' in 'dog'.
Forgetting the word is feminine: it's LA juventud.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 2/5

Easy to recognize due to English cognates like 'juvenile'.

Écriture 3/5

Requires remembering the feminine gender and the final -d.

Expression orale 3/5

Stress on the final syllable is important for clarity.

Écoute 2/5

Distinctive ending makes it easy to hear.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

joven niño viejo vida tiempo

Apprends ensuite

adolescencia madurez vejez etapa generación

Avancé

mocedad lozanía senectud pubertad efervescencia

Grammaire à connaître

Feminine nouns ending in -tud

La juventud, la multitud, la gratitud.

Collective nouns with singular verbs

La juventud *piensa* (not piensan).

Abstract nouns with definite articles

La juventud es fugaz (General concepts need 'la').

Prepositional phrases for time

En mi juventud... (Used like 'In my childhood').

Adjective agreement with collective nouns

La juventud está *preocupada* (singular feminine).

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Exemples par niveau

La juventud es bonita.

Youth is beautiful.

Feminine singular noun.

En mi juventud, yo corría mucho.

In my youth, I ran a lot.

Used with 'en mi' to indicate a past period.

La juventud de hoy tiene teléfonos.

The youth of today have phones.

Collective noun with singular verb.

Ella tiene mucha juventud.

She has a lot of youth.

Refers to the quality of being young.

Es un libro para la juventud.

It is a book for youth.

Target audience.

La juventud pasa rápido.

Youth passes quickly.

Abstract concept of time.

Mi abuelo habla de su juventud.

My grandfather talks about his youth.

Possessive 'su' + noun.

Hay un club de juventud aquí.

There is a youth club here.

Used in a name.

La juventud prefiere la música moderna.

The youth prefer modern music.

Collective noun usage.

Durante su juventud, vivió en México.

During his youth, he lived in Mexico.

Time marker.

La juventud es una etapa de la vida.

Youth is a stage of life.

Definition.

Queremos ayudar a la juventud del barrio.

We want to help the youth of the neighborhood.

Social group.

No pierdas tu juventud trabajando tanto.

Don't lose your youth working so much.

Imperative + noun.

La juventud es el futuro del país.

The youth are the future of the country.

Common political phrase.

Ella mantiene su juventud con ejercicio.

She maintains her youth with exercise.

Physical quality.

El albergue de juventud es muy barato.

The youth hostel is very cheap.

Compound noun.

La juventud actual se enfrenta a muchos retos económicos.

Today's youth face many economic challenges.

Social context.

Recordó los errores de su loca juventud.

He remembered the mistakes of his wild youth.

Adjective 'loca' modifying 'juventud'.

Es necesario fomentar el empleo entre la juventud.

It is necessary to promote employment among the youth.

Formal verb 'fomentar'.

La juventud no es solo una cuestión de edad, sino de espíritu.

Youth is not just a matter of age, but of spirit.

Philosophical usage.

Muchos poetas han escrito sobre la fugacidad de la juventud.

Many poets have written about the fleeting nature of youth.

Literary context.

En mi juventud, solíamos ir al cine todos los sábados.

In my youth, we used to go to the cinema every Saturday.

Imperfect tense for habits.

La juventud rebelde siempre busca cambiar el mundo.

Rebellious youth always seek to change the world.

Descriptive adjective.

Ella representa la juventud y la esperanza de este proyecto.

She represents the youth and hope of this project.

Symbolic usage.

La juventud está cada vez más concienciada con el medio ambiente.

The youth are increasingly aware of the environment.

Adjective 'concienciada' in singular.

El mito de la eterna juventud ha obsesionado a la humanidad por siglos.

The myth of eternal youth has obsessed humanity for centuries.

Fixed phrase 'eterna juventud'.

Debemos analizar las tendencias de consumo de la juventud urbana.

We must analyze the consumption trends of urban youth.

Academic/Professional context.

Su juventud le permitió recuperarse rápidamente de la lesión.

His youth allowed him to recover quickly from the injury.

Biological advantage.

La novela narra la transición de la juventud a la madurez.

The novel narrates the transition from youth to maturity.

Contrast with 'madurez'.

Las políticas públicas deben centrarse en la juventud más vulnerable.

Public policies must focus on the most vulnerable youth.

Political discourse.

A pesar de su juventud, demostró una gran sabiduría.

Despite his youth, he showed great wisdom.

Concessive phrase 'A pesar de'.

La juventud es el motor del cambio social en muchos países.

Youth is the engine of social change in many countries.

Metaphor.

La juventud, divino tesoro, ¡ya te vas para no volver!

Youth, divine treasure, you leave now, never to return!

Literary quote (Rubén Darío).

Se percibe una brecha insalvable entre la juventud y la clase política.

An unbridgeable gap is perceived between the youth and the political class.

Sophisticated vocabulary ('insalvable').

La obra de arte captura la efervescencia de la juventud parisina.

The artwork captures the effervescence of Parisian youth.

Descriptive noun 'efervescencia'.

El autor reflexiona sobre su juventud perdida en las trincheras.

The author reflects on his youth lost in the trenches.

Melancholic tone.

Las juventudes del partido se manifestaron frente al parlamento.

The party's youth wings demonstrated in front of parliament.

Plural 'juventudes' for organizations.

La precariedad laboral está lastrando el futuro de la juventud europea.

Job precariousness is weighing down the future of European youth.

Economic terminology.

No debemos idealizar la juventud como una época exenta de dolor.

We should not idealize youth as a time free of pain.

Argumentative structure.

Su discurso apelaba directamente a la rebeldía inherente a la juventud.

His speech appealed directly to the rebellion inherent in youth.

Formal adjective 'inherente'.

La juventud es un constructo social que varía según el contexto histórico.

Youth is a social construct that varies according to historical context.

Academic abstraction.

En la mocedad de la nación, las leyes eran aún rudimentarias.

In the youth (mocedad) of the nation, the laws were still rudimentary.

Use of synonym 'mocedad'.

El lienzo destilaba una juventud casi insultante por su vitalidad.

The canvas exuded a youth almost insulting for its vitality.

Artistic criticism.

La dialéctica entre juventud y tradición es un tema recurrente.

The dialectic between youth and tradition is a recurring theme.

High-level philosophical terms.

Añoraba la lozanía de su juventud, ahora marchita por los años.

He longed for the freshness of his youth, now withered by the years.

Poetic contrast.

La juventud como vanguardia estética define el movimiento moderno.

Youth as an aesthetic vanguard defines the modern movement.

Complex noun phrase.

Se debate si la prolongación de la juventud es un logro o una condena.

It is debated whether the prolongation of youth is an achievement or a curse.

Ethical discussion.

Su prosa evoca la fragilidad de la juventud en tiempos de guerra.

His prose evokes the fragility of youth in times of war.

Literary analysis.

Collocations courantes

eterna juventud

en mi juventud

juventud actual

albergue de juventud

perder la juventud

fuente de la juventud

flor de la juventud

juventud acumulada

políticas de juventud

juventud rebelde

Phrases Courantes

Juventud, divino tesoro

— A famous poetic line meaning youth is a precious gift that leaves quickly.

Como dice el poema: juventud, divino tesoro.

Aprovechar la juventud

— To make the most of the time when one is young.

¡Aprovecha tu juventud ahora que puedes!

Cosas de la juventud

— Used to dismiss mistakes or behaviors as typical for young people.

No te preocupes, son solo cosas de la juventud.

En plena juventud

— In the middle of one's youth, at the peak of being young.

Estaba en plena juventud cuando empezó su empresa.

Falta de juventud

— Used to describe a lack of energy or being 'old' in spirit.

A este equipo le falta juventud y rapidez.

Juventud dorada

— Refers to wealthy, privileged young people.

La juventud dorada de la ciudad frecuenta este club.

Segunda juventud

— A period when an older person feels young again.

Después de jubilarse, está viviendo una segunda juventud.

Juventud perdida

— Regret over time wasted during one's younger years.

Lloraba por su juventud perdida.

Espíritu de juventud

— Having a youthful mindset regardless of age.

Mantiene un espíritu de juventud envidiable.

Juventud sana

— Refers to a generation or individual with healthy habits.

Queremos promover una juventud sana y activa.

Souvent confondu avec

juventud vs joven

Joven is an adjective (young) or a person; Juventud is the noun (youth).

juventud vs adolescencia

Adolescencia is strictly 12-18 years old; Juventud can go up to 30.

juventud vs juventudes

The plural is almost only used for organized groups (political/social).

Expressions idiomatiques

"Estar en la flor de la juventud"

— To be at the very best age, usually late teens or early twenties.

Con 20 años, estás en la flor de la juventud.

neutral

"Tener juventud acumulada"

— A polite or funny way to say someone is old but energetic.

Mi abuela dice que solo tiene mucha juventud acumulada.

informal/humorous

"Pasársele el arroz"

— While not using the word 'juventud', it means one's youth/opportunity for marriage/kids is passing.

¡Cásate ya, que se te pasa el arroz!

informal

"Ser un joven de espíritu"

— To act or feel young despite being old.

Don Ricardo es un joven de espíritu.

neutral

"Quien tuvo, retuvo"

— Implies that someone who was beautiful or talented in their youth still keeps some of it.

Aún es guapa; quien tuvo, retuvo.

colloquial

"La juventud es una enfermedad que se cura con el tiempo"

— A cynical saying implying youth is just a temporary state of folly.

No te preocupes por sus locuras; la juventud es una enfermedad que se cura con el tiempo.

ironic

"No ser ningún pimpollo"

— To no longer be young or 'fresh'.

Ya no soy ningún pimpollo, tengo 50 años.

informal

"Echar una cana al aire"

— To have a wild moment or fling, often to feel young again.

De vez en cuando hay que echar una cana al aire.

informal

"Cortar las alas"

— To stop someone's youthful ambition or energy.

No le cortes las alas a su juventud.

metaphorical

"Hacerse el joven"

— To try too hard to act younger than one is.

Mi tío se hace el joven vistiendo como un adolescente.

informal

Facile à confondre

juventud vs joven

Both refer to being young.

Joven is the person/adjective; Juventud is the stage/concept.

Él es joven (He is young) vs. Su juventud fue dura (His youth was hard).

juventud vs juvenil

Related root.

Juvenil is an adjective meaning 'youthful' or 'for young people'.

Ropa juvenil (Youthful clothes).

juventud vs rejuvenecer

Related root.

Rejuvenecer is a verb meaning to make or look young again.

Ese corte de pelo te rejuvenece.

juventud vs mocedad

Synonym.

Mocedad is very old-fashioned; Juventud is modern.

En los tiempos de su mocedad (In the times of his youth).

juventud vs infancia

Early life stage.

Infancia is childhood (0-12); Juventud comes after.

Pasó su infancia en París y su juventud en Roma.

Structures de phrases

La juventud es [adjetivo].

La juventud es corta.

En mi juventud, [verbo imperfecto].

En mi juventud, jugaba al fútbol.

La juventud de hoy [verbo presente].

La juventud de hoy usa redes sociales.

Es importante para la juventud [infinitivo].

Es importante para la juventud estudiar mucho.

A pesar de su juventud, [cláusula].

A pesar de su juventud, es muy sabio.

El problema de la juventud es [sustantivo].

El problema de la juventud es el desempleo.

Se observa en la juventud una tendencia a [infinitivo].

Se observa en la juventud una tendencia a emprender.

La juventud, entendida como [concepto], ...

La juventud, entendida como motor de cambio, es vital.

Famille de mots

Noms

joven (young person)

juventud (youth)

rejuvenecimiento (rejuvenation)

Verbes

rejuvenecer (to rejuvenate)

enjuvenecer (less common, to make look young)

Adjectifs

joven (young)

juvenil (youthful/juvenile)

rejuvenecido (rejuvenated)

Apparenté

adolescencia

infancia

vejez

madurez

generación

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Very high in both spoken and written Spanish.

Erreurs courantes

El juventud → La juventud
Nouns ending in -tud are feminine.
Cuando era juventud → En mi juventud
You cannot 'be' youth; you 'have' youth or are 'in' your youth.
La juventud son el futuro → La juventud es el futuro
Collective nouns take singular verbs in Spanish.
Un hombre juventud → Un hombre joven
Juventud is a noun, not an adjective. Use 'joven' as an adjective.
Muchos juventudes → Mucha juventud
Juventud is usually uncountable when referring to the concept.

Astuces

Check the Gender

Always pair 'juventud' with 'la'. If you say 'el juventud', native speakers will immediately know you are a beginner.

Use with Imperfect

When talking about 'tu juventud', use the imperfect tense (hablaba, comía) because you are describing a continuous period in the past.

Poetic Reference

If you want to impress someone, mention 'Juventud, divino tesoro'. It's the most famous quote about youth in Spanish.

Collective Noun

Treat 'la juventud' like 'the government' or 'the family'—it's one unit. Use singular verbs!

The Final D

Don't drop the final 'd' completely, but don't make it hard. It should be a soft breathy sound.

Formal Essays

In essays, use 'la juventud' to discuss demographics. It sounds much more academic than 'los jóvenes'.

Hostel Names

In Spain, look for 'Albergues de Juventud'. They are the official network of youth hostels.

Describe Spirit

You can use 'juventud' to compliment an older person: '¡Qué juventud tienes!' (You have such a youthful spirit!).

Cognate Link

Link it to 'Juvenile'. Both come from the same Latin root 'iuvenis'.

Second Youth

Use 'segunda juventud' to describe someone who starts a new hobby or feels energetic in their 50s or 60s.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of a 'Juvenile' (joven) in their 'Youth' (juventud) doing 'TUD' (sounds like 'thud') as they jump around with energy.

Association visuelle

Imagine a fountain (the Fountain of Youth) with the word 'LA JUVENTUD' written in glowing letters on the basin.

Word Web

Joven Juvenil Vida Energía Futuro Pasado Memoria Etapa

Défi

Try to use the phrase 'En mi juventud' three times today when talking about things you used to do.

Origine du mot

From the Latin 'iuventus', which refers to the age of youth and the goddess Iuventas.

Sens originel : The state of being young or the group of young people.

Romance (Latin root).

Contexte culturel

Be careful not to sound patronizing when using 'la juventud' to describe young people's choices; it can sometimes sound like an 'us vs. them' generational divide.

English speakers often say 'the youth' to mean young people, but 'juventud' is used more broadly in Spanish to mean both the group and the abstract concept.

Rubén Darío's poem 'Canción de otoño en primavera' The 'Juventudes Socialistas' political wing The 'World Youth Day' (Jornada Mundial de la Juventud)

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Reflecting on the past

En mi juventud
Cuando estaba en mi juventud
Los años de mi juventud
Recuerdo mi juventud

Social analysis

La juventud actual
Los problemas de la juventud
El futuro de la juventud
La voz de la juventud

Health and Beauty

Eterna juventud
Fuente de la juventud
Mantener la juventud
Piel con juventud

Education/Travel

Albergue de juventud
Intercambio de juventud
Becas para la juventud
Centro de juventud

Literature/Art

Un himno a la juventud
La belleza de la juventud
Juventud perdida
Retrato de la juventud

Amorces de conversation

"¿Qué es lo que más extrañas de tu juventud?"

"¿Crees que la juventud de hoy es más responsable que la de antes?"

"¿Cuál fue el viaje más importante de tu juventud?"

"¿Qué consejo le darías a la juventud de tu país?"

"¿Te gustaría tener la eterna juventud si fuera posible?"

Sujets d'écriture

Escribe sobre un recuerdo feliz de tu juventud y por qué es importante para ti.

Compara la juventud de tus padres con tu propia juventud. ¿Qué ha cambiado?

Define qué significa para ti 'ser joven de espíritu'.

¿Cuáles son los mayores desafíos que enfrenta la juventud en el mundo actual?

Si pudieras volver a tu juventud por un día, ¿qué harías de manera diferente?

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Es femenino. Siempre se dice 'la juventud' o 'una juventud'. Esto es porque la mayoría de las palabras que terminan en -tud son femeninas.

Sí, pero es poco común. Se usa principalmente para hablar de organizaciones políticas (ej. Juventudes Socialistas) o en contextos muy específicos de sociología.

La 'adolescencia' es el cambio biológico de niño a adulto (12-18 años). La 'juventud' es un periodo más largo que incluye la adolescencia y los veinte años.

Se dice 'En mi juventud'. Es la forma más natural de hablar sobre esa etapa de tu vida en el pasado.

En singular. Aunque te refieras a muchas personas, la palabra es un sustantivo colectivo singular. Ejemplo: 'La juventud quiere cambio'.

Sí, metafóricamente. Puedes decir 'Ella tiene mucha juventud' para decir que tiene mucha energía o espíritu joven.

Es una frase graciosa. En lugar de decir 'soy viejo', la gente dice 'tengo juventud acumulada' para sonar más positivo.

Muchísimo. Es un tema central en la música romántica y el pop para hablar del primer amor y el paso del tiempo.

No tiene una abreviatura estándar en el lenguaje común, aunque en nombres de organizaciones a veces se ve 'Juv.'.

No, es una palabra de nivel A2/B1. Es esencial para cualquier conversación básica sobre la vida y la historia personal.

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