French word

juvénile

Pronunciation

IPA/ʒyvenil/

Meaning

  • adjectivechildish

Example

C'est un comportement juvénile.

This is childish behavior.

Illustration for juvénile (childish)

More examples

Il raconte souvent une blague juvénile en réunion.

He often tells a childish joke in meetings.

Core concept

A grown person handling a serious matter with a child's shallow, impulsive judgment.

Common phrases

  • blague juvénile

    childish joke

  • langage juvénile

    childish language

Similar words

immature: Lacking maturity or experience, with judgment or actions that seem unformed.
enfantin: Displaying simple, childlike thoughts or behavior openly.
infantile: Marked by very childish behavior and little sign of adult maturity.

Definition in French

Qui est caractérisé par un manque de maturité intellectuelle ou émotionnelle, perçu comme enfantin ou peu réfléchi.

Word origin

French juvénile is a learned borrowing from Latin juvenilis, from juvenis, 'young', and later gained an evaluative sense for immature behavior.

Usage tips

  • Juvénile often criticizes behavior rather than simply describing youth, so it is not a neutral equivalent of 'young'.

Other meanings

  • childlikeadjective
  • immatureadjective

Opposites

Word lists with this word