指處於兒童與成年之間成長階段的年輕人。
核心定義
EN: A young person who is developing from a child into an adult.
翻譯: 一個正從兒童發展為成年人的年輕人。
年齡範圍
EN: Typically refers to a person roughly between the ages of 13 and 19.
翻譯: 通常指年齡大約在13歲至19歲之間的人。
特徵描述
EN: Characterized by physical, emotional, and psychological changes.
翻譯: 以身體、情感和心理上的變化為特徵。
相關概念
EN: The period of life or the state of being an adolescent.
翻譯: 指青春期這個人生階段或身為青少年的狀態。
小提醒：「adolescent」作名詞時，指的是「青少年」這個人；而「adolescence」才是專指「青春期」這個階段或時期，兩者不可混淆。
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Adolescent" from YouTube Videos
The happy secret to better work | Shawn Achor
TED
“Monday night we have the world's leading expert will speak about adolescent depression.”
1. a young person who is developing from a child into an adult
處於兒童與成年之間發展階段的年輕人；青少年
The program is designed for adolescents between the ages of 13 and 18.
這個計畫是為13至18歲的青少年設計的。
Many adolescents experience significant physical and emotional changes.
許多青少年會經歷顯著的身體和情感變化。
2. a person in the stage of life characterized by puberty and the transition to adulthood
處於青春期並正向成年期過渡的人
As an adolescent, she was very conscious of her appearance.
作為一名青少年，她非常在意自己的外表。
The book explores the challenges faced by modern adolescents.
這本書探討了現代青少年面臨的挑戰。
3. relating to or characteristic of adolescence
與青春期有關的；具有青春期特徵的
He went through a period of adolescent rebellion.
他經歷了一段青春期的叛逆階段。
The film captures the adolescent angst of its main character perfectly.
這部電影完美捕捉了主角青春期的焦慮。
4. behaving in a way that is typical of a teenager and not considered mature
行為表現像青少年般不成熟的
His adolescent humor was not appreciated in the serious meeting.
他不成熟的幽默感在那場嚴肅的會議中不受歡迎。
She dismissed his argument as mere adolescent posturing.
她認為他的論點不過是幼稚的裝腔作勢。
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| adolescent + V | 青少年（做某事） | Adolescents need guidance as they navigate these challenges. (青少年在應對這些挑戰時需要引導。) |
| an adolescent + noun | 一個青少年（某人/某物） | She works as a counselor for an adolescent with anxiety. (她是一名輔導員，輔導一名患有焦慮症的青少年。) |
| the adolescent + relative clause | （特定描述的）青少年 | The adolescent who won the award gave an inspiring speech. (那位獲獎的青少年發表了鼓舞人心的演講。) |
| during adolescence | 在青春期期間 | Many physical changes occur during adolescence. (許多身體變化發生在青春期期間。) |
| from adolescence to adulthood | 從青春期到成年期 | His interests evolved from adolescence to adulthood. (他的興趣從青春期到成年期不斷演變。) |
EN:A group of teenagers were hanging out at the mall.
翻譯:一群青少年正在購物中心閒逛。
EN:Adolescent development is a complex process.
翻譯:青少年發展是一個複雜的過程。
EN:This movie is popular among teenagers.
翻譯:這部電影在十幾歲的青少年間很受歡迎。
在描述此年齡群體時，若強調其成長與過渡的性質，使用 adolescent；若僅指年齡範圍，則使用 teenager。
adolescent vs teenager
「adolescent」強調從兒童到成人的過渡階段及心理發展，而「teenager」則更口語化，主要指13至19歲的年輕人。
adolescent vs youth
「adolescent」特指青春期個體，年齡範圍較明確；「youth」含義更廣，可指青年時期、年輕群體或泛指年輕狀態。
adolescent vs minor
「adolescent」是發展階段，而「minor」是法律概念，指未達法定成年年齡的人。
在對話中，當引述或轉述他人對某個青少年的看法時，常用此詞。 EN: My mom always says, "Every adolescent goes through that phase." 翻譯: 我媽總是說：「每個青少年都會經歷那個階段。」
EN:He described his son as a "typical adolescent," always on his phone.
翻譯:他形容他兒子是個「典型的青少年」，總是手機不離手。
為了強調某人的行為或態度非常符合青少年時期的特徵，會特別加重語氣使用。 EN: Oh, don't mind him, he's just being adolescent. 翻譯: 哦，別理他，他只是在那裡耍青少年脾氣。
EN:That was such an adolescent thing to say!
翻譯:那說法真是有夠青少年的！
在組織思緒或尋找更精確詞彙時，可能用此詞作為暫時的填充語。 EN: The main character is... an adolescent... trying to find his place in the world. 翻譯: 主角是個...青少年...試圖在世界上找到自己的定位。
EN:We need to consider the target audience — you know — adolescents and young adults.
翻譯:我們需要考慮目標受眾 — 你知道的 — 青少年和年輕成年人。
正式書寫注意：在學術論文、正式報告或法律文件中，應避免上述口語用法。建議使用更精確的術語，如「teenagers」、「youths」、「individuals aged 13–18」或「adolescents (as a developmental stage)」，並確保上下文定義清晰，以維持文體的嚴謹性。
adolescent development
noun + noun
青少年發展
adolescent behavior
noun + noun
青少年行為
adolescent psychology
noun + noun
青少年心理學
rebellious adolescent
adjective + noun
叛逆的青少年
adolescent years
noun + noun
青少年時期
adolescent population
noun + noun
青少年人口
troubled adolescent
adjective + noun
問題青少年
×He is an adolescent boy.
✓He is an adolescent.
Adding "boy" or "girl" after "adolescent" is redundant because "adolescent" already refers to a young person. It's like saying "adult man"—"adult" is sufficient.
×The adolescent's behaviors are often unpredictable.
✓Adolescent behavior is often unpredictable.
Using the plural possessive (adolescents') or singular possessive (adolescent's) to describe a general characteristic is less common. The noun "adolescent" is often used attributively (as an adjective) before another noun (e.g., adolescent psychology, adolescent development).
×He is in his adolescent.
✓He is in his adolescence. / He is an adolescent.
"Adolescent" is primarily a countable noun for the person. The period or stage of life is "adolescence" (uncountable). You cannot be "in your adolescent."
×Teenagers and adolescents are the same.
✓All adolescents are not necessarily teenagers. / Adolescence covers a broader age range than the teenage years.
While often used interchangeably, "adolescent" is a more formal, clinical, or sociological term referring to the developmental stage (roughly ages 10-19). "Teenager" specifically refers to ages 13-19. Early adolescence (10-12) is not the "teenage" years.
×An adolescent is a child.
✓An adolescent is a young person between childhood and adulthood.
Calling an adolescent a "child" can be inaccurate and potentially offensive, as it denies their developing maturity. "Adolescent" or "young person" is more precise and respectful.