Youngest daughter: pequña or mas joven

Anne B.A2Kwiziq community member

Youngest daughter: pequña or mas joven

Hello,

One of the questions involved translating a sentence that mentions a “youngest daughter.” I used “muy joven” but the answer was “pequeño.” I thought that pequeño means small, so this use of the word surprises me. Is it just one of those things one has to know?

Thanks for your help!

Anne 

Asked 3 years ago
InmaNative Spanish expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hola Anne

Yes, it's one of those you have to know : ))

In Spanish, to refer to your youngest child you normally say: 

mi hijo pequeño 

mi hija pequeña

This is understood as your youngest (among several children)

If you want to refer to your oldest child, then you say:

mi hijo mayor

mi hija mayor

Mayor could also be the comparative adjective to say "older"; for example:

Carmen es mayor que Juan.

Carmen is older than Juan.

But in that context, talking about your oldest child, you also use it to say "oldest".

I hope this clarified it.

Saludos

Inma

Youngest daughter: pequña or mas joven

Hello,

One of the questions involved translating a sentence that mentions a “youngest daughter.” I used “muy joven” but the answer was “pequeño.” I thought that pequeño means small, so this use of the word surprises me. Is it just one of those things one has to know?

Thanks for your help!

Anne 

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