Youngest daughter: pequña or mas joven

AnneA2Kwiziq 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 2 years ago
InmaKwiziq team memberCorrect 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 

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your Spanish level for FREE

Test your Spanish to the CEFR standard

Find your Spanish level
I'll be right with you...