adulthood
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adulthood
The stage of life after childhood and adolescence, in which a person is considered physically, mentally, and legally adult.
Mit dem Eintritt ins Erwachsenenalter beginnt für viele ein neuer Lebensabschnitt.
With the entry into adulthood, a new stage of life begins for many people.
The word is composed of 'Erwachsenen' and 'Alter'. 'Erwachsenen' here is a form of the nominalized adjective 'der/die Erwachsene' (the adult). So it literally means 'the age of adult people'.
Das Erwachsenenalter bringt neue Verantwortungen mit sich.
Adulthood brings new responsibilities with it.
This word is often used with verbs that describe a transition or a state. Typical combinations are 'das Erwachsenenalter erreichen' (to reach adulthood) or 'ins Erwachsenenalter eintreten' (to enter adulthood).
Mit 18 Jahren erreicht man in Deutschland das Erwachsenenalter.
At 18, you reach adulthood in Germany.
To describe the transition into this stage of life, you use 'ins Erwachsenenalter' (into adulthood). To describe a state or period of time within this phase, you use 'im Erwachsenenalter' (in adulthood).
Der Übergang ins Erwachsenenalter ist nicht immer einfach.
The transition into adulthood is not always easy.
age of majority
Both Erwachsenenalter (adulthood) and Volljährigkeit (age of majority) refer to the period when a person is an adult. However, Erwachsenenalter means an entire stage of life, while Volljährigkeit refers to the legal status acquired at a specific age. For a person’s stage of life, use Erwachsenenalter; for the legal status, use Volljährigkeit.
Im Erwachsenenalter übernehmen viele Menschen mehr Verantwortung für ihr eigenes Leben.
In adulthood, many people take on more responsibility for their own lives.
Mit der Volljährigkeit darf sie rechtlich viele Entscheidungen selbst treffen.
Once she reached the age of majority, she was legally allowed to make many decisions herself.
