Built from Spanish quince años, “fifteen years,” with the feminine ending -era. The celebration sense leaves fiesta, “party,” understood.
Fifteen-year-old girl
noun
people
neutral
A girl who is fifteen or is celebrating her fifteenth birthday. The masculine quinceañero and adjectival uses refer more generally to someone around that age.
Examples
- Mi prima quinceañera eligió un vestido azul para la fiesta.My fifteen-year-old cousin chose a blue dress for the party.
- Las estudiantes quinceañeras participaron en el taller.The fifteen-year-old students took part in the workshop.
- El muchacho quinceañero celebró su cumpleaños con sus amigos.The fifteen-year-old boy celebrated his birthday with his friends.
- La quinceañera entró al salón del brazo de su padre.The birthday girl entered the hall on her father’s arm.
- Le compraron un regalo especial a la quinceañera.They bought a special gift for the birthday girl.
Similar words
quinceañero
cumpleañera
joven
adolescente
Coming-of-age celebration
noun
culture
neutral
In Latin America and U.S. Latino communities, a celebration of a girl’s fifteenth birthday that traditionally marks her passage toward adulthood. The name can cover the whole event, although fiesta de quince años is often clearer.
Examples
- La familia organizó una quinceañera para Camila.The family organized a quinceañera for Camila.
- La quinceañera comenzó con una ceremonia y terminó con un baile.The quinceañera began with a ceremony and ended with a dance.
- Ahorraron durante meses para pagar la quinceañera.They saved for months to pay for the quinceañera.
- Contrataron un fotógrafo para la quinceañera de su hija.They hired a photographer for their daughter’s quinceañera.
- La abuela recordó su propia quinceañera durante la celebración.The grandmother remembered her own quinceañera during the celebration.
Similar words
fiesta de quince años
quince años
fiesta de quince
quince