noun HSK 5
qīng chūn
puberty · adolescence

Meaning

青春期 refers to the developmental period of adolescence when a person transitions from childhood to adulthood, characterized by physical, emotional, and psychological changes. It encompasses both the biological changes of puberty and the broader social and psychological aspects of teenage years.

Usage

This term is used in both medical/scientific contexts and everyday conversation when discussing teenagers and their development. Parents, educators, and healthcare professionals commonly use it when talking about the challenges and changes young people face during their teenage years. It's a neutral, formal term without negative connotations.

Examples

  1. 01
    我儿子刚进入青春期,情绪变化很大。
    ér zi gāng jìn qīng chūn , qíng biàn huà hěn .
    My son just entered puberty, and his emotions fluctuate a lot.
  2. 02
    青春期是人生中非常重要的发展阶段。
    Qīng chūn shì rén shēng zhōng fēi cháng zhòng yào de zhǎn jiē duàn.
    Adolescence is a very important developmental stage in life.

Characters

Measure words

  • 一个青春期

Common collocations

  • 进入青春期
    jìn qīng chūn
    to enter puberty
  • 青春期叛逆
    qīng chūn pàn
    adolescent rebellion
  • 青春期的孩子
    qīng chūn de hái zi
    adolescent children

Antonyms

Origin

The term literally means 'green spring period,' combining 青春 (youth, literally 'green spring') with 期 (period/stage). The metaphor of spring represents the youthful, flourishing stage of life when everything is fresh and growing.

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