jung
HighNeutral (Used in all registers from formal to informal.)
Definition
Meaning
Having lived or existed for only a short time; in an early stage of life or development.
Relating to or characteristic of youth; inexperienced or new; also, denoting a newer or more junior version of something (e.g., a young company).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily an adjective describing age, but can be used as a collective noun with 'the' (the young) to refer to young people as a group. The comparative 'younger' and superlative 'youngest' are regular.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core meaning or usage. Spelling is identical. The phrase 'the young' (as a noun) may be slightly more formal/literary in both varieties.
Connotations
Similar positive connotations of vitality, freshness, and potential; similar negative connotations of immaturity or inexperience in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally high-frequency and core in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[be] young[be] young for (something)[be] too young to (verb)young(er) than (someone)the (comparative) of the twoa young (noun)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “young at heart”
- “young blood”
- “not getting any younger”
- “young Turk”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to new companies, startups, or junior employees (e.g., 'young entrepreneurs', 'young talent in the firm').
Academic
Used in developmental studies, sociology, and biology (e.g., 'young offenders', 'the young of the species').
Everyday
Describing people, animals, or plants; common in family and social contexts.
Technical
In geology, refers to recently formed landforms; in viticulture, refers to wine not aged long.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- She looks remarkably young for her age.
- They have three young children.
- This is a young company with big ideas.
American English
- He became a professor when he was very young.
- The young puppy chewed everything.
- We need some young talent on the team.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The baby is very young.
- My brother is young.
- She has a young cat.
- He started playing football at a young age.
- The book is aimed at young adults.
- Young people often use social media.
- Despite being young, she showed great maturity.
- The industry needs an infusion of young blood.
- He's younger than most of his colleagues.
- The theory is still in its young, formative stages.
- She addressed the concerns of both the old and the young.
- His style is deceptively young for such an established artist.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'YOU' being 'NG' (Not Grown) – 'YOU-NG' – You are Not Grown, therefore young.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS SPACE (early stages are the beginning of a journey), LIFE IS A DAY (young is the morning).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'юный' (which is more specific to youthful age) – 'young' is broader. 'Young man' is 'молодой человек', not 'юноша' in most contexts. The noun 'the young' translates as 'молодёжь' or 'молодое поколение'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'young' with non-countable abstract nouns (e.g., 'a young advice' – incorrect). Confusing 'younger' vs. 'youngest' in comparisons. Overusing 'young' for 'small' (e.g., 'young salary' is incorrect).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is NOT a typical collocation with 'young'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, when used with the definite article 'the' (e.g., 'programs for the young'). This is a collective noun referring to young people as a group.
'Young' is a neutral, factual description of age. 'Youthful' often describes the characteristics of youth (energy, appearance) and can be applied to someone not literally young (e.g., 'a youthful attitude').
The forms are 'younger' and 'youngest'. They are used like any other adjective (e.g., 'She is younger than me.', 'He is the youngest in the class.').
No, it is incorrect. 'Young' typically modifies countable nouns (people, animals, things) or singular collective entities (company, nation). It is not used with uncountable abstract nouns like 'information', 'advice', or 'knowledge'.