Volwasse

Volwasse is an Afrikaans adjective meaning adult or fully grown. It describes a person who has reached maturity, either biologically or legally. In use, it appears in phrases such as volwasse persoon (an adult person) or volwasse inwoners (adult inhabitants). The related noun volwassene refers to an adult person. The term is common in everyday speech as well as in formal discourse, including law, healthcare, education, and policy discussions where age or maturity is relevant.

Usage notes: volwasse is used to distinguish adults from minors, typically in educational, medical, and legal contexts. The noun volwassene denotes an adult person. The word can appear in combinations like volwasse persoon or volwasse inwoners and is often employed in discussions of adulthood, capacity, and responsibilities. In broader media or policy contexts, age-class descriptors help indicate suitability, rights, or conditions associated with maturity.

Etymology and related terms: The word is of Afrikaans origin, derived from Dutch, with the corresponding Dutch adjective usually rendered as volwassen and the noun as volwassene. In Afrikaans, volwasse functions as the standard adjective for “adult,” while volwassene is the common noun for an adult person. The term reflects the shared West Germanic roots of Dutch and Afrikaans and is widely used across Afrikaans-speaking communities.