When do you stop calling someone a girl or a boy in English? I'm Italian. In Italy you call "ragazza" (girl) and "ragazzo" (boy) people in their teens and in their 20s, sometimes even in their 30s. I

Monica

When do you stop calling someone a girl or a boy in English?

I'm Italian.

In Italy you call "ragazza" (girl) and "ragazzo" (boy) people in their teens and in their 20s, sometimes even in their 30s.

I think maybe it's because Italians usually live with their parents until they in their 30s.

Apr 4, 2014 1:19 PM

Comments · 2

Hi Monica,

There is no good answer for this one! It depends on the person who is being called "boy" or "girl" and the person who is using the word.

Generally, I would say that women are often called "girls" until they are around 30. They can be called "woman" too, around early twenties for some, later for others. Eg. "I'm dating a great girl right now." "The girl was standing right there!" "That girl I was telling you about."

Women tend to be called "girl" longer than men tend to be called "boy." Often even young men (17ish) will be called "guy" instead. I would say for men, generally we stop saying boy after the age of 16 or so, unless you are joking or he looks very boyish or young. But some much older people will still call people much younger than they are "boy."

Hope that helps!

Kate

April 4, 2014