The literal English meaning of the Spanish phrase “quince años” is “fifteen years.”
Quince años is the phrase behind the name of the celebration commonly called a quinceañera. In Spanish, quince means fifteen and años means years. The phrase can refer to the milestone itself, while quinceañera can refer to the girl, the event, or the tradition depending on regional usage.
The celebration traditionally marks a girl’s 15th birthday and her transition from childhood into young womanhood. In many families, the event includes a formal presentation, a special dress, music, a court, dancing, and a reception. Catholic families may also include a misa de acción de gracias, or thanksgiving Mass, but a religious service is not inherent to every quinceañera.
English translations sometimes shorten the phrase to “fifteenth birthday,” which captures the occasion but not the literal wording. “Fifteen candles” is a separate ceremonial expression and is not the translation of años.