anciana
/ahn-SYAH-nah/
old woman
Use "anciana" as a noun meaning "old woman."
anciana(noun)
old woman
?referring to a female person of advanced age
,elderly woman
?more formal or respectful context
senior citizen
?as a general demographic
📝 In Action
La anciana cruzó la calle con ayuda de su nieto.
A2The old woman crossed the street with the help of her grandson.
Mi vecina es una anciana muy sabia que siempre da buenos consejos.
B1My neighbor is a very wise elderly woman who always gives good advice.
Los residentes del hogar de ancianas salieron al jardín.
B2The residents of the retirement home (home for elderly women) went out to the garden.
💡 Grammar Points
Feminine Form
This is the feminine form. If you are talking about an old man, you would use 'anciano' (masculine).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Vieja'
Mistake: "Llamar a una mujer 'vieja'."
Correction: Use 'anciana' or 'mujer mayor'. 'Vieja' is technically correct but is often considered rude or disrespectful, especially when speaking to or about someone.
⭐ Usage Tips
Politeness Check
When in doubt, 'mujer mayor' (older woman) or 'señora' (lady) are safer, more neutral terms than 'anciana', though 'anciana' is generally acceptable.
“Anciana” can also be used as an adjective meaning “old” (feminine), describing a person or noun.
anciana(adjective)
old
?describing a female person or noun
,elderly
?respectful way to describe advanced age
aged
?referring to historical objects or people
📝 In Action
La reina anciana gobernó el país por medio siglo.
B1The elderly queen ruled the country for half a century.
Visitamos la iglesia más anciana del pueblo.
B2We visited the oldest/most ancient church in the town.
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective Agreement
As an adjective, 'anciana' must match the gender and number of the noun it describes. Since 'anciana' ends in -a, it is used with feminine nouns (like 'reina' or 'iglesia').
⭐ Usage Tips
Describing Objects
While 'anciana' mostly describes people, it can sometimes describe inanimate feminine objects (like 'ciudad anciana' - ancient city), but 'antigua' is usually more common for things.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: anciana
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'anciana' as a noun (referring to a person)?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'anciana' and 'vieja'?
'Anciana' is generally the preferred and more respectful term for an older woman, focusing on her seniority or age. 'Vieja' literally means 'old' but can sound rude or derogatory, especially when referring directly to a person. It's best to use 'anciana' or 'mujer mayor' instead.
How do I make 'anciana' plural?
To talk about multiple elderly women, you simply add an 's': 'ancianas'. For example, 'Las ancianas están en el parque' (The elderly women are in the park).