anciano
/ahn-SYAH-noh/
old
The word "anciano" can be used as an adjective meaning 'old,' often describing the age of something, like this ancient tree.
anciano(adjective)
old
?describing age
,elderly
?describing a person's age
ancient
?used for things, less common than 'antiguo'
📝 In Action
Mi abuelo es un hombre anciano, pero todavía es muy activo.
A2My grandfather is an old man, but he is still very active.
Vimos una casa anciana abandonada cerca del río.
B1We saw an ancient abandoned house near the river.
Necesitamos usar formas ancianas de agricultura.
C1We need to use old forms of agriculture.
💡 Grammar Points
Matching the Ending
Like many Spanish descriptions, 'anciano' must change its ending to match the person or thing you are talking about. Use 'anciana' for women or feminine things, 'ancianos' for groups of men or mixed groups, and 'ancianas' for groups of women.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Viejo' Too Often
Mistake: "Using 'viejo' when referring to someone's age in a formal setting."
Correction: While 'viejo' means 'old,' 'anciano' is generally a more polite and respectful way to describe an elderly person. Use 'anciano' unless you are very close to the person or the context is clearly casual.
⭐ Usage Tips
Positioning the Adjective
When 'anciano' comes after the noun (e.g., 'el hombre anciano'), it usually just means 'old.' When it comes before the noun (e.g., 'el anciano hombre'), it can sometimes emphasize the age or respect, though this is less common.
As a noun, "anciano" means 'old man' or 'elderly male person.'
anciano(noun)
old man
?elderly male person
,elder
?a respected older person
senior citizen
?formal reference
📝 In Action
El anciano del pueblo nos contó muchas historias.
A2The elder (old man) of the village told us many stories.
Los ancianos tienen derecho a un trato especial.
B1The elderly (plural) have the right to special treatment.
Vimos a una anciana leyendo en el parque.
A2We saw an old woman reading in the park.
💡 Grammar Points
Using the Feminine Form
When referring to an elderly woman, the noun form changes to 'la anciana.' The plural for a group of elderly women is 'las ancianas.' For a mixed group, use the masculine plural: 'los ancianos.'
⭐ Usage Tips
Using the Article
Since 'anciano' is a noun here, it almost always needs an article (like 'el' or 'un') before it, just like in English ('the old man' or 'an old man').
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: anciano
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'anciano' correctly as a noun?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'anciano' and 'viejo'?
'Anciano' is generally more formal and respectful, especially when referring to people. 'Viejo' is a very common synonym for 'old,' but when applied to a person, it can sometimes be perceived as less polite or slightly derogatory, depending on the context and tone. For things (like cars or clothes), 'viejo' is perfectly fine.
Can 'anciano' be used to describe things, like 'ancient history'?
Yes, 'anciano' can mean 'ancient' or 'old,' but for history, buildings, or artifacts, the word 'antiguo' (ancient/antique) is much more commonly used in Spanish. 'Anciano' usually focuses on the age of living beings.