envejecer

en-be-he-SEHRenbexeˈθer

“envejecer” means “to age” in Spanish (to get older over time).

to age, to grow old

Also: to outdate, to mature

VerbB1irregular (z-c change) er

General

A side-by-side illustration of a small green seedling and a large, mature oak tree with a thick trunk and wide canopy.

gerundenvejeciendo

past Participleenvejecido

infinitiveenvejecer

📝 In Action

Todos vamos a envejecer algún día.

We are all going to grow old one day.

Este vino ha envejecido muy bien en la bodega.

This wine has aged very well in the cellar.

Las preocupaciones pueden envejecer a una persona prematuramente.

Worries can make a person age prematurely.

Word Connections

Synonyms

hacerse viejo (to become old)
madurar (to mature)

Antonyms

rejuvenecer (to rejuvenate/look younger)

Common Collocations

envejecer con dignidad – to age gracefully
envejecer prematuramente – to age prematurely
proceso de envejecer – aging process

Idioms & Expressions

envejecer como el buen vino – to get better as you get older

Subjunctive

Imperfect Subjunctive

yoenvejeciera

túenvejecieras

él/ella/ustedenvejeciera

nosotrosenvejeciéramos

vosotrosenvejecierais

ellos/ellas/ustedesenvejecieran

Present Subjunctive

yoenvejezca

túenvejezcas

él/ella/ustedenvejezca

nosotrosenvejezcamos

vosotrosenvejezcáis

ellos/ellas/ustedesenvejezcan

Indicative

Preterite

yoenvejecí

túenvejeciste

él/ella/ustedenvejeció

nosotrosenvejecimos

vosotrosenvejecisteis

ellos/ellas/ustedesenvejecieron

Imperfect

yoenvejecía

túenvejecías

él/ella/ustedenvejecía

nosotrosenvejecíamos

vosotrosenvejecíais

ellos/ellas/ustedesenvejecían

Present

yoenvejezco

túenvejeces

él/ella/ustedenvejece

nosotrosenvejecemos

vosotrosenvejecéis

ellos/ellas/ustedesenvejecen

View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "envejecer" in Spanish:

to age→to mature→to outdate→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: envejecer

Question 1 of 3

How do you say 'I am aging' in Spanish?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼

viejo(old) — Adjective

la vejez(old age) — Noun

envejecimiento(the aging process) — Noun

viejito(little old man (affectionate)) — Noun

🎵 Rhymes▼

crecer amanecer parecer

📚 Etymology▼

From the Spanish prefix 'en-' (to cause to be), 'viejo' (old, from Latin 'vetus'), and the suffix '-ecer' (indicating a process).

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: envelhecerItalian: invecchiare

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'envejecer' always refer to people?

No, it can also refer to things like wine, buildings, technology, or ideas that become outdated.

What is the difference between 'envejecer' and 'hacerse viejo'?

They mean the same thing. 'Envejecer' is a single verb that is slightly more formal, while 'hacerse viejo' is a common phrase used in daily conversation.

How do I conjugate the 'yo' form in the past?

In the simple past (preterite), it is regular: 'envejecí'. The 'zc' change only happens in the present tense.