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envejecer

en-be-he-SEHR/enbexeˈθer/

“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.

A2

We are all going to grow old one day.

Este vino ha envejecido muy bien en la bodega.

B1

This wine has aged very well in the cellar.

Las preocupaciones pueden envejecer a una persona prematuramente.

C1

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

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesenvejecieran
yoenvejeciera
túenvejecieras
vosotrosenvejecierais
nosotrosenvejeciéramos
él/ella/ustedenvejeciera

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesenvejezcan
yoenvejezca
túenvejezcas
vosotrosenvejezcáis
nosotrosenvejezcamos
él/ella/ustedenvejezca

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedesenvejecieron
yoenvejecí
túenvejeciste
vosotrosenvejecisteis
nosotrosenvejecimos
él/ella/ustedenvejeció

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesenvejecían
yoenvejecía
túenvejecías
vosotrosenvejecíais
nosotrosenvejecíamos
él/ella/ustedenvejecía

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesenvejecen
yoenvejezco
túenvejeces
vosotrosenvejecéis
nosotrosenvejecemos
él/ella/ustedenvejece
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▼
📚 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.