viejas
/vee-EHH-hahs/
old
This image illustrates 'viejas' as an adjective meaning 'old,' describing feminine plural nouns like houses.
viejas(Adjective)
old
?describing female people or feminine plural nouns (e.g., houses, cars, traditions)
,aged
?describing wine, cheese, or other products
former
?referring to previous habits or things that are no longer current
📝 In Action
Las tradiciones viejas son las más bonitas.
A1The old traditions are the prettiest ones.
Compramos unas sillas viejas para restaurarlas.
A2We bought some old chairs to restore them.
Esas ideas son muy viejas; necesitamos algo nuevo.
B1Those ideas are very old; we need something new.
💡 Grammar Points
Matching the Adjective
Since 'viejas' describes things, it must match the thing in number (plural) and gender (feminine). It pairs with feminine plural nouns like 'puertas' (doors) or 'amigas' (friends).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the wrong ending
Mistake: "Las casas viejos (masculine ending)."
Correction: Las casas viejas (feminine ending). Remember the ending must match the noun exactly.
⭐ Usage Tips
Placement Matters
Usually, 'viejas' comes after the noun (tradiciones viejas). Placing it before the noun (viejas tradiciones) often emphasizes the age or familiarity, sometimes meaning 'long-standing' or 'former'.
Here, 'viejas' is used as a noun meaning 'old women,' referring to women of advanced age.
📝 In Action
Las viejas del pueblo se juntan a jugar a las cartas.
A2The old women in the town gather to play cards.
Hay que respetar a las viejas.
B1One must respect the elderly women.
💡 Grammar Points
Using it as a Noun
When 'vieja' is used as a noun (meaning 'old woman'), it almost always needs an article before it (like 'las' or 'unas').
⭐ Usage Tips
A Note on Respect
While technically neutral, using 'las viejas' can sometimes sound blunt or slightly disrespectful. For maximum politeness, use 'las señoras mayores' (the older ladies) or 'las ancianas'.
In familiar usage, 'viejas' can mean 'girls' or 'female friends.'
viejas(Noun)
girls
?referring to one's female friends or group (familiar)
,pals
?informal term for close friends
wife/partner
?in the singular ('mi vieja') but sometimes used generally for a group of wives/partners.
📝 In Action
Voy a salir con mis viejas esta noche.
B2I'm going out with my girls/pals tonight.
¿Dónde están las viejas? Llevan horas de retraso.
C1Where are the girls? They are hours late.
💡 Grammar Points
Possessive Use
This slang meaning is almost always used with a possessive word, like 'mis' (my) or 'tus' (your), to show close connection: 'mis viejas'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Know Your Audience
This usage is highly regional and informal. Only use it with close friends who you know use this term, or you might unintentionally offend someone by sounding disrespectful or too familiar.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: viejas
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'viejas' in its slang context (meaning friends)?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'viejas' always disrespectful when referring to women?
No, it depends entirely on the context and region. As a descriptive noun ('las viejas'), it is neutral but can sound blunt; it’s safer to use 'mujeres mayores.' However, in many parts of Latin America, 'mis viejas' is an affectionate and common slang term for 'my friends/pals' and is not disrespectful at all.
If I am describing a group of old men and women, should I still use 'viejas'?
No. When you have a mixed group (masculine and feminine), Spanish defaults to the masculine plural form: 'viejos.' You would say 'los viejos' to refer to a mixed group of old people.