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How to Say "elder" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “elder” is “anciano” — use 'anciano' when referring to an older person, often with a sense of respect or acknowledging their age and experience, like an elder in a community..

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anciano

ahn-SYAH-noh/anˈθjano/

nounA2formal
Use 'anciano' when referring to an older person, often with a sense of respect or acknowledging their age and experience, like an elder in a community.
A kindly, elderly man with white hair and wrinkles smiling gently. He is wearing a simple blue sweater.

Examples

El anciano del pueblo nos contó muchas historias.

The elder (old man) of the village told us many stories.

Los ancianos tienen derecho a un trato especial.

The elderly (plural) have the right to special treatment.

Vimos a una anciana leyendo en el parque.

We saw an old woman reading in the park.

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.'

mayor

/mah-YOR//maˈʝoɾ/

adjectiveA1
Use 'mayor' as an adjective to indicate that someone is older than someone else, such as an older sibling or relative.
A tall man with gray hair gently holding the hand of a small, young child, illustrating the concept of being older.

Examples

Mi hermano mayor tiene veinte años.

My older brother is twenty years old.

Ella es la mayor de la familia.

She is the eldest in the family.

Soy dos años mayor que tú.

I am two years older than you.

Doesn't Change for Gender

Unlike many Spanish adjectives, 'mayor' doesn't change its ending for masculine or feminine. It's 'el chico mayor' and 'la chica mayor'.

Special Comparative Word

In Spanish, 'older' is a special case. Instead of saying 'más viejo' (more old), you almost always use 'mayor' when talking about people's age. It's more natural and polite.

Using 'más viejo'

Mistake: “Mi hermana es más vieja que yo.”

Correction: Mi hermana es mayor que yo. Using 'viejo' for a person can sound a bit rude, like calling them 'old'. 'Mayor' is the standard, polite way to say 'older'.

Noun vs. Adjective Usage

The most common mistake is using 'anciano' when you simply mean 'older' in relation to someone else. Remember, 'anciano' is a noun referring to an older person (often with respect), while 'mayor' is an adjective meaning 'older'.

Related Translations

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