Inklingo

How to Say "old-fashioned" in Spanish

English → Spanish

clásico

adjectiveA1general
Use 'clásico' when referring to a style, design, or person that is timeless, elegant, and never goes out of fashion, often with a positive connotation.

Examples

Ella tiene un estilo clásico que nunca pasa de moda.

She has a classic style that never goes out of fashion.

tradicional

trah-dee-syoh-NAL/tɾaðisjoˈnal/

adjectiveA2general
Choose 'tradicional' to describe customs, methods, or dishes that follow long-established practices or are typical of a region, which can sometimes be seen as unoriginal.
A single, brightly colored ceramic bowl decorated with intricate, repeating traditional folk patterns, symbolizing a long-standing custom or historical craft.

Examples

La paella es un plato tradicional de España.

Paella is a traditional dish from Spain.

Mi abuela sigue las recetas tradicionales para el pan.

My grandmother follows the traditional recipes for bread.

Ellos tienen un estilo de vida muy tradicional.

They have a very traditional lifestyle.

Always Fits the Noun's Number

Like many Spanish adjectives, 'tradicional' must agree in number (singular or plural) with the thing it describes. Since it ends in '-l', you add '-es' to make it plural: 'tradicional' (singular) vs. 'tradicionales' (plural).

Forgetting the Plural Ending

Mistake: “Las costumbres tradicional.”

Correction: Las costumbres tradicionales. (Remember to add the -es when the noun is plural, even if the adjective doesn't change for gender.)

quedado

keh-DAH-doh/keˈðaðo/

adjectiveB2informal
Use 'quedado' to describe someone or something that is behind the times, whether socially, technologically, or in terms of trends, often implying a lack of modernity.
A small, timid mouse peeking out from behind a large, bright yellow sunflower petal, showing shyness and reservation.

Examples

Mi primo es muy quedado; casi nunca habla en las fiestas.

My cousin is very reserved/shy; he hardly ever speaks at parties.

Ella prefiere quedarse en casa, es un poco quedada.

She prefers to stay at home, she's a bit of a wallflower.

Ese teléfono es tan quedado, ya nadie lo usa.

That phone is so old-fashioned/behind the times, nobody uses it anymore.

Ser vs. Estar

This adjective nearly always uses 'ser' because it describes a permanent personality trait or characteristic: 'Mi hermano es quedado' (My brother is a shy person).

Choosing Between 'Clásico' and 'Tradicional'

Learners often confuse 'clásico' and 'tradicional' when describing things as old-fashioned. Remember, 'clásico' implies timeless elegance and enduring style, usually positive. 'Tradicional' refers to established customs or methods, which can be neutral or even slightly negative if perceived as unoriginal.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.