How to Say "old-fashioned" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “old-fashioned” is “anticuado” — use this for things, styles, or even people that are out of date or no longer modern.
anticuado
an-tee-KWAH-dohantiˈkwaðo
Examples
Mi abuelo tiene un coche muy anticuado pero funciona bien.
My grandfather has a very old-fashioned car, but it works well.
Ese sistema de archivos es anticuado y lento.
That filing system is outdated and slow.
Algunas personas piensan que enviar cartas es algo anticuado.
Some people think that sending letters is something old-fashioned.
Matching Gender and Number
Since this is a describing word, you must change the ending to match what you are talking about: 'un libro anticuado' (masculine) but 'una idea anticuada' (feminine).
Using Ser vs. Estar
Use 'ser' if being old-fashioned is a permanent trait (like a 1920s house). Use 'estar' if something has simply become out of date over time compared to something else.
Confusing 'Viejo' and 'Anticuado'
Mistake: “Ese teléfono es viejo.”
Correction: Use 'anticuado' if you mean the technology is behind the times. 'Viejo' just means it has existed for a long time.
tradicional
trah-dee-syoh-NALtɾaðisjoˈnal
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.)
clásico
Examples
Ella tiene un estilo clásico que nunca pasa de moda.
She has a classic style that never goes out of fashion.
atrasado
ah-trah-SAH-dohatɾaˈsaðo
Examples
Ese pueblo usa técnicas agrícolas muy atrasadas.
That town uses very underdeveloped farming techniques.
Sus ideas sobre la educación son un poco atrasadas.
His ideas about education are a bit old-fashioned.
Es una zona económicamente atrasada.
It is an economically underdeveloped area.
Using with 'ser'
Unlike the meaning of being 'late' for a meeting, when describing a country or a mindset as 'underdeveloped', we often use 'ser' because we are describing a characteristic or quality.
Sensitivity Note
Mistake: “Using this to describe people's intelligence.”
Correction: Be careful! Calling a person 'atrasado' can be very offensive as it can imply mental disability or being 'slow' in an insulting way. Use it for systems, ideas, or schedules instead.
quedado
keh-DAH-dohkeˈðaðo
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).
fósil
Examples
Mi jefe es un fósil; todavía quiere que usemos fax.
My boss is a fossil; he still wants us to use a fax machine.
Anticuado vs. Tradicional
Related Translations
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