Inklingo

How to Say "old man" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “old man” is “viejo” — use 'viejo' to refer to an elderly man in a general, sometimes informal, context. It can also be used affectionately or even pejoratively depending on tone and relationship..

English → Spanish

viejo

/byeh-ho//'bjexo/

nounA2general
Use 'viejo' to refer to an elderly man in a general, sometimes informal, context. It can also be used affectionately or even pejoratively depending on tone and relationship.
A close-up portrait of an elderly man with gentle eyes, a salt-and-pepper beard, and deeply wrinkled skin, conveying warmth and age.

Examples

Un viejo amable me ayudó a cruzar la calle.

A kind old man helped me cross the street.

Mi viejo siempre cuenta las mejores historias.

My dad (my old man) always tells the best stories.

¡Qué pasa, viejo! ¿Todo bien?

What's up, dude! All good?

Feminine and Plural Forms

As a noun, it also changes for gender and number. 'Una vieja' is an old woman, 'los viejos' can mean 'the old people' or 'one's parents', and 'las viejas' means 'the old women'.

anciano

ahn-SYAH-noh/anˈθjano/

nounA2general
Use 'anciano' to refer to an elderly male person, often emphasizing their age and sometimes their respected status within a community or family.
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.'

abuelo

/ah-BWEH-loh//aˈβwelo/

nounB1general
Use 'abuelo' specifically when referring to a grandfather, but it can also be used more broadly to describe any elderly man, especially if you want to convey a sense of familiarity or warmth.
An elderly man sitting alone on a park bench, wearing a simple jacket and a hat, watching the surroundings.

Examples

Un abuelo simpático me ayudó a cruzar la calle.

A nice old man helped me cross the street.

En el parque, siempre hay un grupo de abuelos jugando a las cartas.

In the park, there's always a group of old men playing cards.

General vs. Specific Meanings

The most common mistake is using 'abuelo' when you simply mean any elderly man, as 'abuelo' primarily means 'grandfather.' While it can be used more generally, 'viejo' or 'anciano' are often safer choices for a non-familial elderly man.

Related Translations

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