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How to Say "to age" in Spanish

English → Spanish

envejecer

en-be-he-SEHRenbexeˈθer

verbB1general
Use this word to describe the natural process of a person or living thing getting older over time.
A side-by-side illustration of a small green seedling and a large, mature oak tree with a thick trunk and wide canopy.

Examples

Todos vamos a envejecer algún día.

We are all going to grow old one day.

Este vino ha envejecido muy bien en la bodega.

This wine has aged very well in the cellar.

Las preocupaciones pueden envejecer a una persona prematuramente.

Worries can make a person age prematurely.

The 'ZC' Change

For words ending in -ecer, like this one, when you say 'I' (yo) in the present, the 'c' changes to 'zc'. So it is 'envejezco,' not 'envejeço'.

Action vs. State

Spanish uses this verb to describe the process of getting older. To describe the state of being old, just use 'ser viejo'.

Avoid 'Hacerse viejo' in formal writing

Mistake: “Mi abuelo se está haciendo viejo.”

Correction: Mi abuelo está envejeciendo.

curar

koo-RAHRkuˈɾaɾ

verbB2culinary
Use this word when referring to the process of preserving or maturing food or drink, such as cheese, wine, or ham, over a period of time.
A storybook illustration showing several large cuts of meat hanging inside a rustic smokehouse, being cured by smoke.

Examples

El jamón serrano debe curarse durante muchos meses.

Serrano ham must be cured for many months.

Están curando el queso en una cueva fría.

They are aging the cheese in a cold cave.

Aging People vs. Aging Food

The most common mistake is using 'envejecer' for food or drink that needs to mature. Remember, 'envejecer' is for living beings getting older, while 'curar' is for the specific process of aging food and beverages to improve them.

Related Translations

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