vieja
Having lived for a long time; elderly (female).
vieja em 30 segundos
- Means 'old' for feminine nouns.
- Changes meaning based on placement.
- Can be slang for mother/wife.
- Must agree in gender and number.
Mi abuela es una mujer muy vieja.
- Usage with Objects
- When applied to objects, it simply means the object is not new, has been used extensively, or was created a long time ago.
Esa silla está muy vieja.
- Emotional Connection
- Sometimes, calling an object old implies a sense of endearment or nostalgia, rather than just physical decay.
Tengo una vieja guitarra en mi habitación.
- Colloquial Noun Usage
- In some Latin American countries, it is used affectionately to refer to one's mother or wife, though this requires cultural context to avoid misunderstanding.
Voy a visitar a mi vieja este fin de semana.
La ropa de esa tienda es muy vieja.
- Gender Agreement
- The adjective must end in -a when modifying feminine nouns like casa, mujer, or ciudad.
La ciudad es muy vieja.
- Pluralization
- Add an -s to the end of the word to make it plural when modifying plural feminine nouns.
Las casas en este barrio son viejas.
Ella es una amiga vieja.
- Adjective Placement
- Placing the adjective before the noun changes the meaning from elderly to long-standing or former.
Ella es una vieja amiga.
La mesa está vieja y rota.
Esta televisión ya está muy vieja.
- Affectionate Slang
- In informal contexts, it is commonly used to refer to one's mother or romantic partner with great affection.
Mi vieja cocina la mejor comida del mundo.
- Idiomatic Expressions
- The word is embedded in many fixed phrases that convey traditional wisdom or common life situations.
Esa es una historia muy vieja.
- Musical Contexts
- Lyrics often use the word to describe old neighborhoods, old loves, or the singer's mother.
Adiós, mi vieja guitarra.
La vieja escuela de pensamiento.
- Gender Mismatch
- Using the masculine ending -o for a feminine noun is a classic beginner error that immediately marks the speaker as a novice.
Incorrecto: La casa es viejo. Correcto: La casa es vieja.
- Placement Errors
- Putting the adjective in the wrong position can lead to awkward social situations, especially when talking about friends.
Cuidado: Una amiga vieja (elderly) vs. Una vieja amiga (long-time).
- Politeness and Register
- Failing to use respectful alternatives when addressing seniors can cause unintended offense.
Es mejor decir: Una señora mayor, en lugar de una mujer vieja.
Una civilización antigua, no una civilización vieja.
No uses mi vieja en contextos formales o de negocios.
- Mayor
- Used as a respectful way to describe an elderly person, avoiding the bluntness of the target word.
Mi vecina es una persona mayor, no vieja.
- Anciana
- A more formal and specific term for an elderly woman, often used in literature or formal reports.
La vieja historia fue contada por una sabia anciana.
- Antigua
- Best used for historical artifacts, ancient ruins, or valuable antiques.
Es una moneda antigua, no solo una moneda vieja.
La camisa está gastada y vieja.
Esa es una idea anticuada y vieja.
How Formal Is It?
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Nível de dificuldade
Gramática essencial
Exemplos por nível
La casa es vieja.
The house is old.
Feminine singular agreement with 'casa'.
Mi abuela es vieja.
My grandmother is old.
Used with a feminine person.
La ropa es vieja.
The clothes are old.
'Ropa' is a feminine singular noun.
La ciudad es vieja.
The city is old.
Describes a place.
La mesa es vieja.
The table is old.
Feminine object.
La silla es vieja.
The chair is old.
Basic description.
La gata es vieja.
The cat (female) is old.
Animal description.
La foto es vieja.
The photo is old.
'Foto' is feminine (short for fotografía).
Las casas son viejas.
The houses are old.
Plural agreement.
La camisa está vieja.
The shirt is worn out.
Using 'estar' for condition.
Tengo una bicicleta vieja.
I have an old bicycle.
Adjective after the noun.
Ella no es joven, es vieja.
She is not young, she is old.
Contrast with antonym.
Las botas están viejas.
The boots are old/worn.
Plural with 'estar'.
Es una historia vieja.
It's an old story.
Abstract noun.
Mi computadora está vieja.
My computer is old.
Technology description.
Las revistas son viejas.
The magazines are old.
Plural objects.
Ella es una vieja amiga mía.
She is an old (long-time) friend of mine.
Adjective before noun changes meaning.
Voy a visitar a mi vieja.
I am going to visit my mom/wife.
Colloquial noun usage.
Esa es una vieja costumbre.
That is an old custom.
Cultural concept.
La vieja escuela de pensamiento.
The old school of thought.
Idiomatic phrase.
Tengo una vieja herida que me duele.
I have an old wound that hurts.
Physical condition.
Es un cuento de viejas.
It's an old wives' tale.
Fixed expression.
Mi vieja me enseñó a cocinar.
My old lady (mom) taught me to cook.
Slang for mother.
Una vieja canción de amor.
An old love song.
Nostalgic context.
A pesar de ser una idea vieja, funciona.
Despite being an old idea, it works.
Complex sentence structure.
La vieja guardia del partido político.
The old guard of the political party.
Political/social terminology.
Siente una vieja nostalgia por su país.
He feels an old nostalgia for his country.
Abstract emotion.
Es una rencilla vieja entre las familias.
It's an old quarrel between the families.
Advanced vocabulary pairing.
La vieja Europa tiene mucha historia.
Old Europe has a lot of history.
Geopolitical reference.
Una vieja deuda que nunca se pagó.
An old debt that was never paid.
Financial/abstract concept.
La vieja confiable nunca falla.
The old reliable never fails.
Modern colloquialism.
Adoptó una actitud de vieja chismosa.
She adopted the attitude of an old gossip.
Descriptive stereotype.
Es más vieja que el hilo negro.
It's older than black thread (very old).
Advanced idiom.
La vieja usanza dicta que debemos esperar.
The old custom dictates that we must wait.
Formal/literary phrasing.
Una vieja rencorosa que vive en la colina.
A spiteful old woman who lives on the hill.
Literary description.
Las viejas glorias del deporte nacional.
The old glories of the national sport.
Journalistic style.
Se aferra a sus viejas convicciones.
He clings to his old convictions.
Abstract psychological state.
Una vieja herencia cultural que preservar.
An old cultural heritage to preserve.
Academic context.
La vieja dama indigna de la novela.
The unworthy old lady of the novel.
Literary reference.
Viejas rencillas afloraron en la reunión.
Old quarrels surfaced at the meeting.
Advanced verb pairing.
La etimología de la palabra vieja revela su origen latino.
The etymology of the word vieja reveals its Latin origin.
Linguistic analysis.
En el lunfardo, 'vieja' adquiere matices insospechados.
In Lunfardo, 'vieja' acquires unsuspected nuances.
Sociolinguistic context.
La vieja aristocracia terrateniente perdió su poder.
The old landowning aristocracy lost its power.
Historical/sociological discourse.
Un tropo literario recurrente es la vieja sabia.
A recurring literary trope is the wise old woman.
Literary criticism.
Las viejas estructuras de poder se desmoronan.
The old power structures are crumbling.
Political analysis.
Una vieja querella ontológica divide a los filósofos.
An old ontological quarrel divides the philosophers.
Philosophical context.
El uso peyorativo de 'vieja' refleja un sesgo edadista.
The pejorative use of 'vieja' reflects an ageist bias.
Sociological critique.
Resuenan los ecos de una vieja epopeya olvidada.
The echoes of an old forgotten epic resound.
Poetic/highly formal register.
Colocações comuns
Frases Comuns
de la vieja escuela
cuentos de viejas
a la vieja usanza
mi vieja
la vieja confiable
vieja amiga
ropa vieja
ciudad vieja
casa vieja
historia vieja
Frequentemente confundido com
Expressões idiomáticas
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Fácil de confundir
Padrões de frases
Como usar
Avoid using 'vieja' for people in formal writing; use 'anciana' or 'de edad avanzada'.
Extremely common in everyday speech for objects and slang.
- Using 'viejo' for feminine nouns (e.g., 'la casa es viejo').
- Saying 'amiga vieja' when meaning 'long-time friend'.
- Calling an elderly person 'vieja' to their face in a formal setting.
- Forgetting to add 's' for plural feminine nouns (e.g., 'las casas vieja').
- Confusing 'vieja' with 'antigua' when describing historical artifacts.
Dicas
Gender Agreement
Always ensure that the noun you are describing is feminine before using 'vieja'. If it is masculine, you must switch to 'viejo'.
Polite Alternatives
When talking about elderly people, try to use 'mayor' instead of 'vieja' to sound more respectful and polite in formal situations.
Latin American Slang
Don't be surprised if you hear someone say 'mi vieja' to refer to their mother. It is a term of endearment, not an insult.
Adjective Placement
Memorize the phrase 'vieja amiga' (long-time friend) to remember that placing the adjective before the noun changes its meaning.
The 'J' Sound
Practice the Spanish 'j' sound. It should come from the back of the throat, similar to a strong English 'h' or the Scottish 'ch' in 'loch'.
Ser vs. Estar
Use 'ser' for things that are inherently old (like a historical city) and 'estar' for things that look old or worn out (like a pair of shoes).
Ropa Vieja
If you see 'Ropa Vieja' on a menu, don't worry! They aren't serving you old clothes; it's a delicious shredded beef dish.
Pluralization
Don't forget to add the 's' when talking about multiple feminine items. 'Las casas vieja' is incorrect; it must be 'las casas viejas'.
Cuentos de Viejas
Learn the phrase 'cuentos de viejas'. It translates to 'old wives' tales' and is a great idiomatic expression to sound more native.
Memorize
Mnemônico
Imagine a VERY OLD (vieja) female VEGETABLE.
Origem da palavra
Latin
Contexto cultural
'Mi vieja' means 'my mom' in many Latin American countries.
Use 'mayor' instead of 'vieja' for elderly people in formal contexts.
Pratique na vida real
Contextos reais
Iniciadores de conversa
"¿Tienes alguna ropa vieja que quieras donar?"
"¿Cómo está tu vieja (mamá)?"
"¿Prefieres la arquitectura moderna o la vieja?"
"¿Cuál es tu película vieja favorita?"
"¿Tienes una vieja amiga de la infancia?"
Temas para diário
Describe tu posesión más vieja.
Escribe sobre una vieja amiga.
¿Qué significa 'la vieja escuela' para ti?
Describe una casa vieja en tu vecindario.
Escribe sobre una vieja costumbre de tu país.
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasNo, 'vieja' is strictly the feminine form of the adjective. To describe a man or a masculine object, you must use the masculine form, which is 'viejo'. Using 'vieja' for a man is grammatically incorrect and could be confusing.
It can be considered rude or blunt in many contexts, especially formal ones. It is generally more polite to use terms like 'una mujer mayor' (an older woman) or 'una anciana' (an elderly woman) to show respect.
In many Latin American countries, particularly Argentina, Mexico, and Colombia, 'mi vieja' is an affectionate slang term that means 'my mother'. In some contexts, it can also mean 'my wife' or 'my girlfriend', depending on the region.
In Spanish, placing an adjective before the noun often gives it a figurative or subjective meaning. 'Una vieja amiga' means a friend you have known for a long time. 'Una amiga vieja' literally means a friend who is elderly.
To make 'vieja' plural, you simply add an 's' to the end of the word, making it 'viejas'. You must use this form when describing plural feminine nouns, such as 'las casas viejas' (the old houses).
Yes, 'vieja' can function as a noun. For example, 'la vieja' can mean 'the old woman'. However, be cautious as this can sound disrespectful depending on the tone and context.
'Vieja' generally means old in the sense of age, wear, or being long-standing. 'Antigua' usually implies that something is ancient, historical, or an antique. A worn-out shirt is 'vieja', but a Roman ruin is 'antigua'.
You can use both, but the meaning changes slightly. 'Ser vieja' implies a permanent characteristic (e.g., the city is old). 'Estar vieja' implies a condition or state, often due to wear and tear (e.g., the shirt is old/worn out).
While it literally means 'old clothes', 'Ropa Vieja' is also the name of a very famous and delicious traditional Cuban dish made of shredded beef, tomato sauce, onions, and peppers.
In standard Spanish, the letters 'v' and 'b' represent the same sound. Therefore, 'vieja' is pronounced with a soft 'b' sound, like 'bieja'. The 'j' is pronounced like a strong English 'h'.
Teste-se 200 perguntas
Write: The house is old.
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Write: The city is old.
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Write: The table is old.
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Write: The chair is old.
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Write: The clothes are old.
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Write: The houses are old.
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Write: The cities are old.
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Write: The tables are old.
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Write: The chairs are old.
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Write: The photos are old.
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Write: She is a long-time friend.
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Write: I am going to visit my mom (slang).
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Write: It is an old custom.
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Write: The old school.
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Write: Old wives' tales.
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Write: The old guard.
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Write: An old debt.
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Write: Despite being an old idea.
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Write: Older than black thread.
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Write: The old custom dictates.
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Say: The house is old.
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Say: The city is old.
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Say: The table is old.
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Say: The chair is old.
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Say: The clothes are old.
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Say: The houses are old.
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Say: The cities are old.
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Say: The tables are old.
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Say: The chairs are old.
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Say: The photos are old.
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Say: She is a long-time friend.
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Say: I am going to visit my mom (slang).
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Say: It is an old custom.
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Say: The old school.
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Say: Old wives' tales.
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Say: The old guard.
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Say: An old debt.
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Say: Despite being an old idea.
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Say: Older than black thread.
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Say: The old custom dictates.
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Listen and write: La casa es vieja.
Listen and write: La ciudad es vieja.
Listen and write: La mesa es vieja.
Listen and write: Las casas son viejas.
Listen and write: Las ciudades son viejas.
Listen and write: Las mesas son viejas.
Listen and write: Ella es una vieja amiga.
Listen and write: Voy a visitar a mi vieja.
Listen and write: Es una vieja costumbre.
Listen and write: La vieja guardia.
Listen and write: Una vieja deuda.
Listen and write: A pesar de ser una idea vieja.
Listen and write: Más vieja que el hilo negro.
Listen and write: La vieja usanza dicta.
Listen and write: La etimología de la palabra vieja.
/ 200 correct
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Summary
'Vieja' is the feminine form of 'old', but placing it before the noun changes the meaning to 'long-time' (e.g., vieja amiga).
- Means 'old' for feminine nouns.
- Changes meaning based on placement.
- Can be slang for mother/wife.
- Must agree in gender and number.
Gender Agreement
Always ensure that the noun you are describing is feminine before using 'vieja'. If it is masculine, you must switch to 'viejo'.
Polite Alternatives
When talking about elderly people, try to use 'mayor' instead of 'vieja' to sound more respectful and polite in formal situations.
Latin American Slang
Don't be surprised if you hear someone say 'mi vieja' to refer to their mother. It is a term of endearment, not an insult.
Adjective Placement
Memorize the phrase 'vieja amiga' (long-time friend) to remember that placing the adjective before the noun changes its meaning.
Exemplo
Mi abuela es una señora muy vieja, pero tiene mucha energía.
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