German word

Alte

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈaltə/

Meaning

  • noun (m./f.)the elderly

Example

Die Alten brauchen oft Hilfe.

The elderly often need help.

Illustration for Alte (the elderly)

More examples

Im Supermarkt hilft er oft den Alten.

In the supermarket, he often helps the elderly.

Core concept

Older people standing together as a recognizable community, while the context can focus on one older individual.

Common phrases

  • die Alten

    the elderly

  • den Alten helfen

    help the elderly

  • mit den Alten sprechen

    speak with the elderly

Similar words

Ältere: A broad term for older people or individual older adults.
ältere Person: A polite term for an older person, suitable in public or first meetings.
Senior: An older person of retirement age or near it.
Rentner: An older person who has retired and receives a pension.

Definition in German

Substantivierte Form von 'alt', die meist die Gruppe älterer Menschen (die Alten) bezeichnet und in der Umgangssprache auch eine einzelne ältere Person bezeichnen kann.

Word origin

Capitalization turns the adjective alt into the noun Alte, while its inherited Germanic base goes back through Old High German alt and belongs to the same family as English old.

Usage tips

  • The plural die Alten normally refers to older people collectively, whereas der Alte or die Alte can refer to one person and may sound familiar or blunt.

Opposites

Related words

  • Altenheimretirement homenoun
  • Altenpflegergeriatric nursenoun
  • Altenpflegeelderly carenoun

Word lists with this word