Spanish Conversation · Level 105
60 words
Spanish word
viejecito
Pronunciation
IPA/bjexeˈθito/
Meaning
- masculine nounold man
Example
Le ofrecí mi asiento al viejecito en el autobús.
I offered my seat to the old man on the bus.
More examples
El viejecito contó historias de su juventud en el parque.
The little old man told stories of his youth in the park.
Core concept
Colloquial snapshot of an older gentleman seen affectionately.
Common phrases
cuidar al viejecito
look after the little old man
hablar con el viejecito
speak with the little old man
respetar al viejecito
show respect to the little old man
Similar words
viejo: Common, neutral word for an older person in everyday speech.
viejito: Casual diminutive expressing fondness when referring to an elderly person.
anciano: Polite, formal word for an elderly person in formal speech or writing.
abuelito: Tender familial term for a grandfather or grandmother, used affectionately.
Definition in Spanish
Forma coloquial y diminutiva de 'viejo' usada para nombrar a una persona mayor, con matiz afectuoso, familiar o condescendiente según el contexto.
Word origin
Built from viejo plus the diminutive -ito, where viejo comes from Latin vetus 'old', and the suffix signals affection or diminishment depending on tone and context.
Usage tips
- Has a feminine counterpart viejecita and plural viejecitos, and using it to address an unfamiliar elder risks sounding disrespectful.