viejo
adjectiveBeginnerHigh frequency
What does “viejo” mean in English?
old
Example sentences
Mi coche es viejo.
My car is old.
Es un viejo amigo mío.
He's an old friend of mine.
Es un amigo viejo.
He's an elderly friend.
How to use it
Viejo means 'old'. Agrees: viejo/-a/-os/-as. Position matters: 'un viejo amigo' (a long-standing friend) vs 'un amigo viejo' (an elderly friend).
Common mistake
Position changes meaning! Before noun: 'longstanding'. After noun: 'aged'. 'Mi vieja amiga' = my long-time friend; 'mi amiga vieja' = my old (in years) friend.
Topics
Related Beginner words
Reference
This entry’s teaching guidance follows A New Reference Grammar of Modern Spanish (Butt, Benjamin & Moreira Rodríguez, Routledge), 4.