Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| vejestorio | /bexesˈtoɾjo/ | |
| viejales | /bjexales/ (from spelling rules) | |
| carcamal (despective) | colloquial, masculine | |
| vejete | /beˈxete/ | affective, masculine |
| viejarrón (despective) | masculine | |
| vejarrón (despective) | masculine | |
| vetarro | /betaro/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| viejurgo | /bjexuɾɡo/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
These terms are used to refer to an old person, particularly a male. While some forms are used to mock or dismiss an elderly person, others can be used affectionately.
Which one should you use?
The forms vary significantly in tone. vejestorio is typically used in a dismissive or slightly mocking way. For a more negative or insulting tone, you can use the despective terms carcamal, viejarrón or vejarrón. In contrast, vejete is an affective term. The term viejales is slang, while vetarro, viejurgo and carcamal are masculine forms.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The available words are mostly informal. viejales is considered slang, and carcamal is colloquial. vejestorio is an informal way to describe an old person. If you want to express affection, you might use the diminutive viejito, which is similar to calling someone an 'old-timer'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The slang term viejales can be used in the plural to refer to multiple old men.
How do you pronounce it?
/bexesˈtoɾjo/
Did you know?
- While calling someone 'old' might seem rude, in many Spanish-speaking cultures, calling a father or grandfather viejo is actually a sign of deep intimacy and affection.
- The word carcamal can describe not only a person but also an object that is so old it has become useless or dilapidated.
- The suffix in viejarrón is an augmentative that does not just make the person 'bigger' or 'older' but adds a layer of contempt.
Examples in context
- No me puedo creer que se vaya a casar con el vejestorio ese.I can't believe she's going to marry that old geezer.This sentence shows how to use vejestorio to refer to an old person in a dismissive manner.Tatoeba #13222275 by frpzzd, translation #13222276 by frpzzd
- ¿Quieres venir a jugar al dominó, viejito?Do you want to come and play dominoes, old-timer?
- Ese vejestorio siempre cuenta las mismas historias.That geezer always tells the same stories.
- El vejestorio del parque juega al ajedrez.The geezer in the park plays chess.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Lucía are walking through a local park.
- AlejandroMira a ese vejestorio sentado en el banco.Look at that geezer sitting on the bench.
- LucíaParece un hombre muy solitario, Alejandro.He looks like a very lonely man, Alejandro.
- AlejandroQuizás solo está esperando a un amigo.Maybe he is just waiting for a friend.
- LucíaEs probable, pero se ve algo triste.That's possible, but he looks a bit sad.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “geezer” translations and entries vejestorio, viejales, vejete, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
