vieux
/vjø/
The French word for 'old' when referring to a living being is vieux.
The term is used to describe a living being that has lived for relatively many years.
Meaning: of a living being: having lived for relatively many years (adj)
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
To describe someone's age in a formal way, you can use âgé(e). In contrast, if you want to describe someone as 'old' in a friendly and lighthearted, colloquial manner, you can use pépère or mémère.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective changes depending on the gender and number of the noun it describes. The masculine singular is vieux, and the masculine plural form is also vieux. For masculine nouns starting with a vowel or a silent h, use the form vieil. The feminine singular form is vieille, the feminine plural is vieilles and the masculine plural remains vieux.
How do you pronounce it?
/vjø/
When do people say it?
The phrase mon vieux is used as an informal, friendly way to address a male friend, similar to 'old chap' or 'buddy' in English.
Did you know?
- The word vieux descends from the Latin vetulus, which was a diminutive form meaning 'little old one'.
- In French, the expression vieux jeu describes someone or something that is 'old-fashioned' or 'outdated' rather than just aged.
- While vieux describes age, the word ancien is used for 'old' when referring to a previous status or a former role, such as mon ancien professeur.
Examples in context
- Il se fait vieux.He is getting old.This sentence shows how to use vieux to say someone is getting old.Tatoeba #133547 by Aiji, translation #304913 by CK
- Salut mon vieux !Hello, old friend!This sentence demonstrates using vieux as an informal greeting for a friend.Tatoeba #1551225 by sacredceltic, translation #1549913 by miflhanc
- Je me fais vieux.I'm getting old.This sentence shows the reflexive use of the verb with vieux to say one is getting old.Tatoeba #4585929 by sacredceltic, translation #1619683 by Spamster
- Un ancien bâtimentAn old building
- Les anciens habitantsThe old inhabitants
- Une vieille dameAn old lady
- Un vieux monsieurAn old gentleman
- Un homme âgéAn old man
- Une femme âgéeAn old woman
- Un vieux copainAn old buddy
- Une vieille connaissanceAn old acquaintance
- Salut, pépère ! Comment ça va ?Hey, old buddy! How's it going?
- Arrête de dire ça, mémère !Stop saying that, old lady!
- Elle est d'un certain âge, mais pleine de vitalité.She's of a certain age but full of vitality.
- Il est d'un certain âge maintenant, mais il est toujours aussi dynamique.He's of a certain age now, but he's still as dynamic as ever.
- Ce moulin est vétuste, il faudrait le rénover.This mill is old, it needs to be renovated.
- 595 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Chloé are looking at a photo of an old man.
- NathanCe vieux monsieur est très gentil.This old gentleman is very kind.
- ChloéOui, il a l'air très sage.Yes, he looks very wise.
- NathanEst-ce que c'est ton grand-père ?Is that your grandfather?
- ChloéNon, c'est un voisin.No, it is a neighbor.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “old” translations and entries vieux, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries vieux, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
