vecchio
/ˈvɛk.kjo/
The Italian word for old is vecchio.
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)
Which one should you use?
The placement of vecchio changes its meaning. When placed before a noun, it often functions to mean 'former' (for example, 'my former friend'). When placed after the noun, it emphasizes the actual age of the person or object.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender with the noun it modifies, so use vecchia for feminine nouns. The masculine plural form of the adjective is vecchi. The feminine plural form of the adjective is vecchie.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables and the stress is on the first syllable: /ˈvɛk.kjo/.
Did you know?
- The word vecchio traces its roots back to the Latin word 'vitulus', which actually meant 'bull calf'.
- The feminine form vecchia can be used as a slang term to refer to a wife or girlfriend, similar to how an English speaker might say 'the old lady'.
- While vecchio describes age, the word antico is used for 'old' things that are historic or ancient, such as 'ancient Rome'.
Examples in context
- Tom è un vecchio.Tom is an old man.This sentence shows how to use vecchio to refer to an old man.Tatoeba #3803225 by Guybrush88, translation #3734758 by CK
- Il pane è vecchio.The bread is old.This sentence shows how to use vecchio to describe old bread.Tatoeba #11095801 by Guybrush88, translation #5347033 by CarpeLanam
- È vecchio e brutto.He's old and ugly.This sentence shows how to use vecchio to describe someone's age and appearance.Tatoeba #2279768 by Guybrush88, translation #2220969 by Hybrid
- Il vecchio signoreThe old gentleman
- La vecchia casaThe old house
- Un antico castelloAn ancient castle
- Una bicicletta anticaAn old bicycle
- Una persona anzianaAn old person
- Il nonno è un vecchietto simpaticoGrandpa is a nice old man
- La vecchietta ha un gattoThe old lady has a cat
- Il segreto per vivere a lungo è accettare la vecchiaiaThe secret to a long life is accepting old age
- I miei jeans preferiti sono rovinatiMy favorite jeans are worn-out
- Suo nonno è un uomo molto vecchio.Her grandfather is a very old man.
- Quel palazzo è un edificio antico.That building is an old structure.
- Mia bisnonna è un'anziana molto dolce.My great-grandmother is a very sweet old lady.
- 662 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lorenzo and Giulia are looking at a family photograph.
- LorenzoChi è quest'uomo nella foto?Who is this man in the photo?
- GiuliaÈ mio nonno, è molto vecchio.It is my grandfather, he is very old.
- LorenzoSembra molto saggio.He looks very wise.
- GiuliaSì, è il più vecchio della famiglia.Yes, he is the oldest in the family.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “old” translations and entries vecchio, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries vecchio, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
