In the Portuguese language, there are various ways to express the concept of “old.” Whether you want to refer to something or someone as old in a formal or informal context, this guide will provide you with all the necessary knowledge. It’s worth mentioning that there might be some regional variations, but we’ll focus primarily on the most widely used terms and expressions.
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Formal Ways to Say “Old”
If you’re looking for a formal way to describe something as old, here are a few commonly used words and phrases:
1. Antigo
The term “antigo” is the most straightforward and commonly used word to convey “old” formally. It can be used to describe objects, buildings, or historical periods. For example:
A igreja é antiga. (The church is old.)
Esse livro é muito antigo. (This book is very old.)
A era antiga é fascinante. (The ancient era is fascinating.)
2. Velho
“Velho” is another formal word used to express “old” in Portuguese. However, it is most commonly applied when referring to people or living beings. Take a look at these examples:
Meu avô é um homem velho. (My grandfather is an old man.)
A senhora parece ser velha. (The lady seems to be old.)
3. Envelhecido
The term “envelhecido” is used to describe something as “aged” or “ancient.” It often implies a certain level of deterioration due to the passage of time. Here are some instances of its usage:
Essa fotografia parece estar envelhecida. (This photograph seems to be aged.)
Os móveis estão envelhecidos, mas ainda são bonitos. (The furniture is aged, but still beautiful.)
Informal Ways to Say “Old”
When conversing in a more informal setting, Portuguese offers several options to express “old.” Here are some widely used terms:
1. Velhote/Velhota
These diminutive forms of “velho” are colloquially used to refer to an “old man” (velhote) or an “old woman” (velhota) in an affectionate or friendly manner. It should be used with caution, as some people may find it offensive depending on the context:
O meu avô é um bravo velhote. (My grandfather is a brave old man.)
A velhota é simpática e bem-humorada. (The old woman is nice and humorous.)
2. Coroa
“Coroa” is a slang term commonly used in Brazil to refer to someone older, especially when speaking about middle-aged or elderly individuals:
Aquele senhor é um coroa muito ativo. (That man is a very active middle-aged person.)
A coroa está sempre presente nas reuniões da comunidade. (The elderly woman is always present at community meetings.)
Additional Tips and Examples
Here are some extra tips and examples to enhance your understanding of how to say “old” in Portuguese:
- 1. Age Indication: When specifying a person’s age, the word “anos” (years) is commonly used. For example, “Ele tem cinquenta anos” means “He is fifty years old.”
- 2. Ancient: To refer to something extremely old or ancient, you can use the word “antiquíssimo.” For instance, “Esse artefato é antiquíssimo” translates to “This artifact is extremely ancient.”
- 3. Regional Variations: While we have focused on the most commonly used terms, it’s worth noting that some regions may use different expressions to convey “old.” If you encounter any regional variations, embrace them as cultural diversity.
Remember, the context and relationship with the person or object can influence the choice of word. Always be mindful of how your words may be perceived by others.
To sum up, learning how to say “old” in Portuguese allows you to better express yourself and understand conversations related to age in a respectful and inclusive way. Practice using these words and phrases so you can confidently communicate in various situations.
