la vieja
Latin America, informal
In Spanish slang, a person's mother is often called la vieja or mi vieja, and in Mexico mi jefa. These are affectionate when said about your own mother. It is also called La señora.
Meaning: mother or older woman, informal (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| la vieja | Latin America, informal |
| La señora | neutral |
| Mi jefa | Mexico, informal |
Mi vieja me hizo la comida is a warm way to say that your mom cooked for you. Some speakers also use la vieja for a wife or girlfriend.
Which one should you use?
Mi jefa is the female version of mi jefe and means roughly "my boss", used lovingly for a mom. Said about a stranger, la vieja can sound rude.
Is it said differently in some regions?
La vieja is widespread in Latin America, especially in Argentina and Mexico. In Spain people more often say mi madre.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid calling someone else's mother or an elderly stranger vieja, because it can offend. A polite option is señora.
Did you know?
- The same word vieja is used with love in many songs and everyday talk across Latin America, even though it literally means "old".
Examples in context
- Mi vieja cocina muy rico.My old lady cooks really well.
- Mi jefa me llamó para saber cómo estoy.My mom called me to ask how I am.
- Le dije a la señora que pasara.I told the lady to come in.
Example conversation
Tomás tells his friend Julián why he has to leave early.
- TomásMe voy temprano, mi vieja me espera.I am leaving early, my mom is waiting for me.
- Julián¿Está todo bien?Is everything all right?
- TomásSí, hoy cumple años.Yes, it is her birthday today.
