Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| velho | /ˈvɛ.ʎu/ (Brazil) /ˈvɛ.ʎu/ (Portugal) |
masculine |
| idoso | /iˈdo.zu/ (Brazil) /iˈdo.zu/ (Portugal) |
masculine |
| velhote | /veˈʎɔ.t͡ʃi/ (Brazil) /vɛˈʎɔ.tɨ/ (Portugal) |
informal, masculine |
The term velho is used to describe an elderly man. In many Portuguese-speaking cultures, it is also used colloquially to address a friend, functioning similarly to the English slang "dude" or "man". For a more formal way to say "elderly man", you can use the expression homem idoso.
Which one should you use?
velho can range from being quite blunt to being endearing depending on the context. If you wish to express affection or refer to an old man in a more casual, sympathetic way, use the diminutive velhote, which translates closer to "old timer". For polite or formal contexts, such as referring to senior citizens as a social group, use idoso.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
idoso is the polite and respectful term for formal situations. velho is more direct and can be informal or endearing. velhote is an informal way to show affection, while velho can be used as very informal slang to address friends.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazil, the informal term coroa is used to refer to an older man.
How does it change in a sentence?
All provided forms are masculine. To refer to an old woman, change the masculine velho to the feminine velha.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable: /ˈvɛ.ʎu/.
When do people say it?
Calling a friend velho is a common colloquialism used to mean "dude" or "man".
Did you know?
- The term coroa literally translates to 'crown', but in Brazilian Portuguese, it is a common slang term for an older person.
- The Latin root vetus, which is the ancestor of velho, also gave rise to the English word 'veteran'.
- Portuguese speakers may use velho to describe an object that is worn out, but applying it to a person requires a careful shift in tone to avoid being rude.
Examples in context
- Tom é um velho.Tom is an old man.This sentence demonstrates how to use velho to identify someone.Tatoeba #3802141 by Ricardo14, translation #3734758 by CK
- O velho disse algo.The old man said something.This sentence shows velho being used as the subject of a sentence.Tatoeba #1275611 by alexmarcelo, translation #43386 by CK
- O velho mora sozinho.The old man lives by himself.This sentence shows velho as the subject of a sentence describing a living situation.Tatoeba #729239 by lenon_perez, translation #43387 by CK
- Aquele velho é meu avô.That old man is my grandfather.
- Ele é um homem velho, mas cheio de sabedoria.He is an old man, but full of wisdom.
- 76 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Beatriz and Gabriel are talking about their grandfather.
- BeatrizMeu velho é muito engraçado.My old man is very funny.
- GabrielO meu também conta ótimas histórias.Mine tells great stories too.
- BeatrizVocê vai visitar esse velho hoje?Are you visiting that old man today?
- GabrielSim, vou levá-lo para passear.Yes, I'm taking him for a walk.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “old man” translations and entries velho, idoso, velhote, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries idoso, velho, velhote, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
