Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| de la vieja escuela | /de la bjexa eskwela/ (from spelling rules) |
| de vieja escuela | /de bjexa eskwela/ (from spelling rules) |
| pasadista | /pasadista/ (from spelling rules) |
| a la antigua | /a la anˈtiɡwa/ |
| chapado a la antigua | /t͡ʃapado a la antiɡwa/ (from spelling rules) |
Spanish uses different expressions to convey the concept of 'old school' depending on whether you are describing a person's character, a specific method or a way of thinking from a previous era. The noun vieja escuela refers to the group of people themselves or the specific style or method employed in a former era.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase de la vieja escuela is a literal translation of 'of the old school', where vieja means old and escuela means school.
Which one should you use?
The choice of phrase depends on what you are describing: a la antigua is often used to describe a method or manner of doing something (the old-fashioned way), while de la vieja escuela is more frequently used to describe a person's character or a specific style. If you want to describe someone's behavior or principles as being traditional, you can use the idiom chapado a la antigua. In contrast, pasadista carries a more negative, pejorative connotation of being stuck in the past or being outdated compared to the more neutral de la vieja escuela.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the expression A la antigua usanza is frequently heard as a variation of a la antigua.
Related words
When do people say it?
The phrase A la vieja usanza is used to describe individuals who follow traditional customs or old-fashioned values.
Did you know?
- While de la vieja escuela is a literal translation of 'old school', the phrase chapado a la antigua uses the verb chapar, which means 'to plate' or 'to cover' in metalwork.
- The word escuela actually traces its roots back to the Ancient Greek word skholḗ, which originally meant 'leisure' or 'spare time'.
- Depending on the region, using a la antigua can refer specifically to traditional culinary methods, such as a certain way of curing meats or preparing sauces.
Examples in context
- Mi abuela cocina a la antigua, sin usar ninguna de las nuevas tecnologías culinariasMy grandma cooks old school, without using any of the new culinary technologies
- Esta bodega elabora vino en el más puro estilo tradicionalThis winery makes wine in the purest old school style
- Juan lleva trajes a la vieja usanza, siempre bien pulcros y elegantesJuan dresses old school, always neat and elegant
- En este restaurante cocinan los platos a la vieja usanza, sin atajosIn this restaurant, they cook dishes old school, without shortcuts
- En mi familia seguimos festejando Navidad a la usanza de nuestros abuelosIn my family, we still celebrate Christmas old school, following our grandparents' traditions
- Ellos bailan flamenco a la antigua usanza, con pasión y eleganciaThey dance flamenco old school, with passion and elegance
- Mi abuelo es muy a la antigua, siempre es educado y consideradoMy grandpa is very old school, always polite and considerate
- Su método de enseñanza es de la vieja escuela.His teaching method is old school.
- Él tiene un estilo de vestir de la vieja escuela.He has an old school style of dressing.
- Prefiero la música de la vieja escuela.I prefer old school music.
Example conversation
Elena and Mateo are discussing how to organize their notes.
- ElenaEscribo todo a mano, soy de la vieja escuela.I write everything by hand, I'm old school.
- MateoYo prefiero usar una aplicación en mi tablet.I prefer using an app on my tablet.
- ElenaEl papel es más fiable que la tecnología.Paper is more reliable than technology.
- MateoTienes razón, pero es mucho más lento.You're right, but it's much slower.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “old school” translations and entries pasadista, a la antigua, chapado a la antigua, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, de, escuela, la, vieja, CC BY-SA 4.0.
