Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| adulto mayor | /aˌdulto maˈʝoɾ/ | masculine |
| sénior | /ˈsenjoɾ/ | feminine, masculine |
The term is used to refer to an old person.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase adulto mayor literally translates to 'older adult'.
Which one should you use?
adulto mayor is the standard term for a single male senior citizen. To refer to a group, you can use personas mayores to mean 'older people'. The term sénior can be used as either a masculine or feminine noun.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For formal or official contexts, you can use adulto mayor, persona de la tercera edad or persona anciana. The term anciano is also a common formal or neutral way to say 'elderly person'.
How does it change in a sentence?
To refer to a female senior citizen, change the masculine adulto mayor to the feminine adulta mayor.
How do you pronounce it?
/aˌdulto maˈʝoɾ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using viejo to refer to a person directly, as it can sound blunt or disrespectful compared to the polite adulto mayor.
Did you know?
- Calling someone abuelo or abuela as a gesture of respect is common even if the person is not your actual grandparent.
- The word sénior is a doublet of señor, meaning they both evolved from the same Latin root senior but entered the language through different paths.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, the term la tercera edad literally means 'the third age', viewing old age as a distinct and final stage of life.
Examples in context
- Las necesidades de las personas de la tercera edad deben ser atendidas debidamente.The needs of senior citizens must be properly addressed.
- El gobierno implementó programas para ayudar a los adultos mayores.The government implemented programs to help older adults.
- Deberíamos escuchar y respetar las opiniones de las personas mayores.We should listen to and respect the opinions of older people.
- Los adultos mayores merecen disfrutar de su jubilación plenamente.Senior citizens deserve to enjoy their retirement fully.
- Aquel adulto mayor camina por el parque.That senior citizen walks through the park.
- Es importante respetar al adulto mayor.It is important to respect the senior citizen.
- El adulto mayor necesita ayuda con las bolsas.The senior citizen needs help with the bags.
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are talking about a neighbor at a bus stop.
- Lucía¿Viste al nuevo vecino?Did you see the new neighbor?
- MateoSí, es un adulto mayor muy amable.Yes, he is a very kind senior citizen.
- LucíaÉl siempre saluda a todos.He always greets everyone.
- MateoEs un hombre muy educado.He is a very polite man.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “senior citizen” translations and entries adulto mayor, sénior, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries adulto, mayor, sénior, CC BY-SA 4.0.
