anziano
/anˈt͡sja.no/masculine
The English word "senior" can be translated into Italian as anziano.
The term is used to describe someone who is older or elderly. A common and polite way to refer to a senior citizen is by using the phrase persona anziana.
Meaning: older (adj)
Which one should you use?
When referring to people, anziano carries a respectful sense of being 'senior' or 'elderly'. This is different from vecchio, which means 'old' and can be perceived as more blunt or even rude.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word changes based on gender and number: anziana is the feminine form, anziani is the masculine plural and anziane is the feminine plural.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /anˈtsja.no/. It has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- Unlike English where 'senior' can refer to a final year student in high school, anziano is never used for students. An Italian student in their final year is called l'ultimo anno.
- In Italian administration and law, the term terza età (third age) is frequently used instead of anziani to refer to senior citizens. This frames old age as a new stage of life rather than a state of decline.
- While anziano is respectful, calling someone vecchio is often seen as a direct insult or too blunt. However, in very close friendships, vecchio can be used as an affectionate term similar to 'old pal'.
Examples in context
- È un anziano.He's a senior.This sentence is useful for identifying a senior using anziano.Tatoeba #6034460 by Guybrush88, translation #1634464 by Spamster
- Ha lasciato il posto dov'era seduta a un signore anziano.She gave her seat to a senior citizen.This sentence is useful for describing giving a seat to an anziano.Tatoeba #711320 by Heracleum, translation #388468 by CK
- Nonnino, hai voglia di una passeggiata nel parco?Grandpa, would you like to take a walk in the park?
- Quell'uomo anziano vive da solo.That elderly man lives alone.
Example conversation
Sofia and Alessandro are walking in a park.
- SofiaVedi quell'uomo anziano sulla panchina?Do you see that elderly man on the bench?
- AlessandroSì, sembra molto tranquillo.Yes, he seems very peaceful.
- SofiaAlessandro, credo che abbia bisogno di aiuto.Alessandro, I think he needs help.
- AlessandroHai ragione, andiamo da lui.You are right, let's go to him.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “senior” translations and entries anziano, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
