What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of personnes (people) and âgées (aged/elderly).
Which one should you use?
While personnes âgées is the standard and respectful way to refer to seniors, the anglicism les seniors is frequently used in administrative, commercial or marketing contexts, such as in the term tarifs seniors.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Personnes âgées is a formal and respectful way to refer to seniors. In contrast, les seniors is often used in marketing or commercial contexts. You should avoid using les vieux to mean seniors in polite conversation, as it can sound blunt or disrespectful compared to the more neutral personnes âgées.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, the expression Les personnes du quatrième âge is used to mean people of the fourth age.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase must agree in gender and number: use personne âgée for a single person and personnes âgées for multiple people.
Did you know?
- In Quebec, the expression les personnes du quatrième âge identifies a specific subgroup of seniors who require more care, whereas the 'third age' refers to active retirees.
- While personnes âgées is the polite standard, some French speakers use the euphemism nos aînés meaning 'our elders' to convey a sense of familial respect and wisdom.
- The word vieux is so potent that using it as a noun for people can sound like an insult, but using it as an adjective for an object often implies it is 'vintage' or 'classic'.
Examples in context
- La municipalité aide les personnes âgées à rester actives en organisant des activités sociales.The municipality assists senior citizens in staying active by organizing social activities.
- Je rends visite à mes aînés tous les dimanches.I visit my elders every Sunday.
- Ce parc est très apprécié des personnes âgées.This park is very much appreciated by seniors.
- Il faut proposer des activités pour les personnes âgées.We must propose activities for seniors.
- Le centre accueille de nombreuses personnes âgées.The center welcomes many seniors.
Example conversation
Hugo and Emma are discussing a new community project.
- HugoOn devrait organiser un cours pour les personnes âgées.We should organize a class for seniors.
- EmmaC'est une excellente idée, Hugo !That is an excellent idea, Hugo!
- HugoQue penses-tu d'un cours d'informatique ?What do you think of a computer class?
- EmmaLes personnes âgées vont adorer ça.The seniors will love that.
