personas mayores
/peɾsonas maʝoɾes/from spelling rules
The English phrase "seniors" is translated into Spanish as personas mayores.
The phrase refers to people who are older, typically those who have reached old age or retirement.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of personas (people) and mayores (older/greater in age).
Which one should you use?
While personas mayores is a respectful and common way to say "seniors", the word ancianos can sometimes feel more clinical or emphasize extreme old age.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase follows standard noun-adjective agreement: use persona mayor for a single senior and personas mayores for multiple seniors.
How do you pronounce it?
/peɾsonas maʝoɾes/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using viejos to refer to seniors in a polite context, as it can be perceived as blunt or even rude, whereas personas mayores is the standard polite euphemism.
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, using the word abuelos (grandparents) to address seniors you do not know is often a sign of affection rather than a literal statement of family relation.
- The term tercera edad (third age) is frequently used in official documents and media to refer to the period of life after retirement. It describes the life stage rather than the people themselves.
- The word mayor is also used to describe the 'eldest' child in a family, regardless of whether they are a senior citizen. A ten-year-old can be the hijo mayor if they have younger siblings.
Examples in context
- Este parque es ideal para personas mayores.This park is ideal for seniors.
- El centro ofrece clases para personas mayores.The center offers classes for seniors.
- Debemos respetar a las personas mayores.We must respect seniors.
Example conversation
Sofía and Javier are discussing a new community project.
- SofíaQueremos ayudar a las personas mayores.We want to help seniors.
- Javier¿Qué actividades podemos organizar, Sofía?What activities can we organize, Sofía?
- SofíaPodemos hacer clases de tecnología.We can have technology classes.
- JavierEs una idea excelente, Javier.That is an excellent idea, Javier.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
